Agreeing and carrying out an agreement are two different things. One of the habits Gary and I agreed on 31 years ago, was going to bed at the same time. From a marriage perspective, there are all kinds of obvious good outcomes. From a health perspective sleep is necessary!
It all sounds like a good idea until you have to put it in practice. And that was the rub for me.
If the open windows on your computer are a metaphor for the ideas, projects and to-do’s bouncing around in your head there is a good reason I struggled to go to sleep. There was always that one more thing to complete!
So how do we get to the habit and goal we want? Gary and I really fell into this. I didn’t realize until recently but we set up an activation trigger that works like a charm.
Have you heard of an activation trigger? Well, maybe you’ve heard that a great way to ensure you will get to the gym in the morning is to lay out your clothes the night before. Or maybe you know that a great way to start strong on a diet is to throw out all processed foods before you begin.
These are activation triggers. Michael Hyatt writes, “An activation trigger locks in our decisions in advance.”
So what do Gary and I do that locks in our decision to go to bed at the same time? For 31 years, at night we take a shower together. I don’t know if it is me wanting to make sure I get some of the hot water but I will stop and drop almost anything when I hear the water running. Getting to the shower also means we get to bed at the same time. Goal accomplished!
Looking to invigorate or reestablish a habit but know there will be obstacles in the way? Think of an activation trigger that will invigorate your commit to action.