What are the sequence of behaviors to create a habit? I use the Starbucks habit as a model to understand the steps taken to create the habit behavior - stopping in at a starbucks.
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
Tanya proven steps
1. Proven Steps to a Starbucks Habit
Tanya Flores
habits.stanford.edu
2. STOPPING IN AT A STARBUCKS
“I’d rather go in late to work and be ye!ed
at by my boss, than miss my daily
Starbucks fix.”
- Google Starbuck’s Reviewer
What are the sequence of
behaviors that lead to the
habit of stopping in at a
Starbucks?
3. Step 1
Notice other friends are doing it
This helps drive your motivation to be socially accepted and as you notice more
friends do it, the simpler it is for you to join in on the social norm.
4. Step 2
Accompany a friend to the store
You continue to be motivated to be socially accepted and playing on your hope that
something good will happen by joining the Starbucks’ trend. You are highly able since
you will be “tagging along” and not needing to think through the decision.
5. Step 3
Stop at the Starbucks alone
You know the coffee is good, so you are motivated to stop in alone by thinking of the
pleasure you get from the warm coffee and the cozy, trendy atmosphere. The
pervasiveness of Starbucks’ locations may trigger your desire to stop in and the rapid
service makes it easy physically effortless and quick.
6. Step 4
Attend multiple locations
It takes little of your time. It requires no brain cycles. It is not a huge daily investment. It
has become your social norm. You are generally happy by stopping in and because
Starbucks are everywhere, you are signaled regularly.
7. Step 5
Plan other events at Starbucks
You are already motivated by the pleasure of the coffee, atmosphere and social
environment. You create new facilitators by planning other events (reading, homework,
meetings, etc) at the Starbucks.
8. Step 6
Try new products
This will continue to drive your motivation. Trying and enjoying new products will keep
you wanting and gaining pleasure from your visits.
9. Step 7
Become friends with the Baristas
You are motivated by social acceptance and friendships. Not wanting to alter the routine
of seeing your friends, you continue stopping in.
10. Mapping Starbucks’ habit behaviors to Fogg Behavior Model
Step 1: Notice other friends are doing it. BlueDot: familiar behavior one-time
Step 2: Accompany a friend to a store. GreenDot: new behavior one-time
Step 3: Stop at the Starbucks alone. GreenSpan: new behavior for a duration
Step 4: Attend multiple locations. GreenPath: new behavior from now on
Step 5: Plan other events at the Starbucks. BluePath: familiar behavior from now on
Step 6: Try new products. GreenPath: new behavior from now on
Step 7: Become friends with the Baristas. BluePath: familiar behavior from now on
