Fogg behavior model
B = MAT
Where:
- B: Behavior
- M: Motivation
- A: Ability
- T: Trigger
In order for a behavior to occur there must be a motivation and ability to act, and a trigger.
I can't help but think that with most addictions, the motivation component is very high because it's linked to some inate desire. And following through (i.e. the ability component) is very easy, and is therefore also very high. The trigger is simply the thing that pushes us over the edge and gets us to execute.
It seems helpful to focus on the motivation component when evaluating behaviors. If you have to stop and think about why you're doing something, that's probably a good thing.
The ability component is interesting because it implies having some skill. And acquiring skills requires stacking up behaviors. That said, I'm not sure if behaviors spawned by high ability are necessarily good or bad. I guess I think it still comes back to the motivation component. The intention is the most important part.
Triggers seem rather binary to me. They're either there or they aren't, which I suppose makes them the most "hackable". At least external ones. They can easily be added or removed to change behaviors. Internal triggers seem more difficult because they are subconscious and require some emotional digging to understand. Frankly, I'm not sure we can actually control them. At best we can be aware of them and develop techniques for managing them.
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