The hosts kick off their video book club by discussing the transformative nature of change. They dive into the psychology of behavior modification and the importance of social support to bridge the intention-action gap. Discover how fresh starts can ignite personal transformation, along with effective strategies like 'when-then' scenarios for habit formation. They also explore the power of public commitments in shaping behavior and tease upcoming insights on gamification and community engagement.
Intentional changes are crucial for career growth, as they empower individuals to select and commit to impactful professional shifts.
The fresh start effect emphasizes the power of specific moments to inspire new commitments and motivate effective change in our lives.
Deep dives
Understanding Change in Careers
Change is an inherent aspect of modern careers, characterized by both unexpected and intentional shifts. Individuals often face changes at work that are beyond their control, while they also have the power to choose changes, whether small or significant, that can greatly impact their professional lives. The discussion emphasizes that intentional changes—such as improving work processes or committing to new goals—are essential for personal and professional growth. By recognizing the distinction between imposed change and those we intentionally select, listeners can strategize their approaches to embrace change effectively.
Surprising Insights on Learning and Memory
The podcast highlights an intriguing notion that our minds operate more like sieves, indicating our tendency to forget important information rather than absorbing it fully. This concept is expressed through the 'intention-action gap,' which refers to the difficulty in transforming good intentions into tangible actions. Strategies such as commitment devices can help bridge this gap by leveraging motivation techniques, like financial penalties for failing to achieve self-imposed goals. By acknowledging the common struggles with memory and follow-through, individuals can adopt specific tools to enhance their learning and change efforts.
Harnessing the Fresh Start Effect
The fresh start effect suggests that specific moments, such as the beginning of a new week or after a holiday, can serve as catalysts for change, prompting individuals to recommit to their goals. This effect is not limited to January resolutions and can occur any time one identifies a fresh start moment, amplifying the motivation to instigate change. Environmental shifts, such as a new workspace, can further enhance this effect, combining a change in setting with a psychological readiness to commit to new intentions. Recognizing and leveraging these moments can significantly increase one's ability to initiate and sustain meaningful change in various aspects of life.
Welcome to week 1 of the Squiggly Careers Videobook Club. In our first episode of the series, Helen and Sarah discuss their experience of watching How to Change, a Videobook from Katy Milkman. Together they talk about a statement that stuck, something that surprised them, and what action they are going to take as a result of watching.
The Squiggly Careers Videobook Club is brought to you in partnership with LIT Videobooks, who have given the Squiggly Careers Community access to their library of videobooks for free in January and February 2025. Use this link to sign-up and get access: https://amazingif.typeform.com/videobookclub