To build new habits we need to understand the current ones. This is difficult since habits are formed through actions by our minds consciously and unconsciously.
"Until you make the unconscious , conscious it will direct your life and you will call it fate." - Carl Jung
The more a behavior is automatic the less we are thinking about it. Lack of self-awareness is linked to so many failures in performance. The greatest challenge is maintaining awareness of the habits we perform.
To implement new habits you can use two main systems. The point and call system and habit scorecard.
In point and call, you verbalize your actions by saying them out loud to raise awareness.
In the habits scorecard, you make a list of behaviors and categorize them. Where:
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if it's a good behavior attach a "+",
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if it's a bad behavior attach "-",
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if it's a neutral behavior attach "=".
In order to categorize a habit, a few questions you can use include:
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Does this behavior help me to become the person I wish to be?
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Does this habit cast a vote against or for my desired identity?
When the answers are positive, they reinforce your desired behavior. If they conflict then the desired behavior is bad.
The two systems make you recognize the cues that trigger different behaviors and how to respond in a way that benefits you.
Behavior change starts with awareness.