Habits aren’t just about willpower.

In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff uncover a radical insight from behavioral science: most habits are powered by underlying anxiety. Willpower alone isn’t enough, because habits aren’t just actions, they’re emotional coping strategies.

From sleep routines to workplace distractions, Cindi and Geoff break down the surprising psychology of habits and offer practical ways to make real change stick. You’ll learn why starting small creates large payoffs, how to time your habit launches for success, and what it means to replace—not just remove—habitual behaviors.

Whether you're trying to lead better, live healthier, or stop doomscrolling before bed, this episode gives you a fresh framework for transforming habits with more clarity and control.

Episode Highlights:

The anxiety-habit connection
Why willpower alone sets you up to fail
The Fresh Start Effect
How starting smaller can lead to bigger wins
The trick to breaking bad habits
A gut-check for your organization

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3xjk1xc55Ds

*Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here

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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:

Brewer, Judson. Unwinding Anxiety, Avery, 2022. https://a.co/d/7pjMANH
Dai, H., Milkman, K.L, and Riis, J. “The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior,” Management Science, 2014, 60(10), 2563-2582. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2204126&

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Ep 94 - Take Command of Your Habits in 2026