Automatic You

A blog about behavioral engineering.

Social Comparison Theory
The Hidden Power of Social Comparison

Nir Eyal on March 10, 2025

Comparison can fuel growth or self-doubt. Learn how to reframe it as inspiration, harness its power, and turn it into a tool for success.

Comparison can fuel growth or self-doubt. Learn how to reframe it as inspiration, harness its power, and turn it into a tool for success.

Wisdom
How to Stop Overthinking

Nir Eyal on August 20, 2024

Rumination, or "overthinking," is a hallmark of poor mental health and unhappiness. It is a psychological tendency that, if left unchecked, can reduce our enjoyment of life.

Rumination, or "overthinking," is a hallmark of poor mental health and unhappiness. It is a psychological tendency that, if left unchecked, can reduce our enjoyment of life.

Optimism
Why Successful People Keep Getting More Successful

Nir Eyal on June 25, 2024

Do you know those people who just seem to get more and more successful? It’s as if each success gives them momentum to achieve even more.

Do you know those people who just seem to get more and more successful? It’s as if each success gives them momentum to achieve even more.

Leadership
Referent Power: The Ultimate Form of Influence

Nir Eyal on May 7, 2024

Referent power is potent because it doesn’t require that a leader micromanage, use coercion, or reward to influence others.

Referent power is potent because it doesn’t require that a leader micromanage, use coercion, or reward to influence others.

Self-Talk
Studies Show Self-Compassion Is the Motivator You’re Missing

Nir Eyal on April 23, 2024

Pushing ourselves and holding ourselves accountable are how we achieve success. Unfortunately, many of us mistake harsh self-criticism and self-castigation for “pushing ourselves.”

Pushing ourselves and holding ourselves accountable are how we achieve success. Unfortunately, many of us mistake harsh self-criticism and self-castigation for “pushing ourselves.”

Self-Control
Limiting Beliefs: Ditch the 4 Dream Killers Holding You Back

Nir Eyal on March 19, 2024

Next time your dreams seem unachievable, ask yourself whether you’re getting in your own way and take steps to overcome those limiting beliefs holding you back.

Next time your dreams seem unachievable, ask yourself whether you’re getting in your own way and take steps to overcome those limiting beliefs holding you back.

Heuristics
Sales Psychology: Why You Make Terrible Buying Choices

Nir Eyal on March 5, 2024

By understanding our psychology and using techniques to block the effect of psychological sales tactics, we can become less susceptible to the distraction of buying.

By understanding our psychology and using techniques to block the effect of psychological sales tactics, we can become less susceptible to the distraction of buying.

Attention
3 Steps to Master Your Emotions and Be Your Best Self

Nir Eyal on January 16, 2024

You won’t evolve if you ignore your emotions. I discovered the power of managing emotions when I set out to find a cure for my chronic distraction.

You won’t evolve if you ignore your emotions. I discovered the power of managing emotions when I set out to find a cure for my chronic distraction.

Relationships
How to Stop Arguing and Enhance Your Relationships

Nir Eyal on November 20, 2023

The question "How important is this to you on a scale of 1 to 10?” not only resolves disputes but also offers insights into a person’s commitment to the relationship.

The question "How important is this to you on a scale of 1 to 10?” not only resolves disputes but also offers insights into a person’s commitment to the relationship.

Workplace Dynamics
The Psychology of Pointless Meetings: Productivity's Killer

Nir Eyal on October 3, 2023

Organizations can implement a simple process to filter out all unnecessary meetings, leaving only those that provide value for employees, teams, and the business at large.

Organizations can implement a simple process to filter out all unnecessary meetings, leaving only those that provide value for employees, teams, and the business at large.

Boredom
When Do You Feel Most Creative? Why Ideas Bloom at Bedtime

Nir Eyal on September 12, 2023

More than 40 percent of people said being in bed spurs creativity, admitting they have their best ideas before sleep, in the middle of the night, and just after waking up.

More than 40 percent of people said being in bed spurs creativity, admitting they have their best ideas before sleep, in the middle of the night, and just after waking up.

Self-Help
Research Supports Morning Affirmations: Rise and Shine!

Nir Eyal on August 29, 2023

Even if you’re not sure about the power of self-affirmations, the science behind them is—when used correctly, they can significantly affect your mindset and behavior.

Even if you’re not sure about the power of self-affirmations, the science behind them is—when used correctly, they can significantly affect your mindset and behavior.

Time Management
Scheduling for Life's Surprises: When Timeboxing Is Toast

Nir Eyal on August 15, 2023

Having a hectic life is no excuse for constantly breaking a timeboxed calendar. “People make time for what they want,” as the saying goes. You should too.

Having a hectic life is no excuse for constantly breaking a timeboxed calendar. “People make time for what they want,” as the saying goes. You should too.

Creativity
You Don’t Have to Follow the Same Routines Forever

Nir Eyal on July 4, 2023

Experimenting with short-term routines has myriad benefits, including satisfying our need for novelty, and boosting our skills and creativity.

Experimenting with short-term routines has myriad benefits, including satisfying our need for novelty, and boosting our skills and creativity.

Aging
The Idea of Retirement Lets People Dream Big

Nir Eyal on June 20, 2023

What if you used retirement as a frame of reference to realize how you want to spend your time right now?

What if you used retirement as a frame of reference to realize how you want to spend your time right now?

Attention
How to Craft a Summer Schedule for Your Kids

Nir Eyal on June 6, 2023

Summer isn’t just an opportunity for kids to become indistractable; it’s also an opportunity for parents to learn to relinquish control to their kids.

Summer isn’t just an opportunity for kids to become indistractable; it’s also an opportunity for parents to learn to relinquish control to their kids.

Career
The 4-Day Workweek: How to Do More With Less

Nir Eyal on May 25, 2023

The four-day workweek may be in our future, and those who become indistractable will reap the benefits from the start.

The four-day workweek may be in our future, and those who become indistractable will reap the benefits from the start.

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Magazine
May 2025 magazine cover
May 2025
Why Your Quirks Are Your Superpowers

The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.