Time is a leverage point in the habit system

Whenever we evaluate a system, we are always curious about the various leverage points. These are the aspects of the system that hold great power.

We can apply a relatively small amount of force to this leverage point, and it produces an output much greater than our efforts. Just as we use a lever to gain power, we can use these points in the system to gain power over the system.

When it comes to habits and other behavior systems, a common leverage point is time. Time can be leveraged in several ways to produce value.

The first point is that early in the formation of the habit, we have the most leverage to dictate that habit. As time goes on, we lose this power.

Take smoking for example. If we want to quit smoking the level of difficulty depends on how long we have been smoking. Quitting after a week of smoking is easy. Quitting smoking after years of solidifying the habit is much more difficult.

In this example, time is a leverage points and gives us more leverage early in the formation of the system.

We can also use time as a leverage point to build habits. If we take small, consistent action, we can develop that into habit or routine. The more time we spend consistently taking the same steps, the more powerful the automatic response becomes.

If we want to build wealth, time is a major leverage point. Set a goal to make a million dollars in 2 months and we find it nearly impossible. Set a goal to make a million dollars in 50 years and it becomes less burdensome due to the time factor.

Another way to look at time within these systems is to look at a single incident. If we isolate one event, that one event is often meaningless.

Let’s say we want to get healthy and exercise every day. If we do this every day for 10 years, we will reap the benefits of that exercise. Each single time we worked out was almost meaningless when looking at the totality of it. It is only when it combines many such incidents that it becomes powerful.

However, if you are trying to build the habit, you will likely realize that each workout does in fact matter. If we skip one, it could very well disrupt our habit formation and cause us to miss more workouts. We might even get off track and eliminate our exercise habit all together.

Therefore, that one workout matters. It becomes the leverage point that makes or breaks our routine.

This makes leverage points a complex topic. Each individual workout is a leverage point when looked at as a chance to disrupt our habit but not as a leverage point that matters in the long run if we keep it going.

Therefore, getting back on track after missing a day is crucial. That is how we tackle that leverage point. We know if we miss one work out and get right back on track that missed workout becomes meaningless.

It only holds meaning and power when it prompts additional steps in a similar direction. In that case, it becomes a new pattern.

Understanding systems and leverage points helps to spot these aspects of the system so that we can address them. We learn to take advantage of leverage points. We learn when a point in the system gains power and we align that with our goals.

If you want to utilize the systems and habits approach to improvement you don’t need to be an expert in leverage points. But knowing about them will grow your ability to spot these early and then take action to get the most benefit from them as you design the systems in your life.