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Elizabeth Craft
Lemonada.
Gretchen Rubin
Hello, we're here for more Happier, a podcast where we get more of the happier podcasts. Today we're revisiting one of our very special episodes, top tools for habit Change. Many people use January 1st as a catalyst for habit change. People say, new year, new you, but really it's new year, same you. We'll discuss some tools you can use to help you keep your resolutions.
Elizabeth Craft
We're revisiting this episode from a few years ago, so you'll hear mention of our one word themes for 2023, our annual challenge outside 23 and 23, among other things. Enjoy.
Gretchen Rubin
Before we jump in, we got the most fun update about our one word themes for the year.
Elizabeth Craft
This comes from Hannah, a listener in Sweden. She says in Swedish, your choice of words, scale and wave is the same word. The word for the subject, scale, an object used for scaling groceries, for example, is vogue. And the word for wave, waves in the ocean, is also vogue. Amazing and in some way magical. I think that you sisters picked sister words like that. I had to pause the listening of the episode to email you immediately. How cool is that?
Gretchen Rubin
I know, Elizabeth. Our one word themes match up. And the funny thing is we are of Swedish descent, and so if we identify with anything, we identify Swedish. And so it's particularly satisfying that this coincidence happened in Swedish. So fun.
Elizabeth Craft
Very cool. Thank you, Hannah, for letting us know.
Gretchen Rubin
And now for our very special episode, we will review some of the top tools for habit change. Now, you can change your habits at any time. Of course, I know the questioners out there are like, January 1st is an arbitrary date, but it is often useful to use a clean slate as a catalyst for change. Or you just need something to remind you to step back and reflect and think about what changes you wanna make to your life. And for a lot of people, that's January 1st. But while there is the phrase new year, new you, it's really new year, same you, right?
Elizabeth Craft
Unfortunately.
Gretchen Rubin
But you can't have better. You can have better tools. So in my book, Better than Before, obviously, I talk about the 21 strategies we can use to change our habits. And I talk about tons of different tools that people use. And the reason that this matters is that research shows that about 40% of everyday life is shaped by habits. So if we have habits that work for us, it's a lot easier to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. So it can be useful to think about some of the most popular tools because some of the tools work really well for some people, but not for others. Some work at some times in our lives and not for other times in our lives. And then some are, like, pretty widely useful. So we thought we'd talk about these. These are also tools that are part of the happier app. So if you're using the happier app, if you're thinking about using the happier app, these are tools that are part of that because they really do end up being some of the ones that seem to work for the most people most of the time.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes. And people like different approaches, Gretch. Some people like the don't break the chain. You can go through all the different approaches.
Gretchen Rubin
Right. And so one thing to remember is if something isn't working for you, try something new. Don't blame yourself. I think a lot of times people get discouraged and they're like, well, what's my problem? Why can't I use a to do list? Why can't I just put something on the calendar? Why can't I just sign up for a class? Why does that not work for me? A lot of times it's like, there's nothing wrong with you. It's just that you need to try different tools. So as you're thinking about these tools, think about, well, have I tried some unsuccessfully in the past, and maybe I'll try something new, or I've used one of these tools with great success in the past. Maybe now I can try it with a different aim because these tools can be used for all different aims. It just depends on what you want.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes.
Gretchen Rubin
And it is often helpful to think about what has or hasn't worked in the past.
Elizabeth Craft
Speaking of my word scale, Gretchen, I know in the past when I weigh myself every day, I eat better and go in a direction I want to go in. And when I don't do that, the opposite happens. And yet I have to learn that lesson over and over again. Which is why one reason why scale is my word and why I'm using the happier app.
Gretchen Rubin
Right? Well, and it also helps to know your tendency, because if you know your tendency, then you can choose wisely from among the tools because you're like, well, this is the kind of tool that probably worked for me as an upholder, a question or obliger rebel. Or you might reframe a tool in a way that makes it more attractive to your tenancy. So again, if people don't know what we're talking about with the four tendencies, you can take the quiz. Go to GretchenRubin.com quiz it's free. More than three and a half million people have taken the quiz, and it will give you a little report. And as we talk about the tools, we can talk about whether different tendencies might be particularly attracted to certain tools.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes. So let's do talk about Don't Break the Chain, which I just mentioned. Cause that is a huge tool, I think, for obligers, which I am.
