15 Comments

Choose a life partner who is the poster child for conscientious behavior. My husband has no idea how many cookies I haven’t eaten with him as a role model.

Expand full comment

Ha, this is exactly my strategy too. He’s just naturally conscientious - it’s much harder for him to sit around doing nothing vs crushing his to do list (our taxes get filed the instant the W-2s become available).

Expand full comment

Amazing, aren’t they?

Expand full comment

I’m really looking forward to your book!

Expand full comment

My whole life up until now fits your framework regarding self control and yet tomorrow I will still try to develop more self control. Funny how human mind overestimate the amount of effort one can put in these things

Expand full comment

Definitely agree with this! After ages of trying to develop the self control to use my phone less I finally gave in and started just leaving it behind or putting it in another place when I could so I wouldn't need self control, and it seems like that's the only real way to do it.

Expand full comment

Well, for me--perhaps not others--the key to reaching goals is to figure out a way to enjoy the process to get there. I have zero discipline, but I get lot of shit done by: (1) simplifying my life and (2) using my brain to find ways to enjoy the road to my goals. For instance, figure out an exercise program you love doing. Otherwise, you have no chance of keeping it up.

Expand full comment

Hey Olga, just read your recent piece on preppers. Appreciate knowing what fellow liberals are up to. I was surprised by, "What is the likelihood that Republicans would outlaw not just Plan B, but also birth control, which is used by 82 percent of reproductive-age women?" If you don't already follow the relentless work of Jessica Valenti, it's time!🙏🏻💪🏻

Expand full comment

Olga, could you link the academic article individually or write down the name? The hyperlink doesn’t seem to be redirecting correctly for me

Expand full comment

I’ve always thought that with any task it is much easier to just Do the Thing and get it over with than it is to sit around worrying about Doing the Thing. Or it seems easier not to eat the cookies than it is to eat the cookies and then have to go buy new pants. I guess I am conscientious but in fact it has always just seemed like the easier path to me. So maybe I’m actually a bit lazy :)

Expand full comment

Let's face it, they're just born that way.

Expand full comment

Pre-ordered your book! Looks interesting!

Expand full comment

+1 for CorePower Yoga. I moved to a different state and don't live near one anymore, but the cardio sculpt class was fantastic.

I've come to think that pretty much everything including politics comes down to mostly immutable personality characteristics, which in turn comes down to genes.

Expand full comment

I wonder how much of “contentiousness” is just the intelligence to figure out how to ease the path to a good life.

Expand full comment