When attempting to build or break a habit, you will face the daily decision of whether to stick to your commitment. You’ll either execute or make excuses.
THE GOOD NEWS: Typically, individuals tend to make only seven different types of excuses, which I refer to as loopholes.
THE BAD NEWS: Even with knowledge of the most common loopholes, handling them can still be challenging.
HERE ARE THE COMMON LOOPHOLES THAT WE USE AS EXCUSES:
Moral Licensing Loophole
- "I've been so good, it's okay for me to do X"
- "I was so productive yesterday, I deserve to take it easy today"
- "My writing was so creative last week, I need to take a break this week"
- "I saved so much by not buying X that I deserve to buy Y"
The issue with moral licensing is that the reward for maintaining a habit becomes not practicing it. This disrupts the habit loop as it conditions your brain to perceive the habit as painful.
Lack of Control Loophole
- "I'm too stressed to deal with this right now."
- "This season is way to crazy to handle this habit right now"
- "My kids are taking all of my time"
The small voice inside your head that says, "you can't control this," right before you're about to do the thing you're trying to avoid, can train your brain to believe that you are weak and limited.
Planning To Fail Loophole
- "Oh look, I forgot my gym shoes at work! I guess I can't work out today!"
- "I'm not going to eat anything more tonight, but i'll go into the kitchen and look in the freezer. Just curious."
- "I'll check my email quickly before I work on that project... oops, I don't have time to work on the project today at all."
This loophole occurs when you subtly orchestrate a series of events that ultimately make it impossible to maintain your habit. Planning to fail is somewhat counterintuitive as it uses your creativity and planning skills, but in the opposite direction of your goal.
This Doesn't Count Loophole
- I'm on vacation
- What are weekends for?
- This period of my life is so stressful that I must focus solely on my dealing/project/work.
This loophole creates special exceptions to the commitments you've made, allowing you to avoid the pain of failure.
Questionable Assumption Loophole
- Everyone knows you can't do X when Y
- I can't start working until my office is clean
- I can't work out if I've already showered
- If I wait until I'm more in the mood to do it, I'll do a better job
Use your creativity to challenge your own flawed logic.
Fake Self-Actualization Loophole
- Prompts yourself to cast off responsibility because
- you only live once
- I live in the moment
- I should celebrate this uniquely special occasion
- I want to embrace myself just the way I am
This statement holds some truth. Indeed, life is too short to spend time worrying, but it's also too short not to strive for reaching your potential.
One Coin Loophole
- What difference will one day make?
- I haven't worked on that project for such a long time, there's no point in working on it this morning
- One beer won't make a difference
- Why work on my report today, when the deadline is so far away?
The allure of one coin is appealing due to its element of truth. But what occurs when your decisions start to seem inconsequential? This mindset could spread like a virus, affecting all your actions.
CREATE CLOSERS FOR THE LOOPHOLES THAT POP UP FOR YOU!
- Moral Licensing Loophole Closer: Keep track of your progress and remind yourself that each action contributes to your larger goal. Reward yourself, but not in a way that disrupts your habit.
- Lack of Control Loophole Closer: Practice mindfulness and take back control. Remind yourself that you have the ability to choose your actions.
- Planning To Fail Loophole Closer: Be proactive and make sure you have everything you need to maintain your habit. Be honest with yourself about your intentions.
- This Doesn't Count Loophole Closer: All actions count towards your goal. Remind yourself that maintaining consistency is key to forming a habit.
- Questionable Assumption Loophole Closer: Challenge your own assumptions. Ask yourself if your logic is sound or if you're making excuses.
- Fake Self-Actualization Loophole Closer: Balance living in the moment with pursuing your long-term goals. Remind yourself that self-improvement is a form of self-love.
- One Coin Loophole Closer: Every small action contributes to your larger goal. Remind yourself that every decision is significant.
more tomorrow,
Hunter