TOOL 4: The 4-Point Action Loop
Bad habits and good habits both need interruption. So, as you begin identifying the critical changes you need to make—your key strategies—you can use this as a tool.
Download this tool for free at RickWalker.com
Everything you do on a regular basis can be summarized into one of the below four classifications.
- Trigger: This cues a signal that begins any action.
- Temptation: The trigger brings out a desire for something.
- Routine: The action takes place which fulfills what is typically rewarded.
- Reward: The desire is fulfilled and the brain trusts this cycle more next time.
Classify your temptations as TEMPTATIONS and your desired new habits as ROUTINES. Then take a very small portion of your temptations to begin with and use them as rewards for the first few weeks.
Example: When you sit down to work (TRIGGER), allow yourself ten minutes to visit social media anytime you want (TEMPTED), as long as you first write one page of your new report (ROUTINE). By doing this, you flip a temptation into a reward for the proper routine.
