Google research says successfully forming a lifelong habit comes down to 1 word

Since exercise can make you smarter, less stressed, and happier, Google decided to find ways to help employees exercise more often. The research team assigned employees to one of three groups:

• People in one group were asked to pick a convenient two-hour window, and to follow a strict routine: something along the lines of “work out at 6 p.m. every day.” They then received a financial reward every time they worked out.
• People in a second group followed a flexible plan, working out whenever they wished.