Squiggly Careers #450 How to Change with Katy Milkman
Jan 8, 2025
Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist and author of 'How to Change,' discusses transformative strategies for personal development. She introduces the 'fresh start effect' to inspire change during significant life moments. Katy also shares how to overcome psychological barriers and highlights 'temptation bundling' to make personal growth enjoyable. Furthermore, she emphasizes turning intentions into actions with timely reminders and encourages following one's passion over a strictly strategic career approach for greater satisfaction and success.
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Fresh Start Effect
- The "fresh start effect" makes us more receptive to change during times like New Year's, Mondays, or birthdays.
- These moments offer a sense of a clean slate and renewed optimism, boosting our goal pursuit.
Planning for Success
- To set yourself up for success when making a change, anticipate potential obstacles and plan how to overcome them.
- Identify internal barriers like lack of enjoyment, low confidence, or inadequate social support.
Combating Present Bias
- Present bias, the tendency to overvalue immediate gratification, hinders long-term goal pursuit, like adopting new technologies.
- Commitment devices, like self-imposed fines, can help counteract present bias and encourage delayed gratification.
