I curate articles from around the web that present an interesting perspective or helpful information at the intersection of behavior design, technology, and wellbeing. Each of these articles were featured in my January 23rd, 2023 newsletter. I send out an update twice a month along with some notes on my latest work. Sign up for my newsletter here.
Hi friends,
If the Mailchimp scheduler worked correctly, you should be reading this on my birthday. While I'll be off today recovering from my first half-marathon with some compression therapy, I still wanted to connect with you and share some project updates and, as always, some interesting and useful articles.
Last month, I sat down with comedian Raza Jafri for his podcast Raza Jafri Super Deluxe where he has "casual conversation with interesting people. Charming and introspective, the show pokes fun and prods thought."
We had a lot of laughs and talked about all my favorite subjects including habits, sleep & recovery, the benefits of fasting, building businesses (including my first business), and getting into flow states.
You can watch the full conversation here, or some short clips on his YouTube channel.
On my media list ...
The Anatomy of Procrastination
Everyone knows what procrastination is.
Tasks we put off doing tend to be boring, hard, or ambiguous; or we don’t see them as valuable or rewarding. But here’s the question: Is that all it takes to make us procrastinate?
What’s the underlying mechanism that makes procrastination the preferred option even when faced with something that seems so important to do?
In the latest Be Your Own Best Coach post, my partner, Dr. Deborah Teplow, breaks down the anatomy of procrastination and how to begin to overcome it.
What the Longest Study on Human Happiness Found Is the Key to a Good Life
The latest findings from the longest running study on adult life, health, and happiness established a strong correlation between deep relationships and wellbeing.
As I clock another year on the planet, I continue to realize how much every moment I'm with friends and family is a special time. And nurturing relationships requires effort.
"In this sense, having healthy, fulfilling relationships is its own kind of fitness—social fitness—and like physical fitness, it takes work to maintain."
The authors of The Good Life: Lessons From the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness write in the Atlantic that "social fitness requires a bit more sustained self-reflection. It requires stepping back from the crush of modern life, taking stock of our relationships, and being honest with ourselves about where we’re devoting our time and whether we are tending to the connections that help us thrive. Finding the time for this type of reflection can be hard, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But it can yield enormous benefits."
This is one of the important benefits of the Annual Review process I spoke about on Raza's podcast and is part of the More About You - Annual Review Workbook I co-authored. Taking this reflection time isn't always easy. While you look back at your successes, you also confront your shortcomings. But looking in the mirror like this gives you a chance to course correct for the year ahead, including your relationships.
"Relationships keep us happier and healthier throughout our life spans. We neglect our connections with others at our peril. Investing in our social fitness is possible each day, each week of our lives. Even small investments today in our relationships with others can create long-term ripples of well-being."
Here's a fantastic Twitter thread on the subject including some more deep dive links into relationship development.