Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson Self-Regulation: How a Little Becomes a Lot with Eric Zimmer
19 snips
Mar 30, 2026 
Eric Zimmer, behavior coach, podcast host, and author of How a Little Becomes a Lot, shares practical approaches to self-regulation and habit change. He discusses why insight often fails to produce action. He explores values versus immediate desires, managing shame and recovery, small consistent steps, and strategies for bouncing back after slips.
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Values Versus Desires Aren't The Same
- Distinguish values (what you decide is worth wanting) from desires (what you want now).
- Problems arise when values conflict with immediate desires or with each other, requiring ongoing negotiation not one-time decisions.
Moderation Attempts Preceded Acceptance Of Abstinence
- Eric tried moderation strategies for substance use before accepting abstinence.
- He joined Moderation Management and experimented (beer only, weekends only, marijuana) until those attempts showed they wouldn't work.
Let Behavior Reveal Priorities Without Shame
- Use revealed preferences as behavioral reality checks but avoid shaming yourself.
- Eric noticed alcohol became a higher priority than his son through repeated choices, prompting honest evaluation rather than self-condemnation.
