Trigger-Routine-Reward
The three-part structure of habits: cue that triggers behavior, routine performed, and reward received.
Also known as: Habit loop, Cue-routine-reward, Habit structure
Category: Frameworks
Tags: habits, behaviors, psychology, changes, productivity
Explanation
Trigger-routine-reward (or cue-routine-reward) is the three-part structure underlying all habits, as described by Charles Duhigg. The trigger (cue) prompts the behavior - it can be time, location, emotional state, preceding action, or other people. The routine is the behavior itself - physical, mental, or emotional. The reward is what the brain gets - pleasure, relief, satisfaction, or other benefit. Understanding this structure enables: diagnosing habit loops (what triggers, what's the reward?), changing habits (keep trigger and reward, change routine), and building new habits (design all three components). For habit change: identify the cue (what prompts the behavior?), identify the reward (what craving does it satisfy?), and insert a new routine that delivers the same reward. For new habits: choose a consistent trigger, design the routine, and ensure a satisfying reward. For knowledge workers, understanding habit loops helps: build productive work habits, break unproductive patterns, and design environments that trigger desired behaviors.
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