Walk Slowly, but Never Backward
4 concepts to master
Motion vs. Action
ConceptMotion is planning and strategizing without producing a result, while action is behavior that delivers an outcome.
How It Works
Motion creates the feeling of progress without the risk of failure, while action involves doing the work and potentially facing setbacks but ultimately leads to tangible results.
Habit Formation
ConceptHabit formation is the process by which a behavior becomes progressively more automatic through repetition.
How It Works
Repeated actions strengthen neural connections in the brain (long-term potentiation or Hebb's Law), leading to increased efficiency and automaticity of the behavior.
Automaticity
ConceptAutomaticity is the ability to perform a behavior without thinking about each step, which occurs when the nonconscious mind takes over.
How It Works
Through repetition, a behavior moves from requiring conscious effort to being performed automatically, crossing the 'Habit Line' where it requires minimal conscious thought.
Frequency over Time
ConceptThe number of repetitions is more important than the amount of time spent when forming a new habit.
How It Works
Habits are internalized through repeated actions, and the frequency of performing the behavior reinforces the neural pathways associated with the habit, making it stronger.