The Diary of a CEO
Habit Change
Swap the Reward, Not the Routine

Swap the Reward, Not the Routine

from The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett

How to Apply This

  1. Identify your habit loop. Map out the cue, routine, and reward for the habit you want to change. For instance, habit: late-night snacking; cue: boredom; routine: opening fridge; reward: temporary pleasure.

  2. Replace the reward with something positive (not mere deprivation). Substitute a healthier, still-pleasurable reward when the cue strikes. For snacking, this might be a herbal tea and a five-minute stretch—something you genuinely enjoy.

  3. Change just one habit at a time. Focus on a single loop, not a crash overhaul. Willpower is limited and trying to fight multiple habits will leave you exhausted and likely to rebound.

  4. Guard your sleep and manage stress. Prioritize rest and well-being, especially when installing a new habit—poor sleep and stress are enemies of self-control.

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