Let’s talk about building habits. Whether it’s mastering a new skill at work, hitting your daily goals, or just drinking more water, creating habits that actually stick is harder than it looks. But why?

It all comes down to how we learn and develop automatic behaviours—and more importantly, how we condition them to last.

The 4 Stages of Competence (And Why They Matter)

Imagine learning to drive a car. At first, you’re what’s called unconsciously incompetent—you don’t know what you don’t know. You’re blissfully unaware of how bad you’d be behind the wheel.

Then comes the second stage: conscious incompetence. You realise, “Okay, I actually can’t do this yet.” Maybe someone tells you, or you try and fail, but now you’re aware—and this awareness is crucial. It’s the spark of growth.

Now you’re motivated. You want to learn. This is when you begin the climb toward conscious competence—you know how to do the thing, but you still have to think about it. Driving, for example, feels clunky. You’re checking mirrors, second-guessing every lane change, and hyper-aware of every move.

But eventually—if you stick with it—something magical happens. You hit unconscious competence. Suddenly, you’re just doing it. You’re driving while holding a conversation, sipping coffee, maybe even singing along to the radio. You’re not thinking about the how anymore. It’s become a habit.

The Problem With “One and Done”

Here’s where a lot of people get stuck—especially in professional settings. You attend one training, one workshop, one “dialogue session,” and you’re expected to get it. But just hearing something once doesn’t rewire your brain. It doesn’t create enough repetition or reinforcement to make a behaviour automatic.

To get from awareness to mastery, you need something else: conditioning.

Conditioning: The Secret Ingredient

Conditioning is the step most people miss. It’s what transforms a practice into a pattern.

Think of it like going to the gym. You can’t just do one workout and expect to see results. You’ve got to keep showing up, over and over again. That’s what builds strength—and it’s exactly the same with mental habits, communication skills, time management, or leadership behaviours.

Without conditioning, even the best intentions fizzle. But with it? That’s where real transformation lives.

So How Do You Build Habits That Stick?

  1. Start with Awareness: What aren’t you good at yet? What’s holding you back? Be honest—but not judgmental. Awareness is the first, and most powerful, step.
  2. Fuel the Desire: Nobody can force you to care. You have to want the change. Whether it’s personal growth, career success, or better results for your team—connect to your why.
  3. Practice with Intention: Repetition matters, but how you repeat it matters even more. Be present. Learn from each rep. Adjust as you go.
  4. Create the Right Environment: Surround yourself with people and systems that reinforce the new habit. Want to be a better communicator? Join a team that values open dialogue. Want to lead more effectively? Get a coach or mentor to hold you accountable.
  5. Condition It Daily: Consistency over intensity. Tiny actions, done regularly, always beat giant efforts done once.

Ready to Build the Habits of a High-Performance Agent?

If you’re serious about leveling up your performance and want practical tools, expert coaching, and a community to help you stay accountable—Michael Sheargold’s Agent Accelerator is exactly what you need.

This 7-week online program is designed to hardwire the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Agents into your day-to-day, with live weekly sessions, Q&A, and the kind of practical insights you can use immediately.

Spots are limited—secure your place now and get ready to accelerate your success.

Want more strategies? Click here.