Psychological Tricks for Lasting Change: Insights from Professor Katy Milkman

Professor Katy Milkman, renowned behavioral scientist and host of the popular podcast Choiceology, shares her insights on creating lasting change and developing mental strength. She emphasizes the significance of understanding roadblocks, creating supportive environments, and embracing flexibility.

Key Points:

• Identify Obstacles: Recognizing and removing barriers that hinder progress makes change more achievable and sustainable.

• Embrace Flexibility: Rigid routines may hinder habit formation. Adaptability allows for adjustments and increases the likelihood of maintaining new habits.

• Learn from Peers: Observing and adopting successful habits from like-minded individuals with similar constraints and lifestyles can provide valuable lessons.

• Incorporate Enjoyment: Including enjoyable activities in the path to achieving goals can enhance motivation and make the process more rewarding.

• Build a Support Network: Find individuals who can offer encouragement, accountability, and support throughout your journey towards change.

Quotes:

• "A great source of information is like-minded others in your social network who have similar constraints, similar lifestyles, and have figured out how to make progress." - Professor Katy Milkman

• "When we create just the tiniest bits of friction, like putting things out of reach or behind in an opaque jar, we make temptations less visible and make it easier to choose healthy options." - Professor Katy Milkman

• "How did Google become the greatest search engine? Because it has this very efficient algorithm. It takes the path of least resistance. It looks for a fast solution. And that's what we do too. We prefer to choose the easiest way to achieve any objective." - Professor Katy Milkman

• "Most goals fail. And if you aren't strategizing, making plans, setting goals, and using science-based strategies, you're not giving yourself the best chance at success." - Professor Katy Milkman

• "The challenge of overconfidence is we under strategize and then we fall on our face and we can't figure out why." - Professor Katy Milkman

Additional Resources:

• Listen to the full podcast on the Verywell Mind Podcast.
• Learn more about Professor Milkman's work at the Behavior Change for Good Initiative.
• Find more information on behavior change and mental health on the Verywell Mind website.