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PERSONAL LIFE





Behavioral science can help us better understand why people behave the way they do. It's a field that can also be applied to benefit and help us better navigate our own lives. Here are some examples from my own personal life ;) :


  • choice architecture (-) putting chocolates and candies in the garage so that I'm less likely to unthinkingly reach for them. This change in the environment and added friction (of <2 minutes) is enough to stop me from grabbing things I don't "really" want to eat but too often do/did in moments of stress / boredom.


  • choice architecture (-) putting social media apps inside a folder on my phone so they're less visible and, therefore, l must make more of a conscious effort to check them (as opposed to doing so instinctively or out of habit)


  • choice architecture (+) putting magazines and crossword puzzles in the bathroom to "nudge" my kids to read / write more in English.


  • "temptation bundling" or, in my case, listening to podcasts or the news (something I want to do) while going on the exercise bike (something I don't really enjoy but have committed to doing in the morning).


  • greater awareness of the fundamental attribution error I make an effort to not quickly judge a person's action as reflective of their personality as a whole, as opposed to due current, recent or long-term circumstances


  • greater awareness of the optimism bias / planning fallacy I took a few painting classes as a kid and decided to start painting again while pregnant with my second child. My optimism bias must have really kicked in... I bought an enormous canvas, with the idea of making a painting large enough to fill our living room space. Needless to say, years later, the task still overwhelms me and the painting remains sitting, unfinished, on the easel. I'll buy a small/ average size canvas for my next painting and not attach any pressure to the task.







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