I have heard of triggers used in stories about focus in blogs that reached the frontpage here.
The examples were things like, "I only use my computer for fun or to surf if I'm in my easy-chair. If I'm at my desk, I only use it for work"
Personally, it makes me think of how some people arrange their whole living room to be focused on the TV... chairs & couches arranged to point at it, etc. My parents had theirs arranged to point towards the center of the room, encouraging people to talk or read, as you had to situate yourself oddly to face the TV.
And, if anyone wants the list above formatted in positive terms (maybe to put in your evernote inspiration folder or w/e):
1. Willpower alone isn't sufficient motivation for long term change.
- Imagine willpower doesn't exist.
2. Attempt Baby Steps, not Big Leaps
- Seek tiny successes, one after another
3. Notice how the environment shapes your behavior
- Change your context to change your life
4. Focus on creating new behaviors, not stopping old ones.
- Focus on action, not avoidance
5. Failures don't necessarily indicate a lack of motivation
- More like a failure of planning. Find a way to make the behavior easier to do
6. Recognize and understand the power of triggers.
- No behavior happens without a trigger
7. Information alone doesn't lead to action
- Our environment needs to be set up in a way that helps us capitalize on that information
8. Focusing on concrete behaviors rather than abstract goals
- Abstract: Get in shape. Concrete: Walk 15 min. today
9. Try to change a behavior for a short time, rather than forever
- A fixed period works better than "forever"
10. Remember, behavior change need not be difficult.
- Behavior change can be relatively easy when you take many steps to increase the probability that your desired behavior will occur.
The examples were things like, "I only use my computer for fun or to surf if I'm in my easy-chair. If I'm at my desk, I only use it for work"
Personally, it makes me think of how some people arrange their whole living room to be focused on the TV... chairs & couches arranged to point at it, etc. My parents had theirs arranged to point towards the center of the room, encouraging people to talk or read, as you had to situate yourself oddly to face the TV.
And, if anyone wants the list above formatted in positive terms (maybe to put in your evernote inspiration folder or w/e):
1. Willpower alone isn't sufficient motivation for long term change.
- Imagine willpower doesn't exist.
2. Attempt Baby Steps, not Big Leaps
- Seek tiny successes, one after another
3. Notice how the environment shapes your behavior
- Change your context to change your life
4. Focus on creating new behaviors, not stopping old ones.
- Focus on action, not avoidance
5. Failures don't necessarily indicate a lack of motivation
- More like a failure of planning. Find a way to make the behavior easier to do
6. Recognize and understand the power of triggers.
- No behavior happens without a trigger
7. Information alone doesn't lead to action
- Our environment needs to be set up in a way that helps us capitalize on that information
8. Focusing on concrete behaviors rather than abstract goals
- Abstract: Get in shape. Concrete: Walk 15 min. today
9. Try to change a behavior for a short time, rather than forever
- A fixed period works better than "forever"
10. Remember, behavior change need not be difficult.
- Behavior change can be relatively easy when you take many steps to increase the probability that your desired behavior will occur.