This week’s must-reads: I Changed My Mind About Saying ‘Merry Christmas,’ and You Should Too

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!

I Changed My Mind About Saying “Merry Christmas” and You Should Too (NirAndFar) I recently changed my mind about “Merry Christmas”. I no longer see it as insensitive, and I don’t mind when people say it.

Habits Are Overrated [AUDIO] (Podcast) Trying to build a habit is often a self-defeating trap. Building a habit for the wrong behavior is like trying to hammer in a nail with a screwdriver.

How to Deal With the Chronic Bailer in Your Life (Shondaland) We’ve all got that chronic “bailer” in our lives who takes the bailing a little too far.

7 Powerful Habits of People With High Emotional Intelligence (Inc) You don’t get where you want to be without practice. Here’s how and what to practice.

Are people lying more since the rise of social media and smartphones? (The Conversation) Technology has given people more ways to connect, but has it also given them more opportunities to lie?

That is Not How Your Brain Works (Nautilus) Forget the scientific myths to better understand your brain and yourself.

Happy reading!

- Nir