Habit stacking, popularised by James Clear and building on BJ Fogg's idea of anchoring new behaviours to existing routines, uses an established habit as the trigger for a new one. The old habit is already automatic, so it reliably prompts the new behaviour.
Why it matters
New habits usually fail for lack of a cue, not lack of willpower. Stacking borrows a cue you already have.
How to apply it
- List habits you do every day without thinking.
- Pick one that happens right before you want the new habit.
- Phrase it as "After I [current habit], I will [new habit]".
- Keep the new habit tiny at first.