A methodology for removing friction when creating habits by focusing on tiny imperceptible changes:
- make the smallest step forward, one so simple it that would be silly to try avoiding it.
- take a step larger than the last one but maybe small enough that you won't notice the difference.
- over time there will be a cumulative impact of the smaller changes and your mind will make the leap towards a conscious habit automatically
For example, if you wanted to eat more green peas:
- Eat one pea and then stop.
- Next time, eat two peas.
- At some point you will have eaten many peas without realizing.
To go in reverse, if you wanted to eat less chocolate:
- Eat the chocolate, except for the tiniest amount possible.
- The next time, eat even less.
- At some point, you will have eaten less chocolate without feeling a loss of satisfaction.
References
- Robert Maurer: One Small Step Can Change Your Life — The Kaizen Way