Behavior Shift

07/20/2026

When we slip up, we often reach for the most self-punishing explanation: “I just need more .”

That's not helping.

The Willpower Fallacy

07/02/2026

Time moves in one direction. Memory moves in another.

We rarely remember our lives exactly as they happened.

Instead, our brains reconstruct the past. This highlights certain moments, while minimizing others, and often letting the ending define the entire experience. That's why one difficult conversation can overshadow years of friendship or one bad day can make us feel like we've failed.

Behavioral science reminds us that memory isn't a perfect recording. It's a story our brain continuously edits.

One way to improve that story isn't by looking backward, it's by looking forward.

A technique called a premortem asks you to imagine you've already reached the future and work backward from there. By anticipating obstacles before they happen, you make better decisions today and create experiences you'll actually want to remember tomorrow.

The future memories you're creating begin with the choices you make today.

What's one memory you're intentionally creating this week?

06/29/2026

One of the simplest ways to invest in your future is to become a lifelong learner.

Behavioral science shows that learning new skills strengthens cognitive flexibility, improves problem-solving, and helps keep the brain adaptable throughout life.

Research by neuroscientist Nina Kraus also demonstrated that learning music enhanced language skills too.

Growth doesn't always require dramatic change. Sometimes it starts with one new book, one new skill, or one new conversation.

What's something new you're learning this week?

06/24/2026

In the 1950s, one of our favorite social scientists, Herbert A. Simon, challenged the idea that human beings make decisions like perfect little optimization machines. Classical economic models often assumed that people evaluate all available options, compare them rationally, and select the one that maximizes utility. Simon thought this was elegant, but unrealistic.

Humans, he argued, are boundedly rational. We make decisions with limited time, limited information, limited attention, and limited computational capacity. We do not always find the best possible option. Often, we search until we find an option that clears an acceptable threshold. Then we stop.

Simon called this satisficing, a blend of “satisfy” and “suffice.”

That word sounds like settling, but it is actually a deeply humane insight. Satisficing recognizes that decision-making has costs. Searching, comparing, analyzing, second-guessing, and optimizing all consume time and energy. At some point, the value of finding a slightly better option is outweighed by the cost of continuing to search.

This is especially true for Satisficing Decisions. If you are choosing a major medical treatment, optimizing may be worth it. If you are choosing toothpaste, it probably is not. The trick is knowing which kind of decision you are facing.

That is harder than it sounds, because modern life is designed to make small decisions feel big.

The Strange Exhaustion of Low-Stakes “Satisficing Decisions”

06/22/2026

Our first kid’s book has hit the presses and my daughter approves 😊 (she should since she helped illustrate it 🤗).

“Baby Rabbit Builds a Habit” teaches behavior change to kids through Remy Rabbit’s bedtime routine.

More coming soon.

MCRL Overseas Group. We offset print planners, books & much more

06/22/2026

Gratitude doesn’t just feel good - it rewires out brain.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires the brain, boosting happiness, resilience, and even physical health.

Today I am grateful for genuine connection. In a world that feels more disconnected than ever, pausing to notice and appreciate those real conversations, shared laughs, or simply being fully present with someone can make all the difference.

What genuine connection are you grateful for today?

06/22/2026

Gratitude isn't just about the big things.

It's easy to feel grateful for major milestones like a promotion, a new home, a dream vacation, or a personal achievement. But research suggests that some of the greatest benefits of gratitude come from noticing the small, everyday moments we often overlook.

The quiet cup of coffee before the day begins. The warmth of the sun through a window. A peaceful walk. A deep breath after a stressful meeting. A moment of silence in a busy world.

These experiences may seem ordinary, but they are often the moments that help us feel grounded, present, and connected to our lives.

When we intentionally pause to recognize these small moments, we train our brains to notice more of what's good. Over time, this practice can increase wellbeing, reduce stress, and build greater resilience.

Today, I'm grateful for those quiet moments that bring peace.

What small moment are you grateful for today?

06/22/2026

AI adoption isn't just a technology challenge - It's a behavior change challenge.

Every AI implementation creates two systems:
- The visible system: tools, training, processes, and policies.
- The invisible system: what people believe, fear, trust, resist, adopt, and repeat.

In this new article, Kurt Nelson, PhD examines seven hidden human costs that organizations should consider as they integrate AI into the workplace.

We believe sustainable change happens when leaders understand the psychology behind adoption, not just the mechanics of implementation.

Successful AI transformation isn't about getting people access to a tool, it's about helping people use that tool in ways that improve decision-making, preserve critical thinking, strengthen collaboration, and build trust.

What companies miss when they focus on tools and training, but overlook the impact that its adoption has on employee cognition, collaboration, and culture. Kurt Nelson, PhD.