The Tim Ferriss Show #290: Gretchen Rubin — Experiments in Happiness and Creativity
Personality Predicts Habit Success
- The Four Tendencies explains why people respond differently to expectations and habit tactics.
- Categorizing as Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel clarifies which habit strategies will work.
Obligers: Use Outer Accountability
- If you are an Obliger, create outer accountability to meet inner goals: classes, partners, paid commitments.
- Use social or contractual pressure as a tool rather than a weakness to sustain habits.
Choose A One-Word Theme
- Pick a single theme word for the year to focus priorities (e.g., 'Delegation').
- Ask which tasks only you can do and delegate the rest to free your time.
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project, and Happier at Home. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold three million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages.
On her popular weekly podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft; they've been called the "Click and Clack of podcasters." Her podcast was named in iTunes's lists of "Best Podcasts of 2015" and was named in the Academy of Podcasters "Best Podcasts of 2016."
Fast Company named Gretchen Rubin to its list of Most Creative People in Business, and she's a member of Oprah's SuperSoul 100.
Enjoy!
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