Sean Young

No More Missed Deadlines: Ending Procrastination Forever

Should I do my homework now or wait until tomorrow? Should I answer this email now or address it another time? Should I finish writing this sentence or… We all know the experience and negative effects of procrastination. Conventional wisdom teaches us that people who procrastinate are lazy and unmotivated. That not only makes people feel bad and makes the problem worse, but it’s not the correct science.

Behavior change science paints a brighter picture, that changing and preventing procrastination is possible. This course will teach the science behind lasting change and how it can be applied to prevent procrastination. It will teach students about the 3 types of behaviours (A, B, and C behaviours) and the set of 7 tools or forces that can be used to change these behaviours, with a focus on how to prevent procrastination and get work done more efficiently.

By the end of this talk, audience members will be able to identify their behaviours, create plans for changing them, and develop plans that can be adapted for others as well.

Letting Go of Smartphone Addiction Forever

Although technological devices, such as smartphones, have made our lives more productive and efficient, they’ve also led to detrimental effects on mental health, including smartphone addiction. Conventional wisdom has taught us that we’re doomed to become dependent on and addicted to our devices in the future, but behaviour change science paints a brighter picture, that change is possible. It is possible to live a life where we use technologies without being addicted to them.

This course will teach the science behind lasting change and how it can be applied to manage unhealthy smartphone behaviours so that people can use technologies safely and healthily. It will teach about the 3 types of behaviours (A, B, and C behaviours) and the set of 7 tools or forces that can be used to change these behaviours, with a focus on how to create long-term changes in how we use technologies.

By the end of this talk, audience members will be able to identify their behaviours, create plans for changing them, and develop plans that can be adapted for others as well.

Keeping our Promises to Ourselves: A Lasting Approach to New Years' Resolutions

People love making New Years’ resolutions for change. But how long do they change usually stick? Not long. Gyms are packed for the first 2 weeks of the new year then they’re empty. People change their nutrition routines for a week then go back to eating junk food. How can we get ourselves and others to stick to healthier lifestyles? Conventional wisdom teaches us that people who can’t keep healthy are lazy and unmotivated. That not only makes people feel bad and makes the problem worse, but it’s not the correct science. Behavior change science paints a brighter picture, that changing and sticking to a healthy routine is possible.

This course will teach the science behind lasting change and how it can be applied to health behaviour change. It will teach students about the 3 types of behaviours (A, B, and C behaviours) and the set of 7 tools or forces that can be used to change these behaviours, with a focus on how to make health behaviour change like exercise, nutrition, and quitting smoking stick.

By the end of this talk, audience members will be able to identify their behaviours, create plans for changing them, and develop plans that can be adapted for others as well.