When it comes to building new habits or breaking old ones, the first step is often the hardest. That’s where the 1st Law of Behavior Change comes in: Make It Obvious. This principle is all about creating clear cues and reminders that guide your actions. Whether you’re trying to drink more water, exercise regularly, or stay focused at work, making your goals obvious can set you up for success. Let’s explore how this law works and how you can apply it in your life.
What Does “Make It Obvious” Mean?
“Make It Obvious” is about designing your environment and routines so that the right actions are easy to notice and hard to ignore. It’s the idea that visibility drives action. For example, if you want to drink more water, placing a water bottle on your desk makes it obvious and easy to remember.
This law is based on the science of habit formation. Habits are triggered by cues in your environment, and making those cues obvious increases the chances of you taking action.
Why Making It Obvious Works
Our brains are wired to respond to what’s right in front of us. When something is obvious, it grabs our attention and prompts us to act. Here’s why this approach is so effective:
- It reduces decision fatigue: When cues are clear, you don’t have to waste mental energy figuring out what to do.
- It creates consistency: Obvious cues make it easier to repeat actions, which is key to forming habits.
- It removes friction: When the right actions are visible and accessible, you’re more likely to follow through.
How to Make It Obvious
Applying the 1st Law of Behavior Change is simple, but it requires intentionality. Here’s how you can make your goals and habits more obvious:
1. Design Your Environment
Your surroundings play a huge role in shaping your behavior. Arrange your environment to highlight the actions you want to take.
For example, if you want to read more, place a book on your nightstand or coffee table. If you want to eat healthier, keep fruits and vegetables visible in your kitchen.
2. Use Visual Cues
Visual reminders are powerful because they catch your eye and prompt action. Use sticky notes, alarms, or even specific objects to remind you of your goals.
For instance, if you want to practice gratitude daily, place a journal and pen where you’ll see them every morning.
3. Create Clear Triggers
Habits are often triggered by specific cues. Pair your desired habit with an existing routine to make it obvious.
For example, if you want to start meditating, do it right after brushing your teeth. The existing habit (brushing your teeth) becomes the trigger for the new one (meditating).
4. Make It Specific
Vague goals are hard to act on. Be clear about what you want to do and when you’ll do it.
Instead of saying, “I’ll exercise more,” say, “I’ll go for a 20-minute walk every day after lunch.” This makes the action obvious and easy to follow.
5. Remove Distractions
Sometimes, making it obvious means removing things that compete for your attention. Clear away clutter or distractions that make it harder to focus on your goals.
For example, if you want to work without interruptions, turn off notifications on your phone or move it to another room.
Real-Life Examples of Making It Obvious
Let’s look at how this principle works in different areas of life:
In Health and Fitness
If you want to exercise regularly, lay out your workout clothes the night before. Seeing them first thing in the morning makes it obvious that it’s time to work out.
In Productivity
If you want to stay focused at work, create a dedicated workspace free from distractions. Keep your to-do list visible so you always know what to tackle next.
In Personal Growth
If you want to learn a new skill, place your learning materials (like a laptop or notebook) in a spot where you’ll see them every day. This makes it obvious that it’s time to practice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While making it obvious is a powerful strategy, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Overloading your environment: Too many cues can feel overwhelming. Focus on the most important actions.
- Ignoring context: Make sure your cues fit naturally into your daily routine. Forced reminders can feel annoying and get ignored.
- Being inconsistent: For cues to work, they need to be part of your regular environment. Don’t set them up once and forget about them.
The Long-Term Benefits of Making It Obvious
When you make your goals and habits obvious, you set yourself up for long-term success. Over time, this approach can lead to:
- Stronger habits: Clear cues make it easier to repeat actions until they become automatic.
- Greater focus: When your environment supports your goals, you spend less time distracted and more time taking action.
- Increased motivation: Seeing progress and reminders of your goals keeps you inspired to keep going.
The 1st Law of Behavior Change—Make It Obvious—is a simple but powerful tool for building better habits and achieving your goals. By designing your environment, using visual cues, and creating clear triggers, you can make the right actions easy to notice and hard to ignore.
So the next time you want to start a new habit or break an old one, ask yourself: How can I make it obvious? Whether it’s placing a water bottle on your desk or setting a daily alarm, small changes can lead to big results. Start today, and watch how making it obvious transforms your actions—and your life.
