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Before Breakfast

If, when, then

25 Jun 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.031 - 23.354 Brendan Boyle

This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human. Run a business and not thinking about podcasting? Think again. More Americans listen to podcasts than add supported streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. And as the number one podcaster, iHeart's twice as large as the next two combined. Learn how podcasting can help your business. Call 844-844-iHeart.

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23.374 - 56.329 Laura Vanderkam

Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeart Radio. Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's tip is that if you are working toward a goal, decide on how you will react every time you encounter specific circumstances. If and when something happens, then you will do this and you will keep making progress.

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58.199 - 84.055 Laura Vanderkam

Today's tip, like another from this week, comes from social psychologist Robert Cialdini's book, Persuasion, a revolutionary way to influence and persuade. It is easy to set a goal, but sometimes we don't make progress toward the goals we set. Sometimes we give in to temptation. Other times we simply forget about what we plan to do.

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85.334 - 112.067 Laura Vanderkam

or we get distracted from our intentions and don't end up following through. Cialdini's solution is to make what he calls if-when-then plans. He explains they are designed to help us achieve a goal by readying us, one, to register certain cues and settings where we can further our goal, and two, to take an appropriate action spurred by the cues and consistent with our goal.

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113.465 - 140.907 Laura Vanderkam

You notice when the opportunity to make a choice comes up and you know what to do in these moments. Cialdini gives the example of making a plan that if and when you're at a work lunch and the server asks whether you'd like to order dessert, and perhaps others are too, then you will order mint tea. I bet you can think of a lot of similar if, when, then plans that you could make.

141.882 - 170.32 Laura Vanderkam

Maybe you're trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. You could set a plan that when you're having a meal, then you are having produce. This seems fairly doable. You may not love the salad at your neighborhood pizza parlor, but that is beside the point. The point is that anytime you are having a meal, you are having fruit or vegetables. You do what is necessary to make that happen.

171.987 - 193.61 Laura Vanderkam

Perhaps you're trying to spend less time on social media. You could say, if and when I am inclined to check Instagram, then I will get on my Libby app and read a chapter in a book first. You can get on social media after that, if you still want to. You might be trying to create more social connection in your life.

194.872 - 209.928 Laura Vanderkam

You could say, when I'm having lunch during the work week, then I will connect with other people. Whether by eating in the break room, going out to lunch with a friend, or if I'm eating alone, texting a friend or family member.

Chapter 2: What is the main goal of creating if-when-then plans?

211.83 - 241.879 Laura Vanderkam

I think if, when, then is a great planning tool. You're identifying in advance specific actions you can take to move toward your goal. You're then tying those actions to particular circumstances that are likely to occur. When those circumstances arise, you are able to recognize them. And you know exactly what you will do. In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening.

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243.162 - 278.809 Laura Vanderkam

And here's to making the most of our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast. If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at laura at lauravandercam.com. Before Breakfast is a production of iHeart Media. For more podcasts from iHeart Media, please visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

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288.897 - 314.021 Hoda Kotb

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314.461 - 318.465 Hoda Kotb

Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb is presented by CVS.

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319.913 - 338.918 Chuck Bryant

Hey, this is Chuck from Stuff You Should Know, and we're submitting our most science-y episodes for your peer review with our new Stuff You Should Know Doing Science playlist. Out now. You want to know about Occam's razor? The simplest explanation is usually the right one. We got you covered. Wondered what chaos theory is ever since the first time you saw Jurassic Park? Well, come on down.

338.898 - 354.04 Chuck Bryant

So distill a nice pot of tea, everybody. Turn down the gas on your Bunsen burner and slip into your most comfortable lab coat and listen to the Stuff You Should Know Doin' Science playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

354.06 - 357.885 Brendan Boyle

This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.

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