No behavior happens without a prompt. People respond reliably to prompts when they are motivated and able, which is exactly what makes well-timed prompts so powerful.

There are three types of prompts in our lives: Person Prompts, Context Prompts, and Action Prompts.

If you’ve created a Context Prompt and it’s not working, you are not doing anything wrong. You probably don’t lack motivation or willpower. Do yourself a favor—don’t blame yourself. Redesign the prompt instead. Find what prompt works for you.

An Action Prompt is a behavior you already do that can remind you to do a new habit you want to cultivate.

Action Prompts are so much more useful than Person Prompts and Context Prompts that I’ve given them a pet name: Anchors. When talking about Tiny Habits, I use the term Anchor to describe something in your life that is already stable and solid. The concept is pretty simple. If there is a habit you want, find the right Anchor within your current routine to serve as your prompt, your reminder.