Automatic You

Career

Are You a Wage Slave?

Nir Eyal on February 18, 2022

Being a wage slave means you are stuck doing a job solely for the money. You can’t quit, because leaving would have terrible consequences for you and your family.

Being a wage slave means you are stuck doing a job solely for the money. You can’t quit, because leaving would have terrible consequences for you and your family.

Attention

What Is the Opposite of “Distraction?”

Nir Eyal on February 9, 2022

You can't call something a distraction unless you know what it is distracting you from.

You can't call something a distraction unless you know what it is distracting you from.

Leadership

Don’t Fall for This Excuse Trap

Nir Eyal on February 1, 2022

Don't be content to stay stuck in the status quo; you have to be willing to make a change in order to bring about change.

Don't be content to stay stuck in the status quo; you have to be willing to make a change in order to bring about change.

Internet Addiction

Screen Time for Kids: Give Them What They Need

Nir Eyal on January 22, 2022

Society's fear of technology destroying our children's future has reached a fever pitch.

Society's fear of technology destroying our children's future has reached a fever pitch.

Career

How to Get the Most Out of Your Calendar

Nir Eyal on January 17, 2022

By turning our values into time, we make sure we have time for traction. If we don’t plan ahead, we shouldn’t point fingers.

By turning our values into time, we make sure we have time for traction. If we don’t plan ahead, we shouldn’t point fingers.

Attention

How to Be Less Distracted

Nir Eyal on January 8, 2022

Relinquish your notions about what fun should feel like and open yourself up to seeing your daily activities in a new way.

Relinquish your notions about what fun should feel like and open yourself up to seeing your daily activities in a new way.

Addiction

The Problem With the Idea of Tech Addiction

Nir Eyal on January 2, 2022

Clearly, there are many problems Big Tech needs to be held accountable for. But spreading the untruth that our devices are controlling all of our brains doesn't help anything.

Clearly, there are many problems Big Tech needs to be held accountable for. But spreading the untruth that our devices are controlling all of our brains doesn't help anything.

Self-Control

What Everyone Should Understand About Willpower

Nir Eyal on December 24, 2021

Holding on to the idea that willpower is a limited resource can actually be bad for you, making you more likely to lose control and act against your better judgment.

Holding on to the idea that willpower is a limited resource can actually be bad for you, making you more likely to lose control and act against your better judgment.

Internet Addiction

Is Tech Ruining Kids? How to Safely Manage Screen Time

Nir Eyal on December 21, 2021

When kids act in ways we don’t like, parents crave a scapegoat. It’s easy to blame sugar, or technology, or whatever other culprit lurks nearby.

When kids act in ways we don’t like, parents crave a scapegoat. It’s easy to blame sugar, or technology, or whatever other culprit lurks nearby.

Career

How to Repair a Toxic Work Culture

Nir Eyal on December 13, 2021

Psychological safety is the antidote to unhealthy work environments and a toxic work culture.

Psychological safety is the antidote to unhealthy work environments and a toxic work culture.

Diet

How to Stop Doing Things That Don't Serve You Well

Nir Eyal on December 3, 2021

The process of unwinding bad habits takes years, but progressive extremism is an effective way to stop behaviors that aren't serving you.

The process of unwinding bad habits takes years, but progressive extremism is an effective way to stop behaviors that aren't serving you.

Smoking

How To Disarm Internal Triggers and Improve Focus

Nir Eyal on November 29, 2021

While we can’t control the feelings and thoughts that pop into our heads, we can control what we do with them.

While we can’t control the feelings and thoughts that pop into our heads, we can control what we do with them.

Internet Addiction

The Most Important Skill Kids Need

Nir Eyal on November 19, 2021

Technology is becoming more pervasive and persuasive. It’s their responsibility — as well as their right — to use their time wisely.

Technology is becoming more pervasive and persuasive. It’s their responsibility — as well as their right — to use their time wisely.

Attention

The Reason Apple and Google Want You to Use Your Phone Less

Nir Eyal on November 15, 2021

Apple and Google are making it easier for consumers to cut back on phone use because it is in their interest to do so.

Apple and Google are making it easier for consumers to cut back on phone use because it is in their interest to do so.

Career

1 Thing You Need to Know to Save You From Your Email Inbox

Nir Eyal on November 4, 2021

By proactively making time in your day for people to discuss important issues that would otherwise clog your email inbox, you’ll spend less time emailing.

By proactively making time in your day for people to discuss important issues that would otherwise clog your email inbox, you’ll spend less time emailing.

Marriage

The Secret to True Kindness

Nir Eyal on October 30, 2021

Defaulting to the benefit of the doubt by assuming positive intent, especially with those who are close to you, can help you live more joyfully.

Defaulting to the benefit of the doubt by assuming positive intent, especially with those who are close to you, can help you live more joyfully.

Career

How to Get (and Stay) Focused

Nir Eyal on October 19, 2021

By learning not to complain, scheduling indulgences, and understanding your internal triggers, you can harness the power to stay focused.

By learning not to complain, scheduling indulgences, and understanding your internal triggers, you can harness the power to stay focused.

Time Management

Understanding Why You Lose Focus

Nir Eyal on October 15, 2021

Understanding what distracts you is critical in being able to overcome those distractions and regain your focus.

Understanding what distracts you is critical in being able to overcome those distractions and regain your focus.

Heuristics

Why You Make Terrible Life Choices

Nir Eyal on September 29, 2021

While the fundamental attribution error has some benefits, it also has a downside when it comes to how we think about others.

While the fundamental attribution error has some benefits, it also has a downside when it comes to how we think about others.

Memory

Peak-End Rule

Nir Eyal on September 25, 2021

The peak-end rule serves a key evolutionary purpose – it helps us avoid devoting more brain capacity to memories we don’t need.

The peak-end rule serves a key evolutionary purpose – it helps us avoid devoting more brain capacity to memories we don’t need.