In chapter 3 of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, he begins the explanation of how to change a habit by presenting the simple subtitle statement, “Why Transformation Occurs.”
Sports anecdotes are plentiful in this chapter. Notably by the real-life experience of Tony Dungy and his professional career coaching, most notably the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, Florida. Other note worthy habit changes are discussed around Alcoholics Anonymous.
Mr. Dungy’s coaching philosophy didn’t create new habits for the players to win games, Dungy wanted to change players’ old [ habits ]. By focusing on the players routine in the habit loop (cue, routine, reward).
Using an axiom, Dungy knew he could change a routine while maintaining the cue and the reward. To quote Duhigg’s book:
…to change a habit, you must keep the old cue, and deliver the old reward, but insert a new routine.
Charles Duhigg, Chapter 3 The Golden Rule Habit Change, pg. 62
Almost any behaviour can be transformed if the cue and reward stay the same.
The evidence of success is demonstrated by Dungy coaching the Buccaneers to the playoffs – in ten consecutive years. Additionally, Dungy is also noted as: the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl [ in 2007 ].
The aforementioned axiom, of changing the routine in relation to a cue and the subsequent reward, is discussed as also being used in Alcoholics Anonymous. This axiom is known as the “Golden Rule” of habit change.
Just like Coach Dungy, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) encourages people to identify the cue and rewards that motivate the alcoholic habit [ loop ]. And then helps them to discover new routines.
Specifically, talk to someone (a “sponsor”) instead of taking a drink.
To make this new routine and consequent new habit stick, is when they are supported by one important factor – belief. Alcoholics need to have the “capacity to believe that things will get better”. And the football players who played for Coach Dungy need a belief in their team. And for the team (or alcoholics in an AA meeting) their belief was supported by the people around them that helped to enable change.
Belief is easier when it occurs within a community.
Charles Duhigg, Chapter 3 The Golden Rule Habit Change, pg. 89