A note from Sarah

Four steps to building a habit: 1. Cue: The cue triggers your brain to initiate a behavior. It is a bit of information that predict a reward. Your mind is continuously analyzing your internal and external environment for hints of where rewards are located. Because the cue is the first indication that we're close to a reward, it naturally leads to a craving. 2. Craving: Cravings are the motivational force behind every habit. Without some level of motivation or desire-without craving a change—we have no reason to act. 3. Response: The response is the actual habit you perform, which can take the form of a thought or an action. 4. Reward: The response delivers a reward. Rewards are the end goal of every habit. The cue is about noticing the reward. The craving is about wanting the reward. The response is about obtaining the reward. We chase rewards because they serve two purposes: (1) they satisfy us and (2) they teach us.

Sarah Atomic Habits, page 47 · January 25, 2025 Save to shelf
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