Inertia, Habits and Getting Started
This mental model is based on the physical principle that objects at rest tend to remain at rest, while objects in motion tend to remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
In human behaviour, Inertia exerts a force that causes us to hold onto familiar routines and inhibits us from exploring novel experiences. However, it is also an essential force that preserves the fabric of the universe. Inertia enables us to sustain our regular patterns of behaviour in the form of habits, cultivate relationships, and navigate daily life without constantly questioning everything.
Inertia is what makes it easier to go about our daily routines without much thought. The key is to be thoughtful about which habits we want to integrate in our lives. Coz once integrated, it becomes difficult to change to our habits or routines, even if those habits are not serving us well, simply because it requires effort and energy to do so. This Inertia of habits can also lead individuals to stick with familiar or comfortable situations, even if those situations are not optimal or even harmful.
Cognitive inertia is a common phenomenon where individuals cling to their established ideas, beliefs, and habits even when they are no longer beneficial. Although some people can revise their opinions when presented with conflicting information, most of us are susceptible to confirmation bias, preferring to seek out evidence that supports our existing beliefs. It’s simpler to maintain the status quo than to consider the possibility of being mistaken and revising our beliefs.
“The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it.” ― Mark Twain
By understanding the forces that contribute to inertia or habit formation, individuals can take steps to overcome them, such as setting clear goals, seeking support from others, and breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps which brings us to the principle of Activation Energy.
The concept of Activation energy is derived from chemistry and is defined as the least amount of energy required to activate atoms or molecules to a state in which they can undergo a chemical reaction. In the context of human behaviour, activation energy refers to the least amount of effort, energy, or motivation required to initiate a particular action or behaviour. The beginning of any complex or challenging endeavor is always the hardest part. Not everyone can get up and get started on the day without a little help from Caffeine.
For example, imagine someone who wants to start a new exercise routine or habit. The idea of activation energy suggests that there is a certain amount of effort required to start the routine, such as researching fitness options, finding a gym, or setting up a workout space at home. This initial effort represents the activation energy necessary to initiate the behaviour.
Once the behaviour is initiated, however, it becomes easier to continue. This is because the mental and physical momentum generated by the initial effort reduces the activation energy required for subsequent repetitions of the behaviour. For instance after the initial effort of setting up a workout space and deciding on a fixed time for workout everyday, it may become easier to stick to the routine of exercising regularly because the activation energy required to do so is lower. As the saying goes – Getting started is the hardest part.
The principle of activation energy can be extended to making significant life alterations as well. Those who have undergone challenging and drastic changes in their lives, such as breaking an addiction, ending an abusive relationship, resigning from a long-standing job, or implementing significant lifestyle changes, understand that it is essential to reach a tipping point before taking action. The magnitude and complexity of the decision dictate the amount of activation energy required to carry it out.
By understanding the principle of activation energy, individuals can take steps to reduce the amount of effort required to initiate the behaviour, such as breaking down the desired behaviour into smaller, more manageable steps, setting clear goals and rewards, and seeking support from others. Atomic Habits by James Clear is an excellent guide for this where he talks about breaking down our target habits into really small chunks which he calls atomic sized habits which can be easily performed every single day. For example it might seem like a tall ask to exercise everyday for an hour, so instead start by committing to doing some form of physical exercise for just 10 – 15 mins every single day. Once that becomes a habit, you can expand on that habit to your targeted level.
Overall, the mental model of activation energy emphasizes the importance of taking the initial steps necessary to initiate a behaviour, and how doing so can create a positive feedback loop of momentum and motivation that makes it easier to continue the behaviour over time.
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” ― Mark Twain
