A