I’ve just ordered an Alexa plug for our TV.
When Fran goes up to bed early, I pretend to be an adult and try to stay up to double figures. I watch a film that Fran wouldn’t be interested in or have a little game on the PlayStation.
The problem is, I don’t notice the time, especially when playing games and end up staying up way past the time
I would like to be in bed reading my book.
So, to solve the problem I’ve taken advantage of the Black Friday deals and bought a plug that I can set to power off at 10pm.
Obviously, I could just turn the TV back on.
However, I’m using it as a pattern interrupt. Something to trigger my brain in to recognising that it is time for bed.
Having the TV switch off automatically
will mean I would have to go to the effort of switching it back on and waiting, that’s enough of an inconvenience to send me up the stairs.
Pattern interrupts can be used for anything really.
I’ve used them with clients to change food and drink habits; putting alcohol out in the shed, so you have to go outside to get a beer can be enough of a ball ache that you don’t go. Reducing the amount you drink over the week. A little
restraint to not bring a whole case in each time is needed 😂
The same can be done with fitness, going to the gym on the way home rather than having to go back out once you’ve been home.
Mindfulness / breathwork can be done before you get out of the car and can set you mood for home rather than the stresses of work. I’m very aware there are stresses at home too, sometimes I’ll have a couple of minutes on the drive to prepare for the
onslaught of our house.
The key is to keep it simple, simple things are easier to implement and that leads to consistency.
What would you like to change? What simple step would make it more or less convenient?
Darren “simple” Checkley