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Hey, Josh here. Lets dive in.

Let's be honest – we've all been there. You agree to something small, maybe signing a petition or trying a free sample, and somehow you end up buying the whole product line or volunteering for three different committees. What the hell just happened? Welcome to the wild world of commitment and consistency, one of the most powerful psychological forces quietly running your life.

Robert Cialdini's Chapter 3 in "Influence" dives deep into why humans have this almost obsessive need to appear consistent, even when it's working against us. And trust me, once you see this principle in action, you'll start spotting it everywhere – from your own behavior to every marketing campaign that's ever made you reach for your wallet.

Here's the thing about humans: we're wired to be consistent. It's not just a nice personality trait – it's a survival mechanism that's been baked into our brains for thousands of years. Humans have a deep need to be seen as consistent, and once we've publicly committed to something or someone, we're much more likely to go through and deliver on that commitment.

Think about it. If you tell your friends you're going to start working out, suddenly skipping the gym feels like betraying not just yourself, but your entire identity. People like to be consistent with their identity or sense of self image. This isn't weakness – it's actually a pretty smart mental shortcut most of the time. Consistency helps us navigate life without having to constantly re-evaluate every single decision.

But here's where it gets tricky. This same mechanism that helps us stay true to our values can also be hijacked by people who understand how it works.

One of the most fascinating concepts Cialdini explores is the foot-in-the-door technique. It sounds simple, but it's devastatingly effective. The foot-in-the-door technique uses the Commitment and Consistency principle by starting small and then asking for more after the initial commitment has been done.

Here's a classic example: researchers asked homeowners to put up a massive "Drive Carefully" billboard in their front yards. 83% refused. Makes sense, right? But here's the kicker – when they first asked different homeowners to display a small "Drive Carefully" sign in their windows, most agreed. Two weeks later, when they asked these same people about the billboard, a shocking number said yes.

Why? Because they'd already committed to being the type of person who cares about safe driving. The big ask suddenly felt consistent with their established identity.

Want to make a commitment stick? Write it down. The best commitments involve actions - writing is a good one. There's something almost magical about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). It transforms a fleeting thought into something concrete and real.

This is why testimonial contests work so well, why journals help with goal achievement, and why that fitness app keeps asking you to log your workouts. Once you've written it down, you've created evidence of your commitment – evidence that's hard to ignore or rationalize away.

Private commitments are powerful, but public ones? They're rocket fuel for consistency. Making a commitment public also helps with compliance, as that person wants to look consistent. Once we have made a choice or taken a stand, we will encounter personal and interpersonal pressures to behave consistently with that commitment.

This is why announcing your goals on social media can be so effective (and sometimes so stressful). It's not just about accountability – it's about maintaining your image as someone who follows through. Nobody wants to be known as the person who talks big but never delivers.

Start stupidly small. Want to read more? Don't commit to a book a week. Commit to reading one page a day. Once you've established the identity of "someone who reads daily," increasing the commitment feels natural, not forced.

Write down your commitments. Whether it's fitness goals, learning objectives, or relationship improvements, the act of writing makes them real. Keep a commitment journal or use apps that track your progress visually.

Go public strategically. Share your goals with people who matter to you, but be selective. The right audience will provide supportive pressure, not judgment that makes you want to quit.

Use the foot-in-the-door in negotiations. Start with small agreements before moving to bigger asks. Get people saying "yes" to little things first.

Create commitment-based systems. Instead of just assigning tasks, ask team members to commit to specific deadlines and outcomes. The act of committing (rather than just being told) increases follow-through.

Document agreements. Whether it's meeting outcomes, project timelines, or role responsibilities, writing things down prevents the convenient memory lapses that derail projects.

Make mutual commitments. Instead of demanding changes from others, suggest commitments you'll both make. "Let's both commit to putting our phones away during dinner" works better than "You need to stop looking at your phone."

Celebrate consistency. When people follow through on commitments, acknowledge it. This reinforces their identity as someone who keeps their word.

Understanding commitment and consistency isn't just about using it – it's about recognizing when it's being used on you. When consistency occurs unthinkingly it can create problems.

Watch out for:

The antidote? Pause. Ask yourself: "Am I doing this because it makes sense, or because I feel pressured to be consistent with something I said earlier?"

Commitment and consistency isn't just another psychological quirk – it's one of the fundamental forces that shapes human behavior. The principle of commitment and consistency is that of aligning actions, feelings, values, and beliefs, and when these elements get out of alignment, we feel genuine psychological discomfort.

The key is being intentional about your commitments. Use this principle to build the life you want, achieve your goals, and strengthen your relationships. But stay alert to when others might be using it to influence your decisions in ways that don't serve your best interests.

Remember: consistency is a tool, not a rule. The goal isn't to be consistent for consistency's sake – it's to be consistent with the person you actually want to become. Choose your commitments wisely, because once you make them, your brain will do everything in its power to make you follow through.

And honestly? That's not such a bad thing, as long as you're the one driving the bus.