Habits are automated behavioral scripts that eliminate the need for routine decision-making, thus conserving the finite resource of willpower. The brain achieves this efficiency by shifting processing from the energy-intensive prefrontal cortex to the basal ganglia. [[Willpower Is a Finite Resource]], like a muscle that becomes fatigued with use, and [[Decision-Making Costs Willpower]]. [[Making Many Decisions Leads to Ego Depletion]], and [[Ego Depletion Leads to Making Impulsive Decisions or Avoiding Them Altogether]]. Conversely, [[Habit Formation Makes Routine Decisions Free in Terms of Willpower Cost]], effectively saving mental energy by creating automated routines. Because [[Automation is a Decision that Negates a Thousand Future Decisions]], any habit is also a decision that negates a thousand future decisions. Any habit is a meta-decision. [[Use Willpower Once to Design and Build Your Habits]].