Cue-Routine-Reward Loop
A habit is a context cue linked to a response through repetition and reward; once formed, it runs regardless of current goals, which is why knowing better does not stop it.
An everyday example
Opening the email app the moment a meeting ends, whether or not anything is expected.
What it can cost you
Decisions executed by the loop rather than by you — reordering, re-subscribing, re-checking — because the cue fired.
Warning signs
- I was already doing it when I noticed.
- I have decided to stop this many times.
One thing to do
Interrupt at the cue, not the routine: change the context or remove the cue, and the loop has nothing to fire on.
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