227 Katy Milkman: How to Change, According to Science

<p>There's a lot of common wisdom around building good habits: stick to a schedule, reject constraints, and seek out great advice.</p> <p>But science would like a word.</p> <p>Katy Milkman is an economist and behavioral scientist who has done breakthrough research on how people form (or break) habits. Surprising data from her book, <em>How to Change</em>, shows that flexibility, not routine, is the key to conquering procrastination, exercise, and more.</p> <p>Environmental changes, even small ones like the start of a new week or a new year (resolutions, anyone?) can be psychologically huge in effecting change. And constraints on creativity often yield better results than unlimited resources.</p> <p>Science also explains why when it comes to mastering a skill, tis often better to <em>give</em> advice than to receive it.</p>