I can't say that I completed the 75 Hard challenge because I forgot to take the mandatory daily photograph on Day 26. I did everything else for 75 days, but in line with the rules — which require starting over if you miss even a single task — I don’t claim to have completed the challenge.
The reason I missed the photograph was yet another reminder of how environments play a big role in shaping behaviour. I had meticulously planned the 75 days to ensure I completed every task, every day. Taking the daily photograph was a challenge because I’m genuinely selfie-handicapped. After some trial and error, I figured out that the best place to set up my phone camera was in the guest bathroom.
As a student of habit change, I also knew the benefits of habit stacking. I figured the best time to take the photo was right after my shower. So, I planned to shower in the guest bathroom for the full 75 days.
It worked brilliantly — until Day 26. A good friend, who often visits Delhi for work, came to stay for a couple of days. I woke up on Day 27 with a vague feeling that I had missed something, but I couldn’t quite place it. And then it hit me — I hadn’t taken the daily photo. My friend was using the guest bedroom, so I showered in the master bathroom instead. That one small change was enough to break the chain.
It may sound like a minor slip, but it taught me two things. First, how powerful our environments are in influencing behaviour. And second, that if a behaviour really matters, we need backup plans that account for changes in our environment. Today, I’m much better at the habit change game — and I never underestimate the power of my environment.