The One Choice That Matters This Year

"First, it is wired to conserve energy. When the brain detects repetition, it builds automated shortcut circuits-habits-that allow us to act with minimal effort or conscious thought. Once a habit forms, it is stored in a more automatic part of the brain. A simple trigger can then launch an entire behavioral sequence with very little energy-much like clicking a shortcut on a computer. This is not a flaw. It is an extraordinary efficiency feature."

"The second mode is the brain's system for novelty, adaptability, and learning. The human brain loves what is new. Novel experiences activate dopamine, drive attention, and enable neuroplasticity-the brain's ability to change, learn, and grow. Over time, these new circuits can become automated, completing the cycle mentioned above. Put another way: The brain lives in constant tension between two needs-the need for efficiency, and the need for growth. The challenge is not choosing one over the other."

Habits form because the brain conserves energy, creating automated shortcut circuits that enable action with minimal conscious effort. Novelty engages dopamine and neuroplasticity, allowing new behaviors to be learned and eventually automated. The brain balances efficiency and growth, so routine choices should be delegated to well-designed habits. Consciously choose which behaviors require attention and which can run on autopilot, and regularly review automatic behaviors to ensure alignment with goals. Excellence results from trusted repetition built before performance, and small environmental changes and consistent triggers accelerate habit formation while reducing reliance on willpower.

Read at Psychology Today