Hey Reader,
Here’s a habit that I was recently reminded of. It is one that snuck up on me today as I was working with a client.
For months (maybe years if I'm honest), I found myself reaching for my phone at every idle moment.
Waiting in line? Instagram.
Red light? LinkedIn.
First thing in the morning? Facebook.
It wasn’t “fun” anymore. It was automatic.
What startled me most wasn’t how often I checked social media. It was how little intention there was behind it.
I wasn’t choosing to scroll.
I was just doing it...subconsciously or unconsciously.
A brilliant friend calls the subconscious brain the lazy brain, so maybe that's it.
The Identity Shift That Made It Stop
James Clear says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” I didn’t need another goal. I needed a system that reflected the person I wanted to be.
So I asked myself: Who do I want to be?
I did not want to be someone addicted to the scroll.
I wanted to be present, focused, and creative.
So I made one tiny shift.
I removed every social media app from my home screen and replaced that space with the Libby app, downloading a few interesting books.
That was it.
The Result?
The first few days were surprisingly tough. My fingers still swiped to those empty spots, muscle memory reaching for dopamine.
But after a week, the craving softened.
By the second week, I started filling those gaps with writing, reading, or sometimes just being present with the boys.
And what I gained wasn’t just time.
It was clarity.
A quieter mind.
A sense of ownership over my attention again.
Less comparison to others' highlight reels!
Want to Break a Digital Habit? Start Here:
- Remove apps from your home screen or log out after each use. Friction breaks automation.
- When do you scroll? Boredom? Avoidance? Waiting? Recognizing the trigger is the first step to interrupting it.
- As Dr. Wendy Wood teaches, you don’t eliminate habits; you replace them. Choose something rewarding to do instead, such as writing a note, doodling, or taking five deep breaths.
- Don’t say, “I’m trying to be on social media less.” Say, “I’m someone who protects her focus.” Identity builds consistency.
- Slipped and scrolled? It happens. Just don’t let it become a streak. Disrupt the loop before it becomes a new habit.
Tiny Habits. Big Shifts.
The science is clear.
Habits don’t have to be dramatic to be powerful.
The shift starts with a single moment of awareness and one tiny action that aligns with who you really want to be.
What habit are you ready to rewrite?
Let’s take that next step together.
In our latest Leader-ish podcast episode, Doris and I unpacked the psychology of habits: how they are formed, how they are broken, and why they tend to run on autopilot more than we think. Drawing on insights from Atomic Habits by James Clear and research from Dr. Wendy Wood, we explored how tiny actions shape our identity and, over time, create lasting change.
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A Little Bit About Regina
I'm Regina Taute (say Howdy Taute and you've pronounced it right) a seasoned talent leader with experience in leadership and organizational development. I started Collective Growth Coaching and Consulting to partner with organizations to develop wildly practical and effective talent strategies. As a credentialed coach and certified in MBTI and Hogan assessments, my passion lies in unlocking potential and driving sustainable growth by helping individuals and teams thrive in today’s evolving business world.
It would be my honor to join you for a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to help solve a current challenge with wildly practical solutions or to meet with you one-on-one to chat and get to know you.
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