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Milkman explores why streaks (Duolingo, exercise apps, journaling habits) are so motivating — and why breaking a streak can be devastating enough to make people quit entirely.
Canon
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Milkman discusses how physical routines (exercise, meditation, journaling) create neurological habit loops that make the behavior increasingly automatic over time. The body learns before the mind decides.
Highlights
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Streaks exploit loss aversion — losing the streak feels worse than the daily benefit feels good
Milkman presents research showing that people are more motivated by not breaking a streak (loss aversion) than by the inherent value of the daily activity. The streak becomes the goal, displacing the original purpose.