Gretchen Rubin
Yes. So it turns out Don't Break the Chain is super popular in the Happier app. It's the most popular tool or one of the top two most popular tools. I have the Don't Break the Chain journal for people who like to keep things on paper. That's super popular, too, because like you say, Elizabeth, it works really well for obligers who are able to use it as a form of outer accountability. Some obligers really need outer accountability from an actual person, but many obligers are like you, where there can be a process or kind of a visible outcome that itself creates a sense of accountability. Because it's like, I don't want to be confronted with the fact that I'm not sticking to it. And so it creates the accountability.
Elizabeth Craft
Yeah. Gretchen, I have to tell you, I'm using the Don't Break the Chain in the app and the journal. I have a double just to make sure that I'm monitoring myself.
Gretchen Rubin
And then also you get that feeling of satisfaction too, because you're getting two check marks of like, I'm doing it here, I'm doing it there. It's your growing ta da list. It's great.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes. No, exactly. And you know what I was thinking about with Don't Break the Chain is I wonder if that's part of why wordle is so popular. We've talked about wordle, which is the game where you have six chances to guess a word, and they keep track of how many days in a row you can go. And like, I know, oh, my Highest streak is 82, and I never want to stop my streak. So it keeps me playing every day.
Gretchen Rubin
I mean, that's the thing is people love streaks. It's very. Once you've got a streak going, it gets very compelling to keep that going. So Don't Break the Chain is a tool that many, many people find to be really useful. I mean, one thing I would say about Don't Break the Chain is you just want to keep in mind that what we do most days matters more than what we do once in a while. And so if occasionally you have to take a break or take a day off, don't make that feel so catastrophic that then that discourages you from Starting up again because you're like, oh, no, now I'm all the way back at 1. Because the real point of it is to do something most days. And so you don't want to let. Don't break the chain actually get in the way. I have seen some people get so invested in it that it becomes sort of unhelpfully painful.
Elizabeth Craft
Well, that's like you, Gretch. You go to the Met every day, and you being an upholder, I know you could get very focused on, I must go no matter what.
Gretchen Rubin
Well, and the thing is, it's like, if I fly that day, okay, I can race over there and just get in right before it closes because of when my plane lands. I'm like, you know what? I'm just going to say, I was traveling from out of town today. This discounts as a travel day, as an out of town day. Right. And I had to make those kind of rules for myself as an upholder. You're exactly right. Okay, now another extremely popular tool. It's interesting using the app because you see what people actually do. So this is kind of like good scientific research. People love a numbers tracker. You know, you could log steps, you could log minutes. It is a super popular tool, and it functions to do a lot of things. You see all the days you've done something, so it gives you that reinforcement. So, like, let's say you were doing go outside 23 and 23. You would see every day you log 23 minutes outside. And so it could maybe show you patterns and give you that sense of reinforcement. Because, like, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it.
Elizabeth Craft
I love this with steps, because I remember when Sarah and I first got our treadmill desk, which was your greatest gift to me ever. We logged steps to the moon.
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah. For that. Hang on. Cause we'll talk about another tool that helps with that kind of thing.
Elizabeth Craft
Oh, great.
Gretchen Rubin
So the numbers tracker, you're tracking that. You did, like, your 23 minutes that day. So that's good if you're doing it that way. But hang on to that because there's a tool for that as well.
Elizabeth Craft
Oh, great. I can't wait to hear about that. All right, coming up, more tools. But first, this break.
Gretchen Rubin
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Elizabeth Craft
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Gretchen Rubin
I've been wearing Lingo for weeks now and I've learned that for my body, if I move around after I eat a meal, my spike is much more gradual, much lower. And so I' learned that I just need to get up and move around after I eat. What works for me might work very differently for you, but that's what works for my body. To see how your body responds to food and learn what you can do to improve your metabolism, try Lingo. It starts at $49 for a two week plan, no prescription needed for a limited time. Save 10% on your first order with happier@hello lingo.com the Lingo Glucose System is.
Elizabeth Craft
For users 18 years and older, not on insulin. It is not intended for diagnosis of diseases, including diabete. For more information, Please visit hello lingo.com us so Gretchen, okay, track your total. That is, I was just talking about like tracking your walk to the moon. Explain how this works.
