Hooked - How to Create Irresistible Habits

Mauro Donovan

4 min read

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Are you struggling to build habits that last? You're not alone.

In today's post, I'll show you the powerful framework outlined in Nir Eyal's bestselling book Hooked, which has helped countless individuals and companies create habits that stick.

Let's dive right in!

1. Trigger

The first step in the habit-forming process is the trigger.

Triggers can be external or internal cues that prompt a behavior.

For example, the smell of fresh bread when walking past a bakery can trigger a craving for a sandwich.

2. Action

Once a trigger occurs, it's followed by the action, which is the behavior prompted by the trigger.

The easier the action, the more likely the habit will stick. For example, the convenience of fast food makes it a common choice when people are hungry and in a hurry.

As this behaviour model shows, users are more likely to take action if it's easy enough to do

3. Variable Reward

After the action comes the variable reward, which is the satisfaction or pleasure derived from the behavior.

This can range from the taste of the food to the sense of accomplishment from completing a task.

4. Investment

To make the habit stick, the person needs to invest time or resources in it. This final step increases the likelihood of future habit continuation.

This can include money spent on a gym membership or time spent learning a new skill.

In summary, we discussed the four steps in forming a habit: triggers, action, rewards, and investment. By understanding and applying these concepts, you can create habits that are easy to form and stick in the long run.

Now, I'd like to hear from you. How are you going to hook your users? Leave a comment below and let me know.