---
title: How I use a design mindset to help me build good habits
 
description: >
  Habits are decisive actions. They have a similar effect as compound interest: good habits leverage exponential value, bad habits lead to problems.

template: post
output: atomic-essays/how-i-use-a-design-mindset-to-help-me-build-good-habits.html
date: "2021-07-16"
tags:
  - atomic-essays
---

<p><mark>Habits are decisive actions.</mark> They have a similar effect as compound interest: good habits leverage exponential value, bad habits lead to problems.</p>

<p>Here is how I’m using my design mindset to help me build some of my habits:</p>

<p><mark>First, I ask: "How can I create the best [e.g., meditation; reading] experience for myself?"</mark></p>

<p>Then I ask questions like:</p>
<ul>
  <li>What is the “job” to be done?</li>
  <li>What actions are involved?</li>
  <li>What artifacts do I need?</li>
  <li>When is this happening?</li>
  <li>Where do I need to be?</li>
  <li>Who else is involved?</li>
</ul>

<p><mark>Then, I prototype it.</mark></p>

<p>I simulate the habit in a controlled situation to find bumps in my experience. (E.g. Is there a clock ticking while I try to concentrate in my first attempts to meditate?) Building habits are usually challenging, so I try to create the best experience I can for myself.</p>

<p><mark>After I smooth the most apparent bumps in the process, I commit to the first version of my habit.</mark></p>

<p>I like the idea of having the first version of a habit because it relieves the pressure of committing to every possible feature associated with it. A first version solves essential requirements and creates the room to learn and improve.</p>