To change a behavior it’s usually best to focus on our mindsets and environment, rather than just the behavior.
Eat more vegetables = behavior
Vegetables are bland and boring → Vegetables can be satisfying and delicious = mindset shift
Making fresh, well-prepared, veggies readily available = environment
Get more sleep = behavior
Sleep is a waste of time → Sleep is restorative and essential to learning and health = mindset shift
Avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, making the house dark before bed = environment
This approach is also useful for skills and behaviors we want to see in school, sports, and the workplace.
In the past year we’ve all heard:
“We need to be more agile.”
“Resilience is key.”
“We need to be better learners.”
9000 times.
And yeah, agility, resilience, and learning are great.
But so many times we stop at the behavior and don’t make the necessary changes in our mindsets and environment to ensure that those behaviors last.
To really make a change, we need to understand the value of all three parts.
The behavior gives us a target. Our mindsets kickstart and fuel action. Our environment helps sustain action.
