The Habit Ecosystem: Three Ideas for Nurturing Growth through Systems and Environments
Choices impact habits, habits impact systems, systems impact environments. And visa versa.
I Am What I Do
“Virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions,” Aristotle said.
The historian and philosopher Will Durant interpreted that ancient wisdom in a more contemporary rendering: “We are what we repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit.”
Identity is a many-layered thing, and yes, it’s true that our actions do form a layer of our identity, significantly those actions we repeatedly — habitually — do. This is true in the positive, that is, the things we actively do, and also in the negative; the things we choose not to do.
The key word is ‘choose’. If our habits — those things we repeatedly do — are a precursor to identity, then the underlying implication is that our habits are a function of our choices. Those choices can sit anywhere along the continuum of consciousness. They can be extremely conscious, well thought through choices, or unconscious reactions.
Every action holds the space for choice. Growth occurs when we activate that space, when the actions we take are a result of conscious choices. Growth occurs even finer when those choices are in service of betterment; betterment of ourselves, our community, our planet.
Growth develops exponentially when choices complement each other, when the actions that come from those choices compound around an objective.
We can think of a collection of complementary habits as a system. An optimised system is one where the component parts — habits — are each doing their part to best serve the system’s outcome.
An example is the nutritional system — a group of choices and resultant actions that are in service of nutritional health. The same goes for a physiological system; choices and actions that are designed to get the best out of our physical beings. Likewise, an emotional system, a vocational system, relational systems. The list goes on.
Systems and habits have this dynamic, symbiotic relationship — a system can serve and strengthen habits, or indeed denigrate them. Habits can strengthen a system, as well as depreciate them. Habits shape systems, systems reinforce habits.
Systems have a similar dynamic and symbiotic relationship with the environments within which they exist, and for which they serve. The collection of systems listed above all serve our internal environments, as well as having an impact on our external environments.
As an example of an external environment, our organisational systems — made up of the habits we have around keeping things organized — have a huge impact on the state of our home environment, and likely our work environment too. Those environments also have an impact on our organisational system, and therefore on our associated habits.
So, what we have is a two-way chain of causality; our choices impact our habits, our habits impact our systems, and our systems impact our environments. The reverse also holds true; environments influence systems, systems affect habits, habits determine future choices.
Work the Fulcrum
Understanding this chain of causality means that we have clues on how to affect change and achieve growth, or simply make meaningful steps towards a different way of being, if we recognise the potential for a better version of ourselves lies waiting for us.
The beauty of a causal chain is that beginning anywhere yields results. That said, focusing on the fulcrum — the pivot point — of the chain holds the most potency. In this case, it’s working on systems. Afterall, all change is systemic change.
James Clear, the author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits, believes that focusing on building effective systems is more crucial than setting specific goals. He advocates for creating habits that align with desired outcomes, and encourages the focus on continuously improving their associated systems. By developing and refining effective systems, Clear believes we can create an environment that supports positive habits, making it easier to achieve goals. Look after the system, and the goals look after themselves.
Key to looking after the system is stepping up the causal chain to reflect on the environment that the system serves, and within which the system exists.
The three prompts to explore when considering the system-environment relationship are;
- Design
An ageless design maxim is that form follows function. First make sure that the environment serves its function, and then look to the aesthetics. The environment’s function is to serve the system. I’ll say that again — the environment’s primary function is to serve the system.
Our kitchen’s primary function is to serve our nutritional system. Our bedroom’s function is to serve the needs of our rest and sleep system. Our office’s function is to best serve the needs of our vocational systems.
Thinking in this way, we can look into the specifics of our systems and design our environments to ensure that meets the functional needs of our systems.
2. Curate
To curate is to carefully consider, and act on that consideration. Consider whether the environment is still fit-for-purpose. Consider whether the components of the environment are still relevant, and if not, to make the required changes.
Conduct an environment audit. Pause and slowly pay close attention to your environment and ask three questions; 1) what system/s does this space serve, 2) is it fully serving the needs of those systems, and 3) if not, what would need to change?
If those questions are difficult to answer, it may be a clue that the real work lies in the systems themselves — the environment may just be a reflection of poorly formed systems, and in turn, loose habits and behaviours.
3. Maintain
A well designed, well curated space is a great starting point for well supported systems. A well-maintained environment is an indication that the habits, systems and environment are in sync, and working well. The causal chain is optimised.
It’s in maintaining the environment that the service of the system really occurs. It’s the closure of the loop, and a full connection of the chain. The habit of cleaning the kitchen each night serves the nutritional system, which in turn serves and is served by the underlying nutritional habits, such as eating well and staying hydrated.
Adopting the mantra ‘Ready for Use’ is a great way of holding the importance of maintaining the environment and acting on that importance. Ready for Use is a statement that helps spur action and leave the environment, well, ready for use.
It’s folding the laundry and putting it away. It’s cleaning the kitchen each night. It’s making the bed each morning. It’s clearing your desk at the end of each day. It’s making sure your gym gear is where you need it to be for your 5:30am work-out. It’s putting things back where they belong. It’s finding a home for things in the first place.
The Ready for Use mantra is a gift to your future self, and also a responsibility to those who share the environment.
By understanding and intentionally shaping our environments, it is possible to create conditions that support and elevate the way our systems function, but more importantly the way in which our choices can guide the best versions of ourselves to blossom and flourish.
