We all have habits that are good for us, and some not so good.  The good news is that bad habits can be eliminated and good habits can be developed.  In Charles Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business, the incredible impact of habits on business is revealed in a fashion that helps the reader to understand why habits are important, (the good ones), and how developing the right habits ensure automatic success.

The information from The Power of Habit that you can apply to your business today boils down to three key points:

• Recognizing your habits
• Developing good habits
• Don’t sweat the bad habits

The crux of Duhigg’s book is that we create and maintain habits to conserve mental energy so we can think about more complex and difficult issues.  

One of the examples Duhigg uses is that of our morning routine.  Do we shower first then brush our teeth?  Or do we brush and then shower?  The point is that we really don’t even think about it because it is a habit.  Our thoughts during the morning are on other things while we work our habits.

There are great examples in The Power of Habit like what Michael Phelps does in preparing to swim for the Olympics and how Starbucks makes customer service a habit. All come back to three key points that are worth remembering.  

The Habit Loop

The Habit Loop is extremely simple and consists of a cue, a routine, and a reward.   The “cue” is the film on your teeth in the morning.  The “routine” is the brushing of your teeth, and the “reward” is the clean, minty feeling that you have.  Obviously, bigger and more significant habits come into play, but all follow the same pattern.  Knowing and recognizing the Habit Loop is the first step in developing great habits that lead to success.

Key Point: Recognize all your habits, both good and bad and strive to understand why they exist.  What is the cue, routine, and reward?

Build Habits through Repetition

Duhigg states in the book that one way a behavior can become habitual is through repetition.  If we acquire a bad habit this way it is very hard to change, because its grooves are so well worn in our minds.  We have to painstakingly practice a better response that wears a new groove.

Duhigg uses legendary NFL coach, Tony Dungy, as an example of success using habits.  Dungy taught his players a small number of important moves they could perform without thinking, even at the most crucial point in a game.  He didn’t invent a new system when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but simply had his players create habits of what they were supposed to do.    

Key Point: Develop good habits and overcome bad ones through repeating the good habit over and over again until it becomes like brushing your teeth.

Small Victories for Eliminating Bad Habits

There is a portion of tissue deep within our brains known as the basal ganglia.  Science has revealed that is where our habits are formed.  Duhigg includes a story in his book about a man with brain damage who couldn’t remember objects or sentences a minute after he saw them, but could go for a walk and find his way back home.  That is because there was no damage to his basal ganglia and his habits took over to bring him back home.  

If those habits, which were so ingrained over time, can take over after a traumatic accident, then, according Duhigg, bad habits are difficult to undo and can only be eliminated by taking baby steps.  According to Duhigg, habits are a strong force.  “They are so strong, in fact, that they cause our brains to cling to them at the exclusion of all else, including common sense.”  

But bad habits can be removed.  

Duhigg explains that people can tweak their behavior patterns to change bad habits.  This is how some people, for example, trick themselves into exercising every day.  Cue: running shoes left next to the bed.  Routine: run first thing in the morning.  Reward: endorphin rush and a healthy breakfast.  

An alternative for bad habits would be: Cue: feeling sad. Routine: drink. Reward: forget the troubles.

Key Point: Don’t beat yourself up over bad habits.  Begin today to eliminate them through small victories.  Implement new cues, routines, and rewards.

Understanding habits and how they are formed can help you develop a better you, but can also help you to build a better business.  Implementing structures for your employees to follow, similar to what Tony Dungy did with his players, can free your team members to think more creatively and make better decisions.  Begin with routine procedures such as greeting customers in a positive manner (e.g. Chick-fi-A restaurants), or wearing safety equipment when working (e.g. Alcoa) and work from that point.  Forming good habits make it easier to make the right decisions in critical moments which form the foundation for a successful business.

Johnny Duncan, President of Duncan Consulting, Inc., is a business writer and consultant partnering with business owners to provide workforce management solutions including customer service training, job analysis, people-to-job matches, and conflict resolution.  He can be reached at johnny@duncanconsult.com or by calling 407-739-0718.