Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

Want to achieving lasting, transformative change? Then don’t rely on slick “habit hack” books, says Jason Hreha, an expert in the applied behavioral sciences. Jason is the author of Real Change: Moving Beyond Habits to Achieve Lasting Transformation. In this episode of 97% Effective, we discuss how habits differ from “transformative practices,” the 3 steps in his pyramid model -- and how introspection and creativity are critical to successful change. Listen if you want to finally achieve lasting change – and not fall off your goals.

SHOW NOTES:

• Jason’s hard truth: “Habits are overrated”
• The central message of his new book
• The big insight from Jason’s career creating habit forming products
• The overreach of habit formation and self-help books – wrong tool for the job!
• The pyramid, Jason’s transformative practice path model
• Step #1, Base of the pyramid: Optimize Your Energy by addressing “energy bottlenecks” and set your life up in the right way
• Michael’s question: Can you create a transformative practice if you only sleep 5 hours per night?
• Step #2, Middle of the pyramid: Habit Trading
• The 2-day diary exercise to uncover bad habits
• The brainstorm to determine new habits to substitute in
• New habits should have these 4 characteristics
• “Most habit formation issues are behavioral selection problems” (Where Jason differs from peers in his field)
• If you need a prize and reminder to do it… then it’s probably not the right habit for you
• Jason’s philosophy: let’s match you to the right habits and transformative practices to reach your goals
• Michael’s question: If we only do things (habits) we enjoy, can we still grow?
• People settle too early with their activities – and don’t explore or use their imagination
• Step #3, Pinnacle of pyramid: Transformative practices
• It all seems so simple – the 3 areas where people fall off
• How technology can help: ChatGPT as a powerful brainstorming tool
• Why there’s a perpetual market for habit automation books – and what pushback Jason expects his book will get from “habit hackers”
• Jason’s final beef with the current habit formation materials: they blunt our introspection and creativity

BIO AND LINKS:

For the past 15 years, Jason Hreha has applied behavioral science research and methodologies to solve hard problems in the technology world. He is the founder and CEO of Persona, The Assistant Company, the world’s leading provider of elite assistant talent – and serves as senior advisor at Edelman, a global communications firm, where he provides behavioral science insights and guidance to clients across industries and sectors. Jason graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology with a specialty in neuroscience, and co-founded successful startups, including Kite.io, a mobile search company that was acquired by Quixey, and Dopamine, the first tech-focused applied behavioral science firm. He also served as the Global Head of Behavioral Science at Walmart, where he co-founded and built the company’s Behavioral Science Team. Quoted widely in the media, Real Change is his latest book.

• His book, through his website: https://www.thebehavioralscientist.com/about
• Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hreha/
• On X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhreha?lang=en
• Persona, his company: https://www.personatalent.com/
• “Behavioral Science BS (And What to Hone in on Instead)” – Jason’s previous interview on 97% Effective: https://redcircle.com/shows/86fcd90d-083e-4af2-9bc8-6d52fb981ae1/ep/0310f040-0b91-4dce-901a-0c39433efb53
• Michael’s Book, Get Promoted: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74