Why Public Accountability Isn’t Enough to Change a Habit

Hi friend,

We’ve all heard this advice:

“If you want to change, tell people. Go public. Accountability will keep you on track.”

Wendy Wood’s book Good Habits, Bad Habits opens with a story that challenges this idea.

Her cousin had a clear goal: lose weight and get healthier.

She posted daily updates, shared progress pics, and opened up to friends online. It seemed like the perfect way to stay accountable.

But over time, the posts stopped.

And the changes didn’t stick.

Why?

Because going public may start a habit; but it doesn’t sustain it.

Habits aren’t built on motivation; they’re built on repetition.

The truth is, most of what we do isn’t driven by willpower. It’s habit.

From morning routines to snacking at night, we act out patterns we’ve repeated dozens or hundreds of times.

Public accountability makes us feel seen, but it doesn’t rewire those automatic patterns.

Environment matters more than social pressure.

According to Wood, the most powerful driver of lasting habits is context, not motivation.

Her cousin’s real progress came not from her public updates, but when she changed her environment and routine:

• Keeping healthy snacks within reach

• Removing cues that triggered late-night eating

• Making walking or movement part of her daily loop

Sharing isn’t bad, but it’s not the system.

Posting progress online can feel good, but unless it’s paired with environment design, consistent routines, and friction reduction, it often fades.

So if you’re trying to lose weight, build a writing habit, or wake up early, start by designing your environment and routine. Make it easy to repeat, not just easy to announce.

💬 Have you ever shared a goal publicly only to drop it later? What helped you actually stay consistent? (Reply to this email/DM or comment below)

P.S.

📬 Want to launch your own newsletter?

Take my free email course at StartYourNewsletter.today or start immediately with a free Beehiiv account!

Thanks for reading!

Selim

www.selimuysal.net | DailyHabits.blog

LinkedIn | Twitter/X