Troubleshooting: Inconsistent Routines
Why consistency fails (too hard, no prompts, too much choice) and how to rebuild with behavior design.
¶ Troubleshooting: Inconsistent Routines
Most common cause
The routine is too complex. Reduce the dose until it becomes automatic — then expand.
¶ Diagnose the failure mode
| Failure mode | Fix |
|---|---|
| “I forget” | add a prompt (calendar, visible cue, pairing) |
| “I don’t have time” | cut the dose (2 minutes counts) |
| “I decide in the moment” | create defaults (same time, same plan) |
| “I’m too tired” | fix sleep + move earlier in the day |
¶ First fixes
- Adopt the Minimal Viable Routine for 7 days.
- Write one implementation intention (If X, then Y).
- Design the environment (remove friction, add prompts).
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