Environment design
Change the room instead of relying on willpower
Guitar on a stand rather than in a case. Phone charging in another room. Junk food out of the house entirely. The behavior you want becomes obvious and easy, and the one you do not want becomes invisible and awkward. The premise is that self-control is a poor long-term strategy, and that people with good habits mostly have well-arranged rooms. It is a one-off cost that keeps on paying.
Who backs it
Sorted by strength of stance
- Mel RobbinsDoes it
Author and podcaster · The Let Them Theory
Lays her workout clothes on the bedroom floor, texts herself the link to the next morning's exercise class, and sets up her water by the coffee maker, all so that the morning involves no decisions. She says she does these things half asleep on purpose.
Source: The Mel Robbins Podcast: 5 Night Habits to Boost Focus & Energy - Ali AbdaalRecommends
Doctor turned YouTuber · author of Feel-Good Productivity
Controlling the environment and stripping the desk back to essentials is what he recommends, rather than relying on willpower.
Source: aliabdaal.com: how to stay focused and not get distracted - James ClearRecommends
Author · Atomic Habits
People with good habits mostly have well-arranged environments, he argues, and redesigning the room beats relying on self-control.
Source: jamesclear.com: the power of environment - Jeff NippardRecommends
Natural bodybuilder · Science-based lifting
Move the food you overeat out of sight or stop stocking it, make Sunday a meal-prep day, and keep books or games within reach if you stress-eat at night. Those are his examples of small home changes that keep a diet running when motivation dips.
Source: jeffnippard.com blog: How To Get Lean & STAY Lean Forever (Using Science)
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