Habits

Draft outline for expanded article:

Introduction

• Habits are the substrate of expertise
• Small daily actions compound
• The gap between knowing and doing
• Why willpower alone fails

Anatomy of a Habit

• Cue → Routine → Reward cycle
• Identity-based habits vs outcome-based
• Environmental design
• Friction and ease

Habits in Engineering

• Daily coding practice
• Code review discipline
• Documentation habits
• Learning rituals
• Time management and flow state

Building New Habits

• Start absurdly small
• Stack habits on existing routines
• Track what you can’t manage
• The importance of the first 2 weeks
• How to restart when you break the chain

Breaking Bad Habits

• Understanding the underlying need
• Replacing vs eliminating
• The role of environment
• Self-compassion in habit change

Habits That Compound

• Reading and learning
• Writing and reflection
• Exercise and health
• Deep work blocks
• Mentoring and teaching

Common Pitfalls

• Perfectionism as procrastination
• Inconsistent tracking
• Isolated habits (not connecting to identity)
• Ignoring environmental factors

Measuring Progress

• Leading vs lagging indicators
• Habit streaks and their limits
• When to adjust vs persist
• Celebrating small wins

This is a placeholder. Expand with your framework and real examples.