Think Thursday- Micro-Yeses: How Change Really Happens
In this Think Thursday episode, Molly breaks down a powerful concept at the heart of sustainable habit change: micro-yeses. These are the small, often overlooked decisions that align with your long-term goals—even if they feel too minor to matter.
Whether you're working on behavior change related to exercise, diet, spending, screen time, or any other habit, micro-yeses are the building blocks of momentum. This episode explores how these tiny choices affect the brain, create identity shifts, and lead to real progress over time.
Key Topics Covered
- What a "micro-yes" is and why it matters
- How small decisions activate the prefrontal cortex and build new neural pathways
- Why repetition, not perfection, drives real behavior change
- The role of self-recognition in maintaining motivation
- What behavior scientists like BJ Fogg say about starting small
Science and Insights
- Micro-yeses interrupt automatic behavior loops by engaging intentional brain regions like the prefrontal cortex
- Through consistent action, these moments create synaptic plasticity, helping rewire the brain for new habits
- As Stanford researcher BJ Fogg notes:
“Tiny actions, repeated consistently, change identity.”
Reflection Prompt:
Where have you said yes to yourself this week, even in a small or imperfect way?
Recognize it. Count it. It matters.
Related Episodes to Explore
- The Fresh Start Effect (January 1)
- Neuroscience of Follow-Through (January 8)
- Identity Lag: Why Your Brain Hasn’t Caught Up Yet (January 15)
