I'm looking for figures on will-power. How many people who try to lose weight, quit smoking, kick an addiction, start exercising, etc. will be successful (particularly long term)? In other words, I'm looking for experimental or population studies on how often people are able to change their behavior in significant ways when they resolve to do so. Well supported anecdotal data about large groups ("vietnam vets were(n't) largely able to quit heroin on coming home") is only slightly less appreciated.
posted by elektrotechnicus on Dec 14, 2009 - 2 answers

An app for that? I want to give my iPhone a list of things I want to collect data on. "How many of the last n days have I completed x" is exactly want I want to know. It's not a goal, it's not a habit, I'm not trying to hit a target weight, and I'm not trying to quit smoking. [more inside]
posted by phritosan on Nov 4, 2009 - 3 answers

Fingernail Filter: I know its been asked many times how to quit this compulsion. While that is a concern of mine, I need to know what to do to alleviate pain in the fingers from excessive fingernail biting. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Draccy on Nov 3, 2009 - 30 answers

I'm looking for ways to change my behavior. It's important for various reasons that I start reinforcing some behaviors and stopping others. I'm a procrastinator for one, and tend to start projects and not finish them for another. Is there a research backed methodology for doing so? [more inside]
posted by diode on Aug 22, 2008 - 11 answers

What can I do to stop/discourage my habit of pulling out facial hair? [more inside]
posted by spamguy on Jun 13, 2008 - 13 answers

I have Tourette Syndrome, and I can't stop jumping up and down. Help me rewire my defective brain to channel this activity into something less destructive. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Mar 31, 2008 - 37 answers

Dogfilter: We need help training our dog to sleep in her kennel and not in our bed. How can we do this? [more inside]
posted by birdlips on Mar 13, 2008 - 14 answers

I've always had a problem with pulling my beard hair out similar to other people's problems with biting their fingernails. This sort of behavior also runs in my family. What can I do to stop? [more inside]
posted by JacksonEsquire on Apr 30, 2007 - 17 answers

I'm starting a new job soon. What are some good habits to incorporate from day one? [more inside]
posted by sfkiddo on Apr 9, 2007 - 28 answers

I have a very strong image in my head of a nun who, instead of the traditional habit, is wearing a baseball cap of sorts. Where did I see this? [more inside]
posted by PinkStainlessTail on Oct 23, 2006 - 8 answers

What makes your todo list work for you? I don't care if it's digital or on papter, I want to know how you got in the habit of using a todo list everyday.
posted by the giant pill on Jun 18, 2006 - 33 answers

I have a habit of walking to and fro from one room of my house to another, whenever I am thinking something, or even when I am having my lunch or dinner ? I am aware this is not a good habit, as I waste valuable calories in the process (I am a thin person by the way). How do I get rid of this habit ? Please give some innovative ideas. Has anyone else suffered from the same habit ? Basically I am quite a restless person. This habit looks quite odd in front of guests.
posted by inquisitive on Feb 2, 2006 - 20 answers

Bottled juice is making me poor. [more inside]
posted by bigmusic on Jan 6, 2006 - 35 answers

I keep on getting in trouble for going over my daily download limit at work. Can anyone recommend an app which will track how much bandwidth i'm using throughout the day? (for Win XP) [more inside]
posted by pipstar on Jun 16, 2005 - 13 answers

I'm finally doing it. I'm quitting smoking - yay me! Anybody who has done this (and succeeded) - how did you get over the rough patches when the urge to light up was almost too powerful to ignore? [more inside]
posted by contessa on Jun 14, 2005 - 40 answers

Is it possible for a mid 30's person to change their life habits? Even more specificially, can a lifetime of disorganization be turned around into one of organization? (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Oct 9, 2004 - 9 answers

When I perform some everyday tasks, or walk past certain locations, I think the exact same things every time. It isn't just me, is it? Is there a term for these unbidden little standard thoughts, and can I train myself to stop thinking them? [examples inside] [more inside]
posted by jack_mo on Dec 15, 2003 - 13 answers