THE 3RD LAW : Make It Easy
Chapter 11 : Walk Slowly, but Never Backward
Case study: Jerry Uelsmann split his students into 2 groups. The first group is graded by ‘quantity’ i.e. amount of photos they submit. The other group is graded by ‘quality’ i.e. the excellence of their work. They only need to submit one perfect photo.
At the end of the semester, it was surprising that the best photos were produced by the quantity group. This group took more photos, experimented different aspects, and learned from their mistakes. They improved as part of the process. Meanwhile, the other group spent from time speculating about perfection.
Finding the best strategy for change can be difficult and time-consuming.
We never actually take action because we are so preoccupied with determining the ideal strategy. As Voltaire once wrote, “The best is the enemy of the good.”
Comparing motion and action, although the two concepts appear to be the same, they are not. Planning, scheming, and learning all occur while you are in motion. All of those are positive things, but they have no concrete impact.
On the other hand, action is the kind of activity that results in a result.
Why are we 'in motion' if it doesn't produce results? Sometimes we act in this way to plan or research more. But more often than not, we do it because this gives us the impression that we are moving forwards without taking a chance on failing. The majority of us are adept at deflecting criticism. We tend to stay away from circumstances where failure or public judgement might occur since neither of those things feel pleasant. And the main reason you slip into motion instead of acting is that you want to put off failing.
You feel like you're accomplishing things when you're in motion. But in reality, all you're doing is getting ready to do something. You need to make a change when planning turns into procrastination.
The secret to mastering a habit is to start with repetition rather than perfection. It's not necessary to outline every aspect of a new habit. All you have to do is practise. The 3rd law's first lesson is that you must complete your reps.
HOW LONG DOES IT ACTUALLY TAKE TO FORM A NEW HABIT?
The process by which a behaviour gradually becomes more automatic via repetition is called habit formation. Your brain changes in order to become more effective at an activity the more you practise it.
The brain alters physically when a habit is repeated.
Every habit progresses along a similar path from deliberate practise to automatic behaviour, or automaticity. Automaticity, which happens when the nonconscious mind takes control, is the capacity to carry out an activity without thinking about each step.
What matters is not ‘how long’ but ‘how many times’ (i.e. repetitions) you do something to form a new habit.
It is important that you take the necessary steps to advance. It matters less whether an action is totally automatic.
Chapter Summary
- The 3rd Law of Behavior Change is make it easy.
- The most effective form of learning is practice, not planning.
- Focus on taking action, not being in motion.
- Habit formation is the process by which a behavior becomes progressively more automatic through repetition.
- The amount of time you have been performing a habit is not as important as the number of times you have performed it.