2022-05-21

改掉或养成习惯并非易事。不论是戒除恶习，还是改善自我，都需要时间和毅力。但意志力是唯一的决定因素吗？

Have you ever made a promise to yourself that you didn't keep? Commonly, when the new year ticks1 over, we make resolutions: going to the gym, studying harder or giving up a bad habit. Sadly, not long after we've made the promise, we often end up breaking them. But what if you want to create a new good habit? Well, it's possible, but willpower might not be the only thing you need.

The basic idea of a habit is something we do almost unconsciously, as if you're on autopilot. An example of this would be having breakfast or saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Good habits can be part of your daily routine2. But if we don't have those habits, how can we create them? According to a study published by the European Journal3 of Social Psychology4, it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. However, relying only on determination may not be the answer.

Questioning why you want something to be the norm5 rather than relying on your reso