When thinking about habits – and changing habits – it can be such a downer, especially for a teenager who realizes that she needs to start using her planner and actually do all of her homework.

The natural focus at first is on the increased effort that the habit requires. Of course it takes more effort to use a planner and do the work that’s required. At first.

Changing the tide of a habit is waiting for – and looking out for – the point when the habit starts to pay off and you’re actually spending less energy getting more reward.

In this case, the tide changes with getting better grades. She’s spending less energy on the anxiety of getting bad grades and angst in the relationship with her mom than she is on using her planner and doing all of her homework.

What new habit do you want to create?

What’s the changing point in the tide?