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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

277. How Small Choices Shape Better Communication

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart

Education, Career Growth, Career, Improv, Public Speaking, Influence, Career Skills, Communicating, Careers, Language Learning, Business, Communication, Leadership

4.7 • 805 Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2026

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Real change isn’t about knowing what to do — it’s about actually doing it, one small choice at a time.


Change doesn’t come from one big breakthrough. It comes from the small choices we make over and over — often in moments we barely notice.


Eric Zimmer, behavior coach, host of The One You Feed podcast, and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, says the real challenge isn’t figuring out what to do — it’s closing the gap between knowing and doing. “We all have areas where we know exactly what would help,” he says. “But somehow, we still don’t follow through.” His approach focuses on something simpler and more effective: small, low-resistance actions done consistently over time. “It’s not about doing everything,” Zimmer explains. “It’s about doing something — again and again — in the same direction.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zimmer joins host Matt Abrahams to unpack how lasting change actually happens. From building awareness in the middle of everyday life to designing habits that are easier to stick with, he shares practical strategies for turning intention into action. “You don’t need to wait until you feel ready,” he says. “You can act even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (03:11) - From Addiction to Transformation
  • (04:21) - The “Two Wolves” Parable
  • (06:06) - Awareness in Communication
  • (07:40) - Building Awareness Through Small Habits
  • (09:34) - The Knowing–Doing Gap
  • (10:58) - The SPAR Framework
  • (14:33) - Motivation vs. Action
  • (19:59) - The Final Three Questions
  • (25:26) - Conclusion

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Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, Matt here. Before we get started, we have some great guests coming up in the following weeks,

0:04.9

including Arthur Brooks, Tina Seelig, and Jefferson Fisher.

0:09.0

Please spread the word about Think Fast Talk Smart to your friends, colleagues, and coworkers.

0:14.1

And don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

0:18.1

Now a word from one of our sponsors.

0:20.3

Their support allows us to bring

0:21.5

you quality content free of charge. Good communication is essential to your career,

0:28.4

but it's not just how you speak, it's what you write. Emails, proposals, updates, those messages

0:34.0

shape how others understand your thinking and your credibility.

0:40.5

And often, you don't get a second chance to get that right.

0:43.2

That's one reason I've been using grammarly.

0:47.5

It helps you move from a rough idea to something clear and well structured.

0:52.6

Whether you're drafting an important message, outlining a proposal, or just trying to get your thoughts organized.

0:54.5

And then it helps you refine,

1:00.1

adjusting tone, improving clarity, and making sure what you send reflects how you want to come across.

1:05.9

What I appreciate is that it still sounds like me. It's not generic or overpolished. It helps me communicate more effectively without losing my voice. It also works across more than 500,000 apps and

1:12.4

websites. Having that kind of support can make a real difference. In a world of generic AI, don't

1:18.2

sound like everyone else. With Gramerly, you never will. Download Grammarly for free at

1:23.5

grammerly.com. That's Grammarly.com.

1:36.6

When it comes to communication and life, big things come from small things.

1:41.6

My name's Matt Abrahams, and I teach strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Welcome to Think Fast, Talk Smart, the podcast.

1:46.0

Today I look forward to speaking with Eric Zimmer.

...

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