Frequently asked questions about thinking, epistemology, and cognitive tools. 209 answers
Eliminating unnecessary choices preserves willpower for essential ones.
Removing temptation costs no willpower — resisting it costs a lot.
Small acts of self-control can gradually increase your willpower capacity.
Most people who seem to have strong willpower have actually designed their lives to need less of it.
Stress drastically reduces available willpower — account for this in your planning.
An elegant behavioral system achieves its goals while requiring almost no willpower.
When who you think you are and what you do are misaligned the result is internal friction.
People act consistently with who they believe they are.
Each behavior you perform reinforces an identity — choose which identity you are voting for.
I am a person who does X — this framing makes behavior change about becoming not just doing.
What stories do you tell about yourself that may be limiting your behavior.
When you change your behavior you must also update your self-concept to match.
Sometimes your behavior changes before your identity catches up — expect the delay.
If you identify as both a hard worker and a relaxation lover the conflict creates friction.
Finding ways to hold multiple identities coherently rather than in conflict.
Holding your identity lightly enough to update it when evidence warrants.
The groups you belong to shape which behaviors feel identity-consistent.
Your work behavior should be consistent with the professional identity you are building.
Behavior shapes identity and identity shapes behavior — this loop can be leveraged.
You do not need a dramatic identity transformation — small consistent actions gradually shift identity.
A strong identity provides behavioral stability during turbulent periods.
When unsure what to do ask what would a person with my declared identity do.
Some identities you held in the past no longer serve you — release them deliberately.
Your identity should reflect your values and your behavior should reflect your identity.