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Automatic You

A blog about behavioral engineering.

Relationships
How to Stop Arguing and Enhance Your Relationships

Nir Eyal on November 20, 2023

The question "How important is this to you on a scale of 1 to 10?” not only resolves disputes but also offers insights into a person’s commitment to the relationship.

The question "How important is this to you on a scale of 1 to 10?” not only resolves disputes but also offers insights into a person’s commitment to the relationship.

Workplace Dynamics
The Psychology of Pointless Meetings: Productivity's Killer

Nir Eyal on October 3, 2023

Organizations can implement a simple process to filter out all unnecessary meetings, leaving only those that provide value for employees, teams, and the business at large.

Organizations can implement a simple process to filter out all unnecessary meetings, leaving only those that provide value for employees, teams, and the business at large.

Boredom
When Do You Feel Most Creative? Why Ideas Bloom at Bedtime

Nir Eyal on September 12, 2023

More than 40 percent of people said being in bed spurs creativity, admitting they have their best ideas before sleep, in the middle of the night, and just after waking up.

More than 40 percent of people said being in bed spurs creativity, admitting they have their best ideas before sleep, in the middle of the night, and just after waking up.

Self-Help
Research Supports Morning Affirmations: Rise and Shine!

Nir Eyal on August 29, 2023

Even if you’re not sure about the power of self-affirmations, the science behind them is—when used correctly, they can significantly affect your mindset and behavior.

Even if you’re not sure about the power of self-affirmations, the science behind them is—when used correctly, they can significantly affect your mindset and behavior.

Time Management
Scheduling for Life's Surprises: When Timeboxing Is Toast

Nir Eyal on August 15, 2023

Having a hectic life is no excuse for constantly breaking a timeboxed calendar. “People make time for what they want,” as the saying goes. You should too.

Having a hectic life is no excuse for constantly breaking a timeboxed calendar. “People make time for what they want,” as the saying goes. You should too.

Creativity
You Don’t Have to Follow the Same Routines Forever

Nir Eyal on July 4, 2023

Experimenting with short-term routines has myriad benefits, including satisfying our need for novelty, and boosting our skills and creativity.

Experimenting with short-term routines has myriad benefits, including satisfying our need for novelty, and boosting our skills and creativity.

Aging
The Idea of Retirement Lets People Dream Big

Nir Eyal on June 20, 2023

What if you used retirement as a frame of reference to realize how you want to spend your time right now?

What if you used retirement as a frame of reference to realize how you want to spend your time right now?

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.

Productivity
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.

Motivation
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.

Attention
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.

Anxiety
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.

Career
’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.

Productivity
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.

Cognition
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.