How to Improve Decisiveness with Habit Stacking for Introverted Learners

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement”– this is one of the statements that James Clear, a prominent author said at CovertKit Craft 2017. As astonishing as that sounds, a lot of us, in reality, fail to implement it in our lives with proper consistency. One reason I could think of is not adapting the practice according to our personality. 

If you are an introvert like me, you may totally get this idea but still find it hard to put into practice. Why? Simply because things are not the same for us, right? We like quiet, people-free environments where we don’t have to deal with people and new situations consistently. This is where the concept of habit stacking can work wonders. Let’s discover this concept of habit stacking for introverted learners in deeper detail!

What is Habit Stacking?

It is one of the prominent practical life skills introduced by S.J Scott in his book “Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less.” It is all about creating new habits by connecting them with existing ones. Why connect the two, you might ask? That’s because this technique leverages the routines you already have in place to build new behaviors more easily. 

Habit stacking works because it takes advantage of the neural pathways that are already established due to your current habits. Think about all the routine things you do unconsciously. It feels routine, right? That’s because your brain is wired to perform these routines automatically and, by attaching a new habit to an existing one, you make it easier for your brain to adapt to the new behavior. 

Habit Stacking infographics - LearnReal.in

The Power of Habit Stacking for Introverted Learners

We all have our own habits and as an introvert, yours look a lot different. You would usually prefer a quiet and structured environment where you can focus only on yourself, right? If that is you, habit stacking would probably not be a big deal for you since it perfectly fits into your introvert productivity patterns.

How? Well, it creates a routine that you can follow consistently. By linking new habits to the ones you already have, you reduce the need to constantly decide and work on your habits which saves a lot of work. Since there is less need to predict whether your efforts will reap any results, it gets easier to stick to your goals.

Focus And Deep Work

Introverts usually work better in an environment where they can work with uninterrupted focus and concentration, and mostly, without having to deal with anyone! Habit stacking allows you to create such an environment by organizing your day into specific routines. For example, you might start your morning routine by reading newspapers which can be followed by a 15-minute stretching exercise, and then a focused study session.

If you notice, here this step in the routine is mentally and physically preparing you for the next, which creates a flow state very easily. This is the zone where you can do your best work by fully concentrating on your studies or projects, for whatever you want to do, without major interruptions. 

Key Strategies for Improving Decisiveness through Habit Stacking for Introverted Learners

When it comes to overcoming indecision, your personality can make a lot more difference. This is where it gets important to pick up the right strategies because it really depends on whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert. The decision-making process looks very different for an introvert and that’s exactly what we will discover in this section. Let’s explore some decision-making tips:

Self-Discipline as a Foundation for Growth

We all have heard about it – behavioral change like controlling your actions and emotions to achieve your goals is what we typically understand as self-discipline. Is, in fact, a critical aspect of personal development. But did you know that it can also be a good way to develop habit stacking for efficient decision-making?

B.J. Fogg’s research shows that starting with small habits and then slowly anchoring them to existing daily routines makes it easier for your brain to adopt new behaviors. I know.. that sounds like it would need a lot of motivation but that’s not the reality. In fact, it doesn’t require a lot of motivation, which is often one of the biggest problems when it comes to implementing self-discipline strategies.  

Personally, this technique has always worked. I remember my first year of college when I wanted to become more disciplined in my study habits. Instead of overwhelming myself with a big goal, I started small. After dinner, I used to spend around 10 to 15 minutes reviewing my notes, did this every day, and made sure to reward myself with a little treat (scrolling TikTok…guilty pleasure lol). 

What this small change in my daily habits did eventually magnified. Over time, it became this habit formation became a natural part of my routine and gradually extended to my study time. Before I knew it, studying gradually became a discipline habit without feeling like a massive effort! 

Finding Motivation as an Introvert

Ahha, a classic one! When it comes to motivation for introverts, your struggles sound a lot more different than other people. You find it hard to open up, approach people, and share your thoughts. As hard as it is interacting with the world around you, the struggle isn’t any less when it comes to the inner work. This is where it gets even harder to find motivation and better time management for introverts if you’re one.

Jon Jachimowicz, an Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School recommends finding motivation as an introvert by tapping into your inner values and interests. According to this concept, you find your drive from within as you indulge in mindfulness practices instead of relying on any form of external validation. 

To make this work, he recommends setting aside some quiet time for introspection and goal setting. This helps you get mental clarity on what truly matters to you and why. When you connect your tasks to these personal values, you create a powerful source of intrinsic motivation. 

Matt Lok, a Digital Nomad & founder of Metalabs, recommends creating a structured environment where you can develop cognitive habits like meditation, reading, and working without any distractions. For example, if you want to start a new project, consider linking it to an existing habit, maybe starting right after your morning coffee or tea. This way, your existing productive habits will come naturally and align with your introverted nature which makes it easier to stay focused. 

Sum Up: Habit Stacking for Introverted Learners

Habit stacking, if understood and implemented the right way, can easily boost your decisiveness and build better habits. With the right understanding of habit stacking for introverted learners, you can slowly build momentum in your daily life and transform your decision-making abilities to a great extent, if not miraculously. So, give it a try and watch your confidence grow as you master new habits effortlessly! 

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