Behavioral change is hard. Luckily, there are strategies that make it easier. One of the best is keeping track of your effort.1 This means finding some way to record how frequently you work toward your goals. Indeed, research has shown that tracking how often you work toward your goals leads to greater progress. Effort-tracking is effective for four reasons: 1. Process Focus Effort-tracking helps you keep your eyes on the… Read More »Effort-Tracking
Last week, I wrote about a new eating routine that I began in light of new information about something called the “glymphatic system.” I didn’t mention that, in addition to making my sleep more restful, making this one improvement triggered a number of other positive changes as well. Today, I want to use that experience to highlight a phenomenon I’ve come to call the cascade effect. The cascade effect is… Read More »The Self-Improvement Cascade Effect
Most people don’t self-identify as perfectionists. In their work, or when doing chores, or in their diets, they’re routinely satisfied with some version of “good enough.” But when these same people are offered a strategy to help with behavioral change, they frequently reject it for perfectionistic reasons, saying things like, “Oh I’ve tried that, and it didn’t always work.” My response is, “Yeah… But did it work some of the… Read More »The Hidden Type of Perfectionism That’s Probably Holding You Back
“If you do not change your direction, you will end up exactly where you are headed.” –Chinese proverb I talk a lot about behavioral change on this blog. I do this for two reasons: It’s really important. Becoming better is largely about what you do or don’t do. Whether or not you reach your goals usually comes down to what you do or don’t do. If you’re not happy with… Read More »Why Behavioral Change Is Hard and What You Can Do About It