📅 August 23, 2021

Temptation Bundling

Temptation bundling is the concept of bundling "want" experiences (listening to podcasts, drinking coffee) with valuable "should" behaviors (exercising, deep work).

Following the study as designed means restricting the "want" experiences to the times when you are doing the "should" behaviors. For example, you would only listen to podcasts when you exercise. I don't do the restriction piece for podcasts and exercising, as I listen to podcasts while doing various other activities. I do however restrict drinking coffee to deep work, specifically when starting the workday Monday through Friday. It gives me something to look forward to. I don't drink coffee on the weekends except on rare occasions. There are other benefits to restricting coffee on certain days outside of temptation bundling that I notice, such as reducing caffeine dependency.

I find my podcast and exercise bundling to be a gentle push that helps my exercise habit stay consistent. I find my coffee and work bundling gives me something to look forward to during the mornings where I need some motivation.

Are you temptation bundling things without even knowing it? Let me know 👇

# lifehack