Manage the Causes of Returning to Bad Habits

When you’re trying to make deliberate decisions, it’s easy to down-regulate due to internal or external environmental change without knowing it.  This is because the Automatic system is predominantly found in the sub cortex.  This is the area of the subconscious and as a result is not easily recognized through the conscious mind and use of verbal language.  Instead, it is a persons behavior that will tell you which system they are in. 

The following behaviors are most associated with the Automatic system:

• Quick Impulsive Decisions
• Reliance on Intuition
• Simplified Reasoning
• Emotionally Driven Decisions
• Less Detailed Processing
• Repetition of Previous Solutions
• Increased Reliance on Heuristics
• Reduced Mental Effort
• Resistance to Change

The Automatic Behavior Checklist use these as a way to determine if the Automatic system is dominant.  It helps the decision maker do the following:

• Track your behaviors to identify patterns of automatic responses.

• Recognize when you’re slipping back into old habits.
• Stay aware of your actions and decisions to ensure they are deliberate.

By using the checklist, the decision maker can monitor themselves or ask others to monitor for them.  It also is helpful when working with others, to determine what system they are likely using.

Causes of Down Regulation

There a number of reasons that are a person working in the deliberate system will revert to old habits and down regulate to the Automatic system.  The underlying cause has to do with the deliberate decision-making requires too much time and energy causing possible threats. With the cognitive resources devoted to the deliberate system, the brain may have a harder time recognizing threats.  You may have heard of someone “Lost in thought”. 

The ACC will consider the following as possible cause for down-regulation to the Automatic system:

• Uncertainty and fear 
• High emotions and affective 
• Time pressure 
• Low motivation 
• Limited cognitive resources 
• Familiarity with Tasks 

By using Down Regulator Assessment, you can monitor yourself and your environment to maintain an optimal decision-making state.

• Evaluate internal and external factors that may be causing down-regulation.
• Understand how changes in your environment or mindset can affect your decision-making.
• Take proactive steps to create a conducive environment for effective decision-making.

Benefits of These Tools are not only immediate in their support but also can promote learning over time, resulting in improved self -regulation.  It can also help the following:

• Improved Self-Awareness: Gain insights into your habitual behaviors and triggers.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: Maintain focus and energy for deliberate decision-making.
• Prevent Regression: Avoid falling back into bad habits by staying vigilant and proactive.

Start using the Automatic Behavior Checklist and Down Regulator Assessment today to keep your decision-making process on track and achieve your desired outcomes.