Gretchen Rubin
So track your total as if you wanna see numbers adding up over time. So it's not just like, oh, I wrote 1500 words, today it's 1500 3000. And you're seeing it build up, whether that's miles or minutes or words or whatever it is. So this is a growing heap where it's not just like what did I do day by day? But how is it growing? And I think for people who do, like things like, I've walked from New York City to Boston or I've gone to the moon, that can be very exciting. I think for some people, the numbers can get so big that they're just sort of imaginary and you don't feel like the number is changing. So they like seeing the day by day logging. But then some people really like to see the numbers mount up. So, again, this is something where it's essentially the same thing, it's the same process, but it's reframing it in a way that might make it more or less useful to you or attractive to you. So, again, it's. Well, what appeals to your imagination? Because one of the things that's really surprised me in the study of habits and just generally and Elizabeth, we talk about reframing all the time is like, subtle changes can make a difference. Subtle language changes, like, are you going to practice piano or are you going to play piano? Can end up making a big difference. And so the way that the numbers are presented might make something more accessible or exciting or imaginative or fulfilling for you. And so it's just like, don't just assume that, oh, this is how people do it. It's like, okay, you questioners out there, I know you love customization. We all do. But especially questioners think about, well, how do I want to tee this up in a way that's right for me? And that like, back to Don't Break the Chain, you might say, well, how could a rebel use Don't Break the Chain? It literally has chain in the title. And if rebels don't like anything, they don't like feeling chained or controlled or limited. But you could say, but they love a challenge. They love to prove. They love to show their identity. And if you're like, hey, people think, I can't go outside every day for 23 minutes in 20, 23, well, I'll show them. You know, I want to show you the kind of environmentalist I am or like, you know, how the kind of outdoor person I am or whatever it might be, then they find that very exciting and satisfying because it's like, okay, I'm going to show you. Here's the challenge. I'm going to meet that challenge to do something every day. So again, for an obliger, it could be the accountability, whereas for the rebel, it's the challenge and the proof of the identity. Same tool, but it's framed in a way that makes it Appealing to different people. So different people come to it with a different frame of mind.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes, I am a huge fan of reframing, as you know.
Gretchen Rubin
Yes, you are. You're always good at reframing.
Elizabeth Craft
Okay, Gretchen, we'll talk about the one sentence journal.
Gretchen Rubin
The one sentence journal is a very exciting tool. I think this is a very satisfying tool. This is really good for memorializers, I think, which is kind of outside the four tendencies, but for people who want to put a little color on what they're doing. So if you want to record details about some habit that you're working on, like maybe you're trying to hike all the time so you're going to write what trail you were on. So it's like, I did this one so many times and I tried these new ones. Maybe it's recipes you've tried. Did you like them? Did you not like them? Maybe it's books you've read. And what I like about the one sentence journal is, first of all, it helps you identify patterns. It can make it more exciting because you are adding that layer of detail. And then it also can be a keepsake. You know, like, I have a one sentence journal, a physical one, too. It's in the app, the one sentence journal, but there's also a physical one sentence journal. And this is something where, let's say your habit was that you wanted to read aloud to your children every night before bed. Then you could have a record of all the days you read and what you were reading at the time. Well, over the years, I would love to have a record of what I read to Eliza and Eleanor when they were little. Because now, like Eleanor said to me, oh, yeah, you read Little Women to me when I was little. And I was like, are you kidding? I must have taken like, how many months did that take? That is a long book. I have no recollection of that whatsoever. I would love to be able to flip through a journal and see it. And I think for many people, it kind of gives you more of a feeling of credit or more of a feeling of logging something. So if they open the app and they write down what hike they took, it sort of feels more real in a way, or more satisfying. I see.
Elizabeth Craft
Well, it's again, the ta da of it all.
Gretchen Rubin
Yes, it's the ta da. It's 100%. It feels like more of, I'm getting credit for this. Look at what I did. I have the sense of accomplishment. I can look back on this. I think that's absolutely right. So again, it's like, do you want it in the convenience of an app? Do you like the physical thing of a journal? Do you want to do both?
Elizabeth Craft
I even think, Gretch, taking the moment to write the sentence is a moment of mindfulness. Taking a moment for yourself, it's like.
