Welcome to the course on habits and identity!
Think about the last time you set a goal and felt super motivated. Maybe it was exercising daily, eating healthier, or learning something new.
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How long did that initial excitement last before you started skipping days?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: motivation is unreliable. It comes and goes based on your mood, energy levels, and what's happening in your life.
Relying on motivation is like trying to drive a car that only starts sometimes.
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Can you think of a goal where your motivation faded quickly?
Successful people don't rely on motivation - they rely on habits. Habits are automatic behaviors that happen without thinking, like brushing your teeth or checking your phone.
Once something becomes a habit, motivation becomes irrelevant.
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What's one thing you do automatically every day without thinking?
Your brain loves creating habits because they save mental energy. When you repeat a behavior in the same context, your brain creates neural pathways that make it easier next time.
This is called automaticity - your brain's efficiency system.
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Which action in your life now feels effortless because you've repeated it so often?
Consider learning to drive. At first, you consciously thought about every mirror check, turn signal, and brake. Now you probably drive while having conversations or listening to music.
That's automaticity turning a complex skill into a habit.
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What other complex skill have you made automatic through repetition?
The same process works for any behavior. Reading before bed, doing pushups after coffee, or reviewing your calendar each morning can all become as automatic as brushing your teeth.
The key is consistency, not motivation.
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Which behavior would you most like to make automatic in your life?
Type
Sort Into Boxes
Practice Question
Let's identify the difference between motivation-dependent and habit-driven behaviors. Sort these actions based on whether they typically require motivation or happen automatically.
Labels
- First Box Label: Requires Motivation
- Second Box Label: Happens Automatically
First Box Items
- Gym workout
- Learning Spanish
- Meal prep
Second Box Items
- Brushing teeth
- Morning coffee
- Checking phone
