BJ Fogg

I'm a Stanford behavior scientist. I've discovered new ways to change behavior. Learn more in my book

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

Tiny Habits is now a New York Times Bestseller.

I’m so grateful to the many people who made this a reality.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@WHOOP @WCVB Go, Ed!

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

I’ve been teaching adults since 1981.

Back then, I’d start each class with a quick round of intros. You know the drill: name and maybe a fun fact. It worked okay. But honestly? That felt kinda lame.

Over time, I realized: I could do better.

About 20 years ago, I changed things up. And this has made a big difference in my teaching. So I want to share what I do now. Whether I’m teaching Fogg Behavior Design in industry, or a class at Stanford, here’s my approach . . .

Key point --> I get to know each person before class starts.

At least a week ahead, I learn about each person. My team sends out a Google form, inviting people to share about themselves. Other times, I check out their LinkedIn or website.

I do my homework on each person.

By the time class begins, I usually know everyone’s name—and something meaningful about them.
This helps me teach better. I can customize my content & approach. I can get more engagement. And (hopefully) people feel seen and supported. Because I do care.

But I don’t stop there.

I also meet with people live—before class. Most often, I offer 15-minute Zoom chats the weekend before. Yep, this takes time. But it’s worth it.

Especially when I’m teaching a professional group, I like to bring everyone together the day before. Usually, most everyone attends. The session is just 30 minutes on Zoom. Casual vibe, but of course --> serious purpose.

When people meet each other ahead of time, they learn better. They feel more connected. More comfortable. More ready.

I try to be transparent when I teach. So at each pre-event session, I say something like this:

“By meeting me and others now, your brain won’t be so distracted tomorrow. You won’t be thinking, ‘Oh wow, BJ is more relaxed than I expected,’ or ‘Wait—she works at Google? I wonder if she knows my cousin.’

"Tomorrow you’ll be free to focus on learning. And you’ll be more likely to ask questions and share ideas.”

--
And yep—that’s what happens.

All this pre-work is an investment I make. I find it pays off for me – and for the people I teach.
__
If you’ve read this far, thank you. I hope you found this interesting and helpful.

If you’ve seen other ways to help learners *before* a course begins, I’d love to hear them.

(I want to acknowledge how Stephanie Weldy helps bring together the industry people I train. She makes it much easier for me to learn about each person and to host the meet 'n' greet in advance. Thank you, Stephanie!)

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@casey__allen haha. That was me. I tend to leave things in classrooms and planes and such. So I label most things.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

On Wednesday of this week, I’m training people who work for a wonderful nonprofit. I’m teaching them aspects of Fogg Behavior Design.

The nonprofit is an org you are familiar with, I’m sure. Their mission is to help people have better health and more hope.

Two of their leaders trained extensively with me, learning my models and methods. They reached back out because wanted to upskill their colleagues, so everyone on their team has expertise in my models and methods.

Stephanie Weldy is teaching with me. We always customize for our clients. We revise & revise.

Here’s how the process went: A while back, we outlined the 2.5-hour training -- a big Google sheet with about 120 rows. A few days later, we revised it. After a mtg with their leadership, we revised our outline yet again, dialing in our content to exactly what they need.

Now, we are ready.

We are confident that we are teaching the most helpful aspects of Fogg Behavior Design to 18 people who work for this wonderful nonprofit.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@Scobleizer Very consistently.

I'm trying to find the key (or keys) that lead to doing this habit without fail.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@AlexAndBooks_ @MichaelFishman Hooray

[Michael Fishman @MichaelFishman]

Excited for this magnificent book from my fiance Elaine Glass, out 4/30 from @HayHouse. Grateful for praise from @BJFogg @DrMarkHyman @BenGreenfield @WellnessMama @SecondFirsts @MastinKipp @PositiveKristen Order via https://t.co/HeLmlpRm1m
cc @Oprah @BreneBrown @Theholisticpsyc

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@MrSimmoSimpson I’ve been focused on project deadlines. Haven’t seen your email. If I don’t respond by end of day on Monday, can you please resend? Thank you

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@MrSimmoSimpson My colleague Steven Crane has more expertise in this area. He could be a very good match for you. Email me and I will intro you to him.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@MrSimmoSimpson We are looking for input on what would help people the most. That's part of the research. I welcome your ideas.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

. . .
I invite you to join a Stanford mini-conference (online) that's all about helping households with health behaviors.

Yes -- households.

Most interventions focus on individuals. But we believe there's big potential for helping households change together.

The event is free.

More here:
https://t.co/RqUeZGMpua

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@joebart Good for you!

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@leflowCA @Clubhouse Yes!

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@wwwyyytttb Yes. In a couple weeks we will announce how to sign up to attend. Right now, we are pulling together the speakers.

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

When it comes to behavior change, it's sometimes best to focus on the household, not the individual.

--> The household as the unit of behavior change <--

At Stanford, we are seeking speakers for an online event on this topic.

Interested? Please see this page: https://t.co/RqUeZGMpua

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

Wanna relax?

A new type of Hawaiian music launched today, called “pewa.” I’m loving it, so I wanted to share.

There’s a public radio interview w/ the artist (he’s a PhD in music and Hawaiian studies): https://t.co/PmrE8unZSE

His album is on Apple Music: https://t.co/3DQk9IOioC

Enjoy!

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@CarnivorousMe1 Hooray for you!

[BJ Fogg @bjfogg]

@todd_herman Excellent posts!

[Todd Herman 👓 @todd_herman]

I've done over 19,000 hours of 1:1 coaching since 1997.

Here are the 5 most (potentially) polarizing takes I have related to performance: