Five steps for building the Habit

BenWalker,TeacherofScienceandDPRLeadUTCN

Research suggests 40% of our daily activities are habits.

That’s no bad thing.

Habits improve our efficiency and compound the benefits of the behaviour we have formed. So how do we go about building something like DPR use into our daily habits? It is not what you might think, or as easy. The research suggests setting goals and being motivated is not going to cut it when it comes to building habits. What works are systems, and habit expert James Clear reckons “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems’’. So what systems can we use to promote the habit of DPR use?

Start with a small habit

“Make it so easy you can’t say no” – Leo Babauta. Break down the new habit into small chunks. Link your lesson to a KO on the DPR or celebrate success at the end of the lesson with a judgement. Focus on and accomplish one tiny step at a time.

Increase the habit

Habit-Stacking

Get back on the horse a. Meet at the threshold b. Ten second countdown c. Register d.

Start small and increase your expectations. Link your lesson to the KO and make judgements during your live marking. Small improvements compound over time.

This is something you will already do without realising: take your new habit and fit it amongst established routines..

Open the DPR

We all make mistakes and fall off track. The difference between building a habit and losing it is getting back on track quickly. The research shows the sooner we get back on the horse, the more likely we are to maintain the Habit. Be consistent, not perfect.

Break your habit down

Once you have established your DPR use, you can break it down and use sections of it to the best advantage of your class.