Habit technique · Environment & friction · 10–30 minutes
Redesign a space
Level: Intermediate · Free — no account needed to read
Rearrange a room, desk, shelf or bag so it invites the habits you want and hides cues for the ones you don’t.
Why it may help
Your surroundings suggest what to do next. Redesigning a space changes those suggestions every day, for free.
When to use it
- A room works against a habit
- Starting a focus habit
- Changing an unwanted habit tied to a place
How to apply it
- Pick one space.
- Note what it makes easy now.
- Make the wanted habit visible and ready.
- Move cues for unwanted habits out of sight or reach.
An example
Olga moved her desk out of the kitchen, and working hours stopped being snacking hours.
The common mistake
Redesigning everything at once and exhausting yourself.
Practise it
Change one thing in one space today.
What the evidence says
Research-supported: Good studies support it, but there are fewer of them, the effects are modest, or they come from a narrow set of situations.
Situational strategies — choosing and changing situations — are argued to be more effective than in-the-moment resistance, though they are less studied.
Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (v1) codes: 12.1, 12.5.
Sources
- Duckworth, Gendler & Gross (2016). Situational Strategies for Self-Control. Perspectives on Psychological Science. doi:10.1177/1745691615623247
- Hofmann, Baumeister, Förster & Vohs (2012). Everyday temptations: An experience sampling study of desire, conflict, and self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. doi:10.1037/a0026545
Problems it helps with
- “Other people or my surroundings get in the way.” — The plan works until someone else’s needs, habits or space collide with it.
- “I remember, but I don’t start.” — You know it’s time. You even think about it. And then you do something else.
Lessons behind it
- Your environment is doing half the work — People who seem disciplined often simply meet fewer temptations. (6 min · Beginner)
- Designing a place for focus — A desk, a corner or a library seat that means one thing. (6 min · Beginner)
- Make the cue visible — Put the book where the evening already happens — object placement in practice. (5 min · Beginner)