The Power of Positivity: A Guide to Effective Behavior Change

Take a moment to reflect on times you've received warnings. What was your reaction? Did it lead to change? Share your experiences in the discussion forum.

“Warnings have very limited impact on behavior.”

Reflect on times you've avoided information that made you uncomfortable. What did you tell yourself to justify this avoidance?

“When the market is high, people log in all the time... And when the market is low, people avoid logging in.”

Identify ways to use social incentives. Highlight the positive actions of others to encourage similar behavior. Share your ideas in the forum!

“Nine out of ten people in Britain pay their taxes on time.”

Brainstorm immediate rewards you can give yourself for desired behaviors. Make them tangible and appealing. Consider setting up a reward system.

“Studies show that giving people immediate rewards make them more likely to quit smoking, more likely to start exercising.”

Track your progress and celebrate successes! Focus on what you're gaining, not what you're losing. Share your progress visualizations with the community.

“If you're trying to get people's attention, you might want to highlight the progress, not the decline.”

Review the handwashing study. How did social incentives, immediate rewards, and progress monitoring contribute to its success? Discuss your thoughts.

“Compliance raised to 90%, which is absolutely amazing.”

Design a positive intervention for yourself or someone else. Incorporate social incentives, immediate rewards, and progress monitoring to foster control.

“To change behavior in ourselves and in others, we may want to try these positive strategies rather than threats, which really capitalize on the human tendency to seek progress.”