How to Make Good Habits Stick at Work

Creating good habits at work is not just about willpower. It's about setting up the right environment. James Clear, known for his work on habits, shared some practical tips. First, leaders need to ask the right questions. Where is the team headed? What are they aiming for? It could be money, creativity, or even more time with family. The goal should be clear to everyone. Incentives play a big role. If the rewards and costs are not aligned, it's hard to encourage good habits. Think about who does the work, who pays the cost, and who gets the reward. Ideally, it should be the same person. But aligning incentives is tricky. It takes time and effort. Leaders should spend time thinking about how to improve this alignment. The workspace matters too. If everyone is in the same office, think about how it's set up. Is it easy for people to do the right things? Small changes can make a big difference. Clear uses a simple trick in his own work. He keeps his phone in another room to avoid distractions. This small barrier helps him stay focused. But it's not just about the physical space. The digital world matters too. What do people see on their screens? Are the key performance indicators clear? Are the emails helpful or distracting? At the end of the day, good habits are about making the right choices obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. It's not just about telling people what to do. It's about setting them up for success.