Forget big change, start with a tiny habit: BJ Fogg at TEDxFremont
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended in habit and motivation threads for its simple anchor-then-tiny-action recipe.
What it is
BJ Fogg of Stanford's Persuasive Tech Lab argues that lasting change comes from tiny habits, such as flossing one tooth or doing one pushup, anchored to things you already do.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2014 to 2017.
What Hacker News said
Recommends loumf · 2014-01 · on “Ask HN: Changing habits”
BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits. Essentially: 1. Pick a trigger -- something you already will definitely do at the rate of the new habit. 2. Find a version of the habit that takes no cognitive load and can be done in less than a minute. 3. Celebrate every time you do it. The template is: After I X, I will do Y. X must be sure, Y must be small. You must do it after. [this video] I also suggest putting in a system that makes it impossible to not do what you want. For the games/netflix one, just get rid of them. Don't depend on willpower -- make a system [LINK] For eating right -- journal everything you eat -- no need to track anything fancy except what it was and you will see results. The magic is that you d
Recommends williamkennedy · 2016-09 · on “Ask HN: How do you motivate yourself?”
I have actually written about this a lot as it is one of those topics that I am fascinated with. The trick is not to try and motivate yourself but to build systems and processes to get things done regardless. For me, it boils down to 3 things. Pre-planning, habits and elimination. I have written about each separately on my blog [LINK] I plan a lot of stuff on my Google Calendar. My whole days are planned in advance including free time. When I am learning a new language, I set aside time for study. If a friend asks me to hang out, I can just check to see if I have prior commitments. I also have the regular gym slot and after 2+ years, I am simply routine when it comes to exercising. Next, lea
Recommends eurticket · 2017-12 · on “Ask HN: What Are Your New Years Resolutions or 2018 Goals?”
Create more tiny habits that pair onto activities I already do. Mostly Exercise, sit ups every time after I brush my teeth, stretching every time I press snooze on the alarm clock. A TED talk by BJ Fogg on the subject. [this video]