Keystone Habits - One change that changes everything
In 2012 Charles Duhigg wrote a best-selling book called the Power of Habit in which he discusses the concept that there are "keystone habits" that act as a sort of behavioural linchpins. Having worked extensively in behaviour addictions I saw this concept in action. I observed that some people have habits that, while not taking up much of their day, permeate every aspect of their lives, and in the case of my clients, for the worse. It was incredible to see how many other behavioural changes occurred when people started exercising regularly or stopped looking at pornography.
Just one change was initiating a domino effect, providing the individual with the impetus and the motivation to tackle their other previously impossible goals.
I have observed this phenomenon recently with my wife Sarah. With her permission I share her story.
We have two beautiful girls and on the surface it appears that we have a perfect life. Most people, even in our closest of circles, were not aware that we had been having significant struggles. We each played our own role in our stresses and conflicts but Sarah's postpartum depression put our weaknesses under a microscope and held us both prisoner.
We received more help than any young couple could hope for. I made changes in my work schedule to be home more often. We did everything we were supposed to do but for some reason Sarah's confidence was still at an all-time low which consequently left me feeling inadequate as I am supposedly a)her closest confidant and b)a mental health expert. There didn't seem to be a way out.
Then miraculously. One, seemingly tiny change took place. Sarah was sick of being self-conscious about her blemishes (residual damage from postpartum hormones). She found a product that cleared her skin and not much later she was a changed person. I have never seen her so confident or outgoing. She got a gym pass (thank you Dustin and the YWCA), she sees the chiropractor (thank you Dr. Brad Parascak), and she is passionate about her new business endeavour to share her skin/life changing experience (thank you Rodan + Fields).
If it's acne then you need to talk to my wife Sarah today. But maybe it's something else. Something that seems to be insignificant on the surface but deep down you know that you have been wanting to change your whole life. Invest in keystone changes and who knows what else will fall in to place.
Just one change was initiating a domino effect, providing the individual with the impetus and the motivation to tackle their other previously impossible goals.
I have observed this phenomenon recently with my wife Sarah. With her permission I share her story.
We have two beautiful girls and on the surface it appears that we have a perfect life. Most people, even in our closest of circles, were not aware that we had been having significant struggles. We each played our own role in our stresses and conflicts but Sarah's postpartum depression put our weaknesses under a microscope and held us both prisoner.
Then miraculously. One, seemingly tiny change took place. Sarah was sick of being self-conscious about her blemishes (residual damage from postpartum hormones). She found a product that cleared her skin and not much later she was a changed person. I have never seen her so confident or outgoing. She got a gym pass (thank you Dustin and the YWCA), she sees the chiropractor (thank you Dr. Brad Parascak), and she is passionate about her new business endeavour to share her skin/life changing experience (thank you Rodan + Fields).
If it's acne then you need to talk to my wife Sarah today. But maybe it's something else. Something that seems to be insignificant on the surface but deep down you know that you have been wanting to change your whole life. Invest in keystone changes and who knows what else will fall in to place.
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