Episode 58 with BJ FOGG: Tiny Habits, Big Changes
Designs by Iris Deng.
BJ Fogg is a behavior scientist, with deep experience in innovation and teaching. At Stanford University he’s directed a research lab for over 20 years. On the industry side, BJ trains innovators to use his work so they can create solutions that influence behavior for good. The focus areas include health, sustainability, financial wellbeing, learning, productivity, and more. In 2002, he published a book entitled, Persuasive Technology, about how computers can be designed to influence attitudes and behaviors. At the time of publication this book was mostly ignored. Now, almost 20 years later, the predictions and warnings about persuasive technology were surprisingly accurate. In 2009 BJs research interests moved away from persuasive technology toward human behavior in general, especially health habits. This led to creating a new set of models and methods that comprise what he calls “Behavior Design.” In January of 2020 I shared 300 pages of new and practical uses for Behavior Design in my New York Times Bestselling book Tiny Habits. Today he devotes about 50% of his time to Stanford and 50% to industry teaching & innovation. For him, working in both worlds makes sense: his Stanford work makes him better in industry. And what he learns in industry improves his Stanford research.
Important links
Say hi 👋 to BJ: Twitter | Tiny Habits | Website | Stanford Lab