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Automatic You

A blog about behavioral engineering.

Attention
How to Craft a Summer Schedule for Your Kids

Nir Eyal on June 6, 2023

Summer isn’t just an opportunity for kids to become indistractable; it’s also an opportunity for parents to learn to relinquish control to their kids.

Summer isn’t just an opportunity for kids to become indistractable; it’s also an opportunity for parents to learn to relinquish control to their kids.

Career
The 4-Day Workweek: How to Do More With Less

Nir Eyal on May 25, 2023

The four-day workweek may be in our future, and those who become indistractable will reap the benefits from the start.

The four-day workweek may be in our future, and those who become indistractable will reap the benefits from the start.

Attention
5 Productivity Myths to Avoid

Nir Eyal on March 15, 2023

Stop making yourself feel like you’re not doing anything just because you didn’t check off a box today. If your task is an important project, it’s going to take time.

Stop making yourself feel like you’re not doing anything just because you didn’t check off a box today. If your task is an important project, it’s going to take time.

Self-Help
6 Habits That Are Secretly Making You Miserable

Nir Eyal on March 2, 2023

Uncover the real sources behind six habits secretly causing misery and learn simple ways to break them for a happier life.

Uncover the real sources behind six habits secretly causing misery and learn simple ways to break them for a happier life.

Self-Help
One Question to Ask Yourself to Know Your Future

Nir Eyal on February 15, 2023

When it comes to living the life—and the future—you want, making sure you allocate time to living your values is the best thing to focus on.

When it comes to living the life—and the future—you want, making sure you allocate time to living your values is the best thing to focus on.

Motivation
How to Conduct a Self-Audit

Nir Eyal on January 24, 2023

By becoming self-aware, you become less likely to veer off track when difficult emotions surface, which is why self-reflection is such a compelling practice for the New Year.

By becoming self-aware, you become less likely to veer off track when difficult emotions surface, which is why self-reflection is such a compelling practice for the New Year.

Time Management
’Tis the Season for Reexamining Your Values

Nir Eyal on January 16, 2023

Reassessing your values and making time for them is one of the best things you can do to make sure you stay motivated in the New Year.

Reassessing your values and making time for them is one of the best things you can do to make sure you stay motivated in the New Year.

Attention
4 Mental Traps That Kill Productivity

Nir Eyal on January 9, 2023

Productivity has many enemies: too many meetings, external triggers like interruptions from coworkers, and multitasking the wrong way, to name a few.

Productivity has many enemies: too many meetings, external triggers like interruptions from coworkers, and multitasking the wrong way, to name a few.

Self-Help
Labeling Yourself Is Keeping You Down, Do This Instead

Nir Eyal on January 4, 2023

By focusing on our behaviors, not fixed characteristics, we can release harmful perceptions of ourselves that hold us back from trying methods that might improve our lives.

By focusing on our behaviors, not fixed characteristics, we can release harmful perceptions of ourselves that hold us back from trying methods that might improve our lives.

Motivation
You Can't Do It All, So Prioritize Your Values

Nir Eyal on December 27, 2022

You have to prioritize some activities over others—or else you’ll be spread too thin to dedicate yourself to anything fully.

You have to prioritize some activities over others—or else you’ll be spread too thin to dedicate yourself to anything fully.

Self-Help
8 Productivity Hacks You Can Do in 30 Minutes

Nir Eyal on October 21, 2022

Implementing these tips will may help to save you from distraction but also give you the results and motivation you need to pursue becoming Indistractable.

Implementing these tips will may help to save you from distraction but also give you the results and motivation you need to pursue becoming Indistractable.

Self-Help
Why People See Problems Where There Are None

Nir Eyal on October 6, 2022

By putting our problems in proper perspective and leveraging our inherent drive for improvement, we can live the kind of lives we’re proud of.

By putting our problems in proper perspective and leveraging our inherent drive for improvement, we can live the kind of lives we’re proud of.

Relationships
3 Ways to Filter Your Friends

Nir Eyal on October 1, 2022

Don’t be afraid to filter out the friends who don’t fit your values and keep the ones who can make time for you.

Don’t be afraid to filter out the friends who don’t fit your values and keep the ones who can make time for you.

Burnout
How to Prevent Burnout Using Timeboxing

Nir Eyal on September 22, 2022

Using timeboxing, you can make the most of your time and life. And when we find that control, we block burnout.

Using timeboxing, you can make the most of your time and life. And when we find that control, we block burnout.

Fear
How to Embrace, Not Fear, Being Alone

Nir Eyal on September 15, 2022

We all have the capacity to enjoy being alone. Don’t let distractions derail you from looking inward.

We all have the capacity to enjoy being alone. Don’t let distractions derail you from looking inward.

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May 2023
Find Your Path Forward

Hope is double-edged, false hope can set you on a collision course with despair. Know when your hopes are well-founded and how to turn your deep desires into results.

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