Pushkin

Hello Happiness Lab listeners and welcome to 2021.

If you're like me, you're probably hoping that the next 12 months will be a lot better than the year we just had.

You may even be considering changes you can make in your own life.

And of course, you're not alone.

Lots of people will be adopting New Year's resolutions this January to alter the way they look, think and behave.

Now, don't get me wrong.

I think making changes in our lives, especially at fresh start moments like the New Year, is a great idea.

The problem is, if we're not careful, our lying minds may wind up leading us off in the wrong direction.

Telling us to do things that will make us less happy than we think.

Or picking strategies that will make us lose morale and give up before we even get started.

The big temptation at this time of year is to be really hard on yourself.

To ruthlessly identify all the faults of your past.

To set the bar super high for what you want to achieve.

And to set out on some surprisingly punishing regimes in order to reach your goals.

I know this temptation well. I fall for it all the time.

But the science just doesn't back it up.

Strict diets, brutal exercise plans, and going cold turkey on the personal habits you want to shed.

These strategies just don't work.

But there is good news.

Because the psychological research points to a more effective path.

Over the next four episodes of this special season.

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