A plan to do something “more often” leaves the moment of action undefined. Habit stacking, popularised by James Clear, offers a practical alternative: connect a new action to an existing routine.
- 01Choose a dependable cue
- 02Make the action small enough to start
- 03Check whether the pairing fits
- 04Review the value
Choose a dependable cue
Pick something that already happens in the relevant context. After the weekly pipeline meeting, record the next action for each active opportunity. After a project handover, save one lesson in the delivery template.
The cue needs to be visible and specific. “When I have time” is not dependable. A routine that happens at different times can still work if its completion is obvious.
Make the action small enough to start
The initial action should fit the moment. Capturing one lesson is more realistic than redesigning the entire process after every project. You can expand later if the routine proves useful.
Prepare the required tool or document so the action does not begin with a search. A reminder cannot compensate for a process that is awkward to perform.
Check whether the pairing fits
If the habit repeatedly fails, examine the cue, timing and effort. Perhaps the existing routine leaves no attention available, or the new action depends on information that arrives later. Change the pairing instead of treating every miss as a character failure.
Review the value
A habit is worthwhile because of what it supports. Check whether the recorded lessons are used or the next actions improve follow-up. Consistency alone is not enough reason to preserve a routine that has stopped helping.