The Best Way To Change A Habit Is To Bet On It - For The Interested

The Best Way To Change A Habit Is To Bet On It

“People who risked $150 of their own money to win a $650 bonus prize were dramatically more likely to quit smoking than those who used traditional smoking cessation methods. Surprisingly, this group also beat out those who were offered an $800 reward with no deposit for staying smoke-free.”

It turns out one of the most effective methods to change your habits is also one of the methods people are most hesitant to try — gambling.

Nir Eyal breaks down research that shows the best way to change a habit is to wager on it and points out wagers introduce consequences for both doing or not doing the new habit, which makes us more likely to change.