Lindsey Lieb of Happego Tells Us About Psychological “Priming” and “Nudging”

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Lindsey Lieb: We are well. It’s difficult to be isolated from a few of our everyday activities, but we enjoy family time. I want my daughters to have a full and active life. Time is really our only irreplaceable resource.

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded Happego.  

Lindsey Lieb: First, I am a mother and entrepreneur. I love trying to solve problems with businesses!

Second, I went through a difficult period in my marriage. I’m typically an optimistic person, but I found my thought patterns were stuck. I couldn’t stop obsessing over the problems. With each trigger, it became harder and harder to keep my chin up and my eyes facing forward. Until one day, my daughters and I were driving in the mountains. A car passed that triggered my obsessing, and then I saw a hound dog puppy running around a garden. It was so peaceful and wonderful. That’s when I realized that I had a choice. I could choose where to direct my thoughts. From there, I started connecting the dots. I have spent a lot of time with social psychologists and family therapists. That puppy running next to the garden “woke me up” to the power of changing my thought process.

So, I went to find a means of boosting my normally optimistic outlook. I began to research methods of reinforcing my natural, internal drive to face life with enthusiasm. In my research, I found priming.  

At first, I was skeptical. But, as I learned more and more, it became obvious from the scientific literature that the more conscious of a goal you are, the greater the effect priming can have. So, I used myself as my first test subject. And, it worked. I was able to work through some difficult times with my family and personal life. I found a new normal where I can live my life again with peace of mind. That was the basis for the company. I know I can help others in the same boat and those who just want to be a better version of themselves.

How does Happego innovate? 

Lindsey Lieb: We focus on using tech to improve attitudes, behaviors, and habits. We help our clients become better versions of themselves. I hope the app can be a truth-teller and motivational life coach that resides in our pockets. There’s a lot of science behind psychological “priming” and “nudging” in the behavioral economics world. If you have a goal, priming will reinforce your goal and keep you motivated. The more you want to reach your goal, the greater the effect and, cues have a strong impact. So, we use the gadget in your pocket for good! Each time you check your phone, it will prime you and reinforce your goal. 

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping?  

Lindsey Lieb: We see a lot of people suffering from isolation, anxiety, and fear. We created a priming “pack” just for COVID as well as one for priming hygiene. Humans do not do well in isolation. We need each other and reminders of where we want to be personally and professionally. Happego can help.

Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned?  

Lindsey Lieb: Starting a company requires an overwhelming load of work, tenacity, and money. I am constantly faced with difficult choices regarding people, technology options, and paying for it all. So, we absolutely made “difficult” choices. Some were good decisions; some bad. The greatest lesson learned is one I already knew – the company is the team. The team sinks or swims based on its chemistry, dedication, and vision. Now that we have the right team, all pulling in the right direction, we are poised to scale.

Your Website?

https://happego.app/