The Science of Forming and Breaking Habits
Topic:
New Year’s Resolutions beg the question – how can I be more effective in keeping good habits? Yet, as you dig deeper, our understanding of habits might tell us more than just the neuroscience behind it.
Readings:
Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit: Link to Reading
How to Break Bad Habits: Link to Reading
7 Habits of Highly Effective People (list): Link to Reading
Power of Habit (Chapters 2 & 3): Link to Reading
Discussion Questions:
Have you been successful in keeping a resolution? What did you do? Was is a new good habit or getting rid of an old one? What was easy/hard about the process? Have you used any apps (Productive, Stride) to aid you? What other aids are helpful?
How do you define what is a good habit or a bad habit? Is that definition the same for everyone in society? Are there “bad habits” that are more acceptable than others? How does that impact your ability to get “rid” of the bad habit?
Is it easier to start a good habit or get rid of a bad one?
Some people may be more susceptible to addiction than others based on their genealogy. Can the same be applied to habits? Do you believe forming good habits stems from nature or nurture?
How does your belief system affect your ability to keep to good habits and avoid the bad? Your support system?
