How 'Nudge Theory' Can Help You (and Others) Make Better Choices

• Reminders at the right time. Telling your partner in the morning to get something from the store in the afternoon will not be very effective, but sending them a text just as they leave work will.
• Planning prompts: getting people to make concrete when, where, and how you'll do something will increase follow through. A parent can ask their child "what time will you do your homework?" and "how will you remind yourself?"
• Discourage certain behaviours by putting small barriers between yourself and the behaviour. Putting your phone in a different room can prevent checking it every five minutes.

We want to do better, healthier things for our future selves, so it helps create nudges to make decisions in advance.

Creating a meal plan on your off day or signing up for a class at the gym a few days in advance will help to get your behaviour aligned with your long-term intentions, not just for what you want right now.