This week’s must-reads: How an accountability buddy can help you achieve your goals

In my work as a behavioral designer, I come across important stories on how psychology influences our behavior. Every week, I share my round-up of the most important stories at the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. I hope you enjoy them!

You Don’t Need a Mentor. You Need a Buddy. (NirAndFar) Finding an accountability buddy is a simple and highly effective way to keep yourself going.

Here’s How to Ensure Your Kids Don’t Spend the Entire Break Staring at Screens [AUDIO] (Podcast) There’s nothing wrong with some device time. Just use these tips to make sure your kids don’t overdo it.

Why We Need Boundaries More Than Ever (Yahoo! Life) There is a huge amount of confusion as to what boundaries are — and what they aren’t. It’s important to know the definition.

How to escape the cynicism trap [VIDEO] (TED.com) Some days it’s hard to be optimistic. But cynicism is making humanity lonelier and more divided.

Our fondness for narratives is driving us mad (Boston Globe) We seem to be in a golden age of storytelling. Is it inhibiting rather than creating empathy?

Why I’m a proud solutionist (Technology Review) History teaches us how to be brutally honest about a problem and yet optimistic for a technological solution.

Happy reading!

- Nir