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The School of Greatness · September 4, 2026 · 01:38:47

Why You Feel Stuck and How to Actually Change | Dr. Katy Milkman

Dr. Katy Milkman joins Lewis Howes to reveal why 80% of people feel stuck—it's not about willpower but underlying biases and sunk cost thinking. She unpacks the fresh start effect, temptation bundling, and the power of flexible backup plans to make habits stick. Drawing on her own research and her book "How to Change", she shares the exact if-then plans and commitment devices that help override impulsive choices. Milkman also offers a candid look at her own work-life balance struggles and what she’s doing to be more present with her young child. The conversation equips listeners with science-backed tools to forgive themselves for past failures and start again smarter.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

80% of People Feel Stuck — It’s Not About Willpower
Dr. Milkman points out that the majority of people feel trapped, and the real culprits are psychological biases, not a lack of self-control.
Katy Milkman explains that temporal landmarks (Mondays, birthtdays, new zip codes) reset our motivation, making us more likely to pursue change.

5 more ideas, 1 references & all timestamps

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