Good Habits (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)

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What Does It Really Take to Build a New Habit?

By Kristi DePaul

Our habits govern our lives, literally. Research shows that around half of our daily actions are driven by repetition.¹ This is probably why behavioral scientists and psychologists have spent so much time writing about how to establish and keep positive habits. Regular sleep and exercise, a healthy diet, an organized schedule, and mindfulness are just a few examples of practices that—if done regularly—can improve our work, relationships, and mental health.

But what if those things don’t come naturally to you? What does it take to build a new habit?

While there are plenty of hacks on the internet competing to answer these questions, the neuroscience behind habit formation doesn’t ...