What’s the trick to self control, better habits and being a good person?

Little reminders can dramatically improve our lives:

• Text message reminders encouraged saving, reduced smoking and increased voting.

• Toys and other reminders of childhood influenced people to act more ethically.

• Mentioning the Ten Commandments before a tempting situation reduced cheating.

• Guilting people works because reminding others of their transgressions causes them to improve their behavior. It also makes them more likely to accept apologies and forgive.

• Reminding employees how their jobs are important increases motivation.

• When reminders surround you they become part of your context and manipulating context is the most powerful way to improve your behavior.