Habit Building System I Wish I Had Learned Sooner

Summary

This video introduces a creative and effective habit-building system called Elastic Habits, which helps individuals maintain long-term habits by assigning different levels of difficulty and tracking progress with a scoring system. The method involves identifying key habits, providing alternatives, and setting 'show up', 'easy', 'medium', and 'hard' versions to adapt to varying circumstances. The system gamifies habit formation, encouraging consistency and gradual improvement with a 40-day success cycle and a point-based reward structure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Building long-term habits is achievable through a simple and creative system.
• 🔄 Many people fail to maintain habits due to using the wrong system for habit formation.
• 📚 The video introduces a system superior to Atomic and Tiny Habits, with a method to evaluate and score progress.
• 📝 Start by identifying up to three key habits you want to establish, such as writing, reading, and exercising.
• 🤸‍♂️ Choose alternatives for each habit to allow for flexibility and adaptability in habit maintenance.
• 📉 Define four versions for each habit: 'show up', 'easy', 'medium', and 'hard' to accommodate different levels of commitment.
• 🎯 The 'show up' version is crucial for keeping the habit alive, allowing for later expansion.
• 📈 Track habits using a system of dots and X's to represent the level of completion for each habit session.
• 🎲 Gamification through scoring each habit version differently makes the habit-building process more engaging.
• 🏆 Scoring rules are provided to quantify progress, with bonus points for consistent daily 'show up'.
• 📖 The system is based on Stephen Guise's 'Elastic Habits', with customizations made for the video presentation.
• 👍 Encouragement to like the video for algorithmic benefits and further exploration of the topic in Guise's book.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the video script?

The main idea is to introduce a habit-building system that helps people stick to their habits in the long run by using simple principles and creativity.

Why do most people struggle to maintain their habits?

Most people struggle because they are using the wrong system for building habits, which often leads to habits not lasting even a week.

What is the name of the system introduced in the video that is better than Atomic Habits and Tiny Habits?

The system introduced is called Elastic Habits, which was originally explained by Stephen Guise in his book of the same name.

What is the first step in building habits according to the system?

The first step is to identify up to three most important habits you want to build, such as writing, reading, and exercising.

Why is it important to choose different alternatives for each habit?

Choosing different alternatives provides flexibility and allows for consistency in maintaining habits, even when the circumstances or priorities change.

What are the four versions of a habit that one should define according to the system?

The four versions are the 'show up' version, the 'easy' version, the 'medium' version, and the 'hard' version.

What is the purpose of the 'show up' version of a habit?

The 'show up' version is meant to keep the habit alive, ensuring that even if the habit is not fully executed, the intention to maintain it is still present.

How can the progress of habits be tracked using the system?

Progress can be tracked by using a habit tracker and marking different versions of the habit with dots below a big X, where the X signifies showing up and the dots represent the level of the habit performed.

What is the significance of gamification in the habit-building system?

Gamification makes the process more enjoyable and engaging by turning it into a game, which can motivate individuals to compare their performance and strive for improvement.

How are scores calculated for each habit version in the system?

Scores are calculated with 'Show-Up' earning 1 point, 'Easy' earning 2 points, 'Medium' earning 3 points, and 'Hard' earning 4 points. Additionally, showing up every day in a 40-day period earns an extra 40 points.

What is the recommended way to mark the habit tracker according to the system?

A red X is used to mark the day you've shown up for the habit, with one dot below for the 'easy' version, two dots for the 'medium' version, and three dots for the 'hard' version.