We often think that the natural order of doing things goes step 1: be motivated, step 2: act. But sometimes acting first can lead to motivation. Basically, get up and get moving!
On the Pain of Paying for a Vacation
Ever have a great vacation experience only to have that blissed out feeling robbed by a big bill at the end? It turns out how and when we pay matters. But there are ways around it to help you sustain those sunshiney feelings. Today on Sassonomics: exploring the pain of paying for vacations.
On Sending Thoughtful Texts
In our busy, digitally-connected world, does sending a quick text or email checking in on someone really make an impact on the receiver? Science says… yes!
On How You’re Doing Feedback All Wrong
Leaders, you’re doing feedback all wrong and it’s threatening your ability to make a good feedback culture and drive excellence. Feedback is never neutral, how it’s communicated and by who matters. Want to get excellence from your people? Think about the human side of feedback.
On Returning to the Office - Here’s Why You Feel Extra Exhausted
I don’t know about you, but after returning for a day at the office, I’m totally exhausted. And I feel like I haven’t accomplished as much as usual. What’s up with that? It turns out, return-to-office exhaustion is real. Here’s what you can do about it.
On How Smart Are the Voices In Your Head?
Have you heard of the wisdom of the crowd? Estimates made by a crowd tend to be more accurate than an individual. But what if that crowd is… the voices in your head?
On How to Decline a Wedding Invitation Nicely
We inevitably won’t be able to go to every wedding we are invited to - why do people struggle to say ‘no’ even if they don’t want to (or can’t!) go? With over 2.5 million weddings expected in the US this year alone, let’s take a look at the Psychology of declining a wedding invitation… the right way!
On Which Bathroom Stall to Choose
We have probably never been as aware of the germs around us as we are now thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. As many of us prepare to head back to the office (or out in public in general!), Behavioural Science might be able to contribute to more than just your work, it can also help you pick the least icky bathroom stall at work!
On The Impact of Music on Shopping
We'd like to think that what we make our grocery decisions based on what's run out in our fridge at home. But it turns out that something as arbitrary as what music is being played in the store can impact what you buy. Are you being swayed by the music?
Sassy Mythbusting: Do We Use Only 10% of Our Brains?
There is a myth out there that humans only use 10% of their brain. Although there may be some people in your life that you believe to use even less of their brain than that (I kid, of course!), this is but a myth. Healthy humans actually use all parts of the brain.
On the Pomodoro Technique… Does it Really Make You More Productive?
In the face of extreme pressures to be productive, methods have arisen - like that of the Pomodoro Technique - promising to ‘hack’ your focus to get more done. Counterintuitively, such approaches typically suggest you can be more productive if you take a break. Is this really true? Science says… yes!
93 Things You Can Do Right Now If You Feel Sad
Almost two years deep into a global pandemic that has disrupted just about everything, we are faced with the newest setback: Omicron. Tensions are high. No one is happy. The world feels messed up. But there are some things you can do when you need a little pick me up.
On What’s The Big Deal about January 1st for New Goals?
What’s the big deal about January 1st as being a day to set and start new goals? Why not just start a new goal at any old time of the year? It comes down to three super cool concepts: the mental accounting of time, hyperbolic discounting, and social norms. Want to learn more about what those are? Check out a REVAMPED version of my very first Behavioural Sassonomics blog post from 2017 to kick off the new year with some new knowledge!
On Doing Favours… Do They Fade Over Time?
If I scratch your back, you’ll scratch mine, right? But does the power of a favour already done get stronger or weaker over time?
Sassy Mythbusting: There’s No Such Thing as “Type A” Personality
Welcome to the Behavioural Sassonomics series where we bust pop psychology myths! This new segment is intended to be fun, educational, and will surely make you look smart in front of your friends. Today: Type A Personality is NOT A THING.
On How Not All Feedback Is Created Equal
We live in a corporate culture where feedback is considered gold. But, in reality, not all feedback is fair or valuable. Might there be a difference in quality or reliability of feedback depending on who gives it to you? Absolutely.
On How Resilience Is Not What You Think
There is a general concept in the corporate world that employees and leaders alike need to endure and be more resilient. But what does resiliency really look like? Spoiler: it has a lot to do with how you rest and recover.
Sassy Mythbusting: Left Brain Logical vs Right Brain Creative
Welcome to the Behavioural Sassonomics series where we bust pop psychology myths! This new segment is intended to be fun, educational, and will surely make you look smart in front of your friends. Today: On how Left Brain vs Right Brain is NOT A THING.