New Year, Smarter Goals
The Science of Motivation That Lasts
Giveaway Announcement!
’Tis the season for giving — and at Behavioral Grooves, we’re feeling festive. This January, we’re running a special giveaway for fans of the show that’s guaranteed to help you get into your groove. Want in? Join our Facebook Group and keep an eye out for details.
This Week’s Music for Grooving
The start of a new year brings a surge of motivation,
And then, unsurprisingly, a big crash. We often see the new year as a time to start “the new me”, setting big intentions, promising ourselves change, and then we wonder why the motivation and energy fade by February. In this recast episode, we talk with Dr. Ayelet Fishback to challenge the idea that lasting change depends on willpower and explore what behavioral science actually has to say about motivation over time.
Willpower is overrated, and we unpack the popular myths around motivation and reveal the secret sauce to achieving your goals. When you actually know how to motivate yourself, you don’t have to try harder to be successful. Through ideas around meta-motivation and strategies designed to keep you moving, this episode is chock full of ways to keep you going even after the initial excitement wears off.
We also tackle one of the biggest obstacles we face with our New Year’s Resolutions - the dreaded “middle”. Rather than having rigid targets, we explain how milestones make success not only feel more achievable, but be more achievable. If you want this year to actually feel different, this conversation offers a smarter way to begin.
Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel
Your Willpower Isn’t Weak
It’s just not designed for long-term goals. Our brains aren’t necessarily meant to hold goals for periods of time like a year (or worse, indefinite). Behavioral research shows that we are actually more motivated when we create goals that have both a start and an end, and we’re least motivated when goals appear to have a hazy, messy middle. This “goal gradient” explains why January feels energizing and February feels like a fog. The fix isn’t more grit, its breaking down goals into smaller, achievable milestones.
How to Shift Your Behaviors
Confession: Kurt has been moonlighting on another podcast. Luckily, it’s focused on goals and motivation—and since there’s no music involved, we’ll let it slide. If you’re looking for bite-sized, practical insights on how to achieve your goals, this episode of the Behavior/Shift podcast is worth a listen.
Housekeeping
Want more information on this week’s episode or guest? Check it out below!
Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation
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