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Behavioural Science Tip
Psychological research shows that we are more likely to change our behaviour when we do the following
things:

1 Make a commitment in writing that outlines how you ‘will’ change;
2 View the change you’re making as part of your collective identity (think “we’re the type of people who
care about the environment and climate change, so we don’t leave the tap running when we clean
our teeth”);
3 Make specific plans about how, when and where you’ll make the change: For example: “When I stack
the dishwasher in the evenings after dinner (when) in the kitchen (where), I’ll only press the button to
run it when it is completely full’ (specific behaviour, described using positive action words);

4 Making your desired behaviour change alongside other people, like the people in your group, is a
whole lot easier than trying to do it on your own – the more you act together to make your desired
changes, the easier it will be.

Step 3 Commit to your actions (20 mins)

In your group, have a brief chat about the action or actions above that you’re each committing to between
now and your next meeting. Talk through what you each need to complete these actions. How are you going
to do them? When? With whom?

Using the table below as a guide, write your actions down. Use language that firmly commits you to your
desired change and states when and where you’ll carry out this action (studies show that this makes it more
likely you’ll successfully carry out the action).

For example: ‘I will replace my shower-head by going to Bunnings next Saturday morning and buying a 3-star
showerhead, then unscrewing the one in my bathroom when I get home that day and replacing it with the
the new one’.

Team Action Plan
Use this table to write out a couple of the actions that you each intend to carry out.

(Optional) Buddy
(who will check up on you to
Specific How you’ll do this
Commitment / Pledge see whether you’ve made your
behaviour (Include When and Where)
desired change / or help you
make the change

by driving to the hardware
store in Dickson next Jen will go with Lily on
replace her shower-head
(Example) Lily will Saturday morning and Saturday and buy her
with a 3-star one
buying one, then replacing it showerhead then too.
when she gets home

Name will...

Congratulations! You’ve just finished your first workshop! Go you!

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