Interested in #behaviorchange
- Interested since: 2000
- Looking for mentorship: Yes
- Willing to mentor: Yes
- Level of interest (0-10): 10
- Level of mastery (0-10): 7
Origin story:
Behavior change is the holy grail of my life’s work. I think that’s the most grandiose way to put it (and why not be grandiose?). From my early interest in building recommendation systems at Amazon (2000-2004), to my obsession with cults (Scientology, Landmark Forum, Jonestown, Vipassana, The Secret, self-help in general, etc), to 43things.com, to 750words.com, to healthmonth.com, and now to bud.ge, I seem to be on an ever-tightening downward spiral onto this particular millenia-old problem.
I love a good personal challenge. I remember, way back when, trying to gain and lose 10 pounds in consecutive months just so that I could feel what the weight of change felt like when it wasn’t attached to desired outcomes. I’ve fallen for NaNoWriMo several times, and before Health Month was a website, it was a challenge amongst friends every January (which Kellianne and I are doing this year too, for old-time’s sake).
I like playing around with the question, “how do you change yourself?” It’s a riddle that seems obvious “just do it, fool!” and impossible “but I can’t!” at the same time. Some things work for some, and not for others.
Current focus:
Teasing out an understanding of why certain strategies work, how to become a better experimenter of my own behavior, and how to help others change their behaviors, is where I’m currently focusing my interest.
