Use Someone Else’s Behavior as Cues to Create New Habits

Creating new habits is tough, even with a few tricks up your sleeve. The Cue-Routine-Reward systems works great, if you can find your cues. If you're having trouble, try using someone else's cue.

Over at The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin explains that you can change a habit by observing someone else's behavior as the cue:

• you can eat ice cream, but only when your spouse eats it, too


• you can use a device only when your kids are using one, too; many people wish their children spent less time on devices, so this might be a good deterrent.


• before you make a purchase over $50, you have to call your brother and tell him.

This approach takes some of the responsibility away from you, but also the pressure. You might tell the person they're your cue out of courtesy, but you don't have to. Eventually, you'll change your habits and create your personal cue instead of relying on others.

One Way To Use Someone Else to Strengthen Your Good Habits | The Happiness Project

Photo by Christopher.Michel .

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