Gretchen Rubin
Checking in with yourself 100%.
Elizabeth Craft
Which I think is something from what I hear from listeners, a lot of people don't do and want to do.
Gretchen Rubin
Absolutely. I think that's an excellent, excellent point. And it's something to really think about. Like, this is my moment of mindful reflection on what I've done. I think that's a great point. Yes, absolutely. So if you say that the one sentence journal takes a tiny bit more effort because you gotta figure out what you're gonna say. The photo log. This is the one that is so easy. It's just like, you just snap that photo. It's easy and it feels creative. You know, there's something about taking a photo that feels creative and fun and it's fast. Now that we all have our phones with us all the time, it's a great way to create a visual record of what you're doing.
Elizabeth Craft
Yeah. And so is that something you can do in the app?
Gretchen Rubin
Yes, you can do that in the app. So it's a different way to keep a streak or record a journal, but it's in a photo form. So let's say you were trying to do go outside 23 and 23. You could do that in don't break the chain. You could do that in the one sentence journal. But you could also do, like, I'm gonna look for a beautiful tree and take a photo of it every time I go outside. Or sometimes, like, I'm gonna take a picture of the same thing and watch it change over the year. Or I'm gonna look for, like, what's the most interesting thing I can take a photograph of? So kind of a quest is more interesting than a jaunt. And so maybe look. Think like, ooh, what thing am I gonna take a picture of? Could make your time outside more engaging and interesting. I think for a lot of people, this is fun.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes. I should take a picture every time I'm at the top of Fryman Canyon.
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah, right. Because it'd be so.
Elizabeth Craft
Encouraged me to go more often.
Gretchen Rubin
Well, no, it would encourage you to go more often. Cause you have that feeling of, like, ooh, it's back to this idea of the ta da. Or like, ooh, I'm excited to see what it looks like. It's sort of memorializing it. And then you have that record. And for many people, that can be accountability because it's like, oh, I need to take my photo. But one of the things when I do at the Met is I take a picture at the Met every time. And that's fun. Cause I'm like, am I gonna take it inside? Am I gonna take it outside? Am I gon to take this picture? I'm going to take that picture. Sometimes I'll take many pictures, but then I always decide what's my real picture of the day, what's the one I'm going to put into the app, Because I pick it from the gallery. So I might be like, I could take a picture of the floral arrangement. I might take a picture of something from a new exhibit. I might take a picture of like, oh, it's the holiday tree or whatever, or something in the gift shop, whatever it might be. And so I sort of had that fun of. What is the name of that pleasure? It's the pleasure of deciding what is the best thing that you're. That's just fun for me. It makes it a fun little quest.
Elizabeth Craft
Oh, good. Well, yeah, I like the idea of being able to have a group of photos together that go together rather than just splattered on your phone.
Gretchen Rubin
It's a record. Okay, and now we gotta talk about one of the biggest, most important. Well, this is directly aimed at accountability. This is accountability partners. Now, because as we say all the time, if you are an obliger, what you need to meet an inner expectation is outer accountability. And there's so many ways to create outer accountability. We've already talked about some things that can work as outer accountability. Something like don't break the chain or the one sentence journal, that can function as accountability. But for some obligers, they need a person. They need somebody who's got, like, my eyes on you. Nothing else will do. And for them in the app. But you don't have to use the app. Obviously, you can create your own system for this in the world, but you just need a way of checking in with other people. You need a way to check in with your accountability partners.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes, Gretchen, I did this successfully, like with my friend Amanda, where we texted each other every time we got to 10,000 steps. And you know what? We fell off doing it. And guess what happened? I stopped doing 10,000 steps a lot of days. So I think I need to see if she wants to reengage with this. Because like you said earlier, like, if you see what worked in the past Try it again. That worked for me beautifully. I think it worked really well for her too. So I think I need to do that again.
Gretchen Rubin
Okay. And you've just made a really important point which I think is worth underscoring, which is sometimes people think to themselves, well, I'm using this tool and it works really well for me. So naturally, I will keep using this tool, because why would I stop using a tool that works really well? Well, because even if it's just snapping a photo, whatever it is, it takes a little bit of effort, and it probably means that there's something that you're doing that is effortful itself. And so there may be part of you that's looking for those loopholes to get you off. So the fact that something is working really well does not mean that you will necessarily continue without a little bit of reminding yourself to stick with it and a little bit of effort. And that's one of the things about accountability partners is you really have to hold each other accountable. Because if neither person is saying to the other one, hey, you're not doing it, then both people or however many people are in your group will stop doing it. And you all agree that you all want to be doing it. So I'm doing it for myself. But just as much I'm doing it for you. Because if I don't do it, you won't do it. I want you to do it because I know that's what you want for yourself. So it's that infinity mirror of obligers and accountability.
Elizabeth Craft
And it was so motivating. Like, text each other at 5 and then 10. And when she got to 5, I'm like, ooh, I need to get to 5. I'm behind and I get on my treadmill desk and get to five.
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah, yeah. So in the app, it's really easy. Like if it's a friend or a family member or a coach or a group or you want to post it on social media, however you want to do it, it works really well. But as you say, you don't have to use the app. You can set this up in a lot of different ways, and the more you stick to it, the more accountability it provides. But if you are an obliger, however you do it, don't think about self care or priorities or making time for yourself or what do you really want say to yourself, if I want this, I need to create outer accountability. That's what works. And then kind of along the same lines is notifications, which is you can set up a notification to Remind you to work toward your aim. Cause Elizabeth, like you say, when you would see that Amanda was at 5,000, that was kind of a notification. Like, you gotta get onto it.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes.
Gretchen Rubin
But the other reason that I find that notifications work really well is, you know, Elizabeth, you and I were talking about rest 22 and 22. I was napping, but the way I was napping is I was napping opportunistically, which means I had the habit of napping when my day permitted me to nap. This is hard for an upholder and for me because I'm an all or nothing person. But the thing is, I just couldn't nap every day because my schedule to bonkers Sundays, I can't do it. So I had to just do it when I could do it. And the looseness of that was a challenge for me as a polder. I thought, that's good, I'll stretch myself. I can have a kind of habit that's opportunistically. But some days I would have had the opportunity, but I just forgot about it. But then I set up the notification in my phone at one because I never nap before one because I'm like, I just got up and I don't want to nap too late because then it might interfere with me going to sleep. So it's like I really want to think about it in that afternoon period. And I found that once I set up a notification like, hey, Gretchen, take a nap, that helped me remember to look for the opportunity to take the nap. And then I did a much better job of it.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes. Again, it's almost like scheduling, right?
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah, it means 100%. 100%.
Elizabeth Craft
So which we talk about, things that are scheduled tend to happen. Things you're reminded of are more likely to happen.
Gretchen Rubin
Absolutely.
Elizabeth Craft
Okay, coming up, we're going to talk about different ways to keep the habit of going outside 23 in 2023. But first, this break.
Gretchen Rubin
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Gretchen Rubin
Is getting geared up for go outside 23 and 23. Outside 23 and 23. So don't break the chain.
Elizabeth Craft
That's a big one. As we've said, very popular tool Mark.
Gretchen Rubin
Every time you go outside, keep that streak going. And the numbers tracker again as you give yourself credit. 23, 23, 23 and again. You don't have to do it all in 23. Everything counts. You can add it up. Maybe it's different parts of the day, but once you hit that 23, you can track that number and get the satisfaction that comes from that.
Elizabeth Craft
Yeah. And then the one sentence journal, you could write about what you saw outside in one sentence.
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah. I'm actually very curious to see how people do this because I bet they're gonna start keeping track and writing in their journal about things that we haven't thought about. So I'm very curious to hear the photo log.
Elizabeth Craft
Yes, Gretch, this is the one I want to use for go outside 23 and 23, the photo log. I feel like that's going to be the most helpful for me.
Gretchen Rubin
Yeah, I think that's the one I'm going to use too. It also makes it fun when you're outside to look for that beautiful thing that you want to memorialize. Accountability partners. I mean, natural.
Elizabeth Craft
And then track your total.
Gretchen Rubin
Well, I think this will be really fun for people because then you can see those numbers mount up and be like, oh my gosh, I spent however many minutes that I think I figured it out at one point, like how many hours outside it would be. And it's a big number. It's very satisfying.
Elizabeth Craft
That's so fun. And then as we were just talking about a notification reminder to go outside so you don't forget.
Gretchen Rubin
Right. And then just a moment again about the tendency. So upholders, probably any of these tools work for upholders because they are attracted to habits. And like these kinds of tools, obligers we talked about, obligers need outer accountability. So you want to think about how do you get the tool that's going to give you the outer accountability? And obligers are different in what kinds of outer accountability work for them. So think about yourself, questioners. Think about why is it that you want to keep this habit? Why is this efficient? Why is this making you happier, healthier, more productive, more creative? Why have you chosen the tool that suits you the best? Because there's many reasons that people would use these tools, but you're customizing it to work for you, to get you the best answer for you. And then rebels. What feels like the most fun for you? If there's a habit that you want to form because it's part of your identity or it's giving you some kind of outcome that you want, some kind of freedom, some kind of opportunity, which one? And then what feels like fun? If you're like, oh, it'd be fun for me to brag on how many hours I spent outside or how many hikes I went on or how many words I wrote or however it would be. Just think about what makes it fun for you and what satisfies your rebel spirit. But I'm so excited to hear how people adapt these tools because I think it's fascinating.
Elizabeth Craft
Gretch, you're at home. I think you should talk to mom and dad and see if you can get them involved in this.
Gretchen Rubin
Oh, yeah, that's a great idea. When we were talking about go outside, I thought about dad because my father was trying to get me in the habit of running, which he did very successfully when I was in high school. And he said, darlin, if the door closes behind you, it counts. And I think about going outside. It's like if you're outside, whatever you're doing, if the door is closed behind you and you're outside, it counts. I like that. So let us know if you do try this at home. And which of the top tools works best for you, or do you prefer a tool that we didn't discuss? Maybe there's a tool that is a top tool that we didn't think about. Let us know on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Drop us an email@podcastretchenrubin.com or go to happiercast.com 410 for everything related to this episode.
Elizabeth Craft
And what are the resources?
Gretchen Rubin
Gretch well, speaking of go outside 23 in 23, we would love to see pictures of you. So send us your pictures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, especially on the first day of the New year if you're doing it. And use outside 23 and 23 for a chance to be reposted. We love this stuff. Also, if you are trying to make or break a habit and you want the Checklist for Habit Change to think about all the strategies for habit change, we touched on some of them in our discussion of the tools. But if you want the checklist, you can get that@happiercast.com checklist it may be something that you're doing for your 23 and 23 list. It may be for go outside 23 and 23. That's just like a very handy reference if you're working on an ambitious habit. Elizabeth what are we reading? What are you reading?
Elizabeth Craft
I'm reading the Marriage Portrait by Maggie.
Gretchen Rubin
O'Farrell and I'm reading Notes from a Bottle Found on the beach at Carmel by Evan Cannell. Well, we hope you're feeling happier after this episode.
Elizabeth Craft
We had so much fun revisiting this very special episode of Top Tools for Sticking to our Good Habits. And if you're trying to keep a New Year's resolution, we hope you these tools help you do it.
Gretchen Rubin
The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now from the Onward project.
C
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Podcast Summary: "More Happier: Tools for Sticking to Your New Year's Resolutions [Revisited]"
Happier with Gretchen Rubin revisits one of its pivotal episodes focusing on effective tools for maintaining New Year's resolutions. In this engaging discussion, Gretchen Rubin and her cohost Elizabeth Craft delve deep into practical strategies to foster habit change, ensuring listeners not only set meaningful goals but also sustain them throughout the year.
Gretchen Rubin initiates the conversation by highlighting the common trend of leveraging January 1st as a starting point for personal transformation. She emphasizes the reality behind the popular saying, "New year, new you," suggesting that often, people remain the same despite resolutions. The primary objective of this episode is to explore tools that can genuinely aid in sticking to these resolutions.
"People say, new year, new you, but really it's new year, same you. We'll discuss some tools you can use to help you keep your resolutions."
— Gretchen Rubin [00:11]
Before diving into habit tools, the hosts share a delightful update about their "one word themes" for the year. A listener from Sweden, Hannah, points out a fascinating coincidence in the Swedish language where the words for "scale" and "wave" are identical. This serendipitous alignment resonates with Gretchen and Elizabeth, given their Swedish heritage.
"I had to pause the listening of the episode to email you immediately. How cool is that?"
— Elizabeth Craft [01:01]
Gretchen introduces the importance of habit change tools, drawing from her book Better Than Before. She underscores that approximately 40% of daily life is governed by habits, making it crucial to adopt effective strategies for positive transformation. The discussion revolves around selecting tools that align with individual preferences and life circumstances, ensuring they are both manageable and sustainable.
"Research shows that about 40% of everyday life is shaped by habits. So if we have habits that work for us, it's a lot easier to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative."
— Gretchen Rubin [02:23]
This tool is celebrated for its simplicity and effectiveness, especially among obligers—individuals who are motivated by external accountability. The concept involves maintaining a continuous streak of performing a habit, leveraging the psychological drive to not disrupt the established chain.
"Don't Break the Chain is super popular in the Happier app. It's the most popular tool or one of the top two most popular tools."
— Gretchen Rubin [05:14]
Elizabeth shares her personal experience, utilizing both the app and the physical journal version to reinforce her commitment.
"I'm using the Don't Break the Chain in the app and the journal. I have a double just to make sure that I'm monitoring myself."
— Elizabeth Craft [05:05]
A favorite among users, the numbers tracker allows individuals to log quantitative aspects of their habits, such as steps taken or minutes spent on a particular activity. This visual accumulation of numbers serves as a motivational reinforcement.
"People love streaks. Once you've got a streak going, it gets very compelling to keep that going."
— Gretchen Rubin [06:03]
Ideal for memorializers, this tool encourages individuals to document their habits with a single sentence, adding a layer of reflection and detail. It not only helps in identifying patterns but also serves as a keepsake for future reminiscence.
"The one sentence journal helps you identify patterns... it also can be a keepsake."
— Gretchen Rubin [14:09]
The photo log is a creative and effortless way to record habits by capturing images related to the activity. Whether it's photographing a beautiful tree during a walk or documenting daily hikes, this tool adds an element of fun and visual tracking.
"It's easy and it feels creative. There's something about taking a photo that feels creative and fun and it's fast."
— Gretchen Rubin [16:14]
Crucial for obligers, accountability partners provide the necessary external motivation to adhere to habits. Whether through mutual check-ins, shared goals, or social media updates, this tool fosters a supportive environment for sustained habit adherence.
"Accountability partners is directly aimed at accountability. If neither person is saying to the other, 'Hey, you're not doing it,' then both people will stop doing it."
— Gretchen Rubin [20:10]
Setting up reminders serves as an external prompt to engage in desired habits. Whether it's a nudge to take a walk post-lunch or a prompt to meditate, notifications help in integrating habits seamlessly into daily routines.
"Notifications work really well because they remind you to look for the opportunity to take the nap."
— Gretchen Rubin [22:08]
Gretchen and Elizabeth discuss the significance of aligning habit tools with individual tendencies—upholders, questioners, obligers, and rebels. They emphasize the importance of personalization, ensuring that the chosen tools resonate with one's intrinsic motivations and personality traits.
"Don't Break the Chain might be framed as a challenge for rebels, who love to prove themselves."
— Gretchen Rubin [14:00]
Throughout the episode, both hosts share their personal anecdotes, illustrating how they've effectively utilized these tools. Elizabeth mentions using both digital and physical versions of "Don't Break the Chain," while Gretchen reflects on her habit of napping and how notifications have enhanced her consistency.
"When I fly that day, I can race over... I'm going to say, I was traveling from out of town today."
— Gretchen Rubin [07:31]
"I did cross a lot of days without doing it when we fell off texting each other steps."
— Elizabeth Craft [20:10]
As the episode concludes, Gretchen and Elizabeth encourage listeners to experiment with these tools, tailoring them to fit personal needs and preferences. They invite audience engagement through social media, urging listeners to share their experiences and adaptations of the discussed tools.
"Let us know if you do try this at home... go to happiercast.com for everything related to this episode."
— Gretchen Rubin [28:17]
This episode of Happier with Gretchen Rubin serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to make meaningful and lasting changes to their habits. By understanding the variety of tools available and how they can be personalized, listeners are empowered to embark on their happiness projects with confidence and clarity.
Resources Mentioned:
For more insights and to access the checklist for habit change, visit happiercast.com.