A New Way of Being cover image

A New Way of Being

Your Willpower Is Weak – But Your Design Power Is Strong (90-Second Reminder)

Jan 8, 2025
Struggling with smartphone addiction? Instead of relying on weak willpower, embrace your design power! Learn how environmental changes, like using a lock case or even a backup 'dumb phone', can liberate you from the constant lure of distractions. This strategy can transform not just your tech habits, but also improve your eating and focusing skills. Plus, discover resources like a free course on beating burnout and insights from a newly published book that can help you achieve peak performance in every aspect of life!
02:54

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Rather than solely relying on willpower, altering your environment can significantly discourage undesirable behaviors and temptations.
  • Embracing 'design power' by making healthier choices more accessible while complicating negative behaviors can lead to improved decision-making.

Deep dives

The Importance of Redesigning Environments

Expecting people to exercise willpower over temptations, such as excessive phone use or unhealthy snacks, is often unrealistic. Instead of relying solely on individual control, it's more effective to alter the environment to discourage undesirable behaviors. For instance, removing cakes from the office or placing phones in locked boxes can significantly reduce the temptation and make it easier for individuals to make healthier choices. This approach highlights the concept that people are more likely to engage in behaviors when they are easily accessible, and thus, modifying the environment can lead to better outcomes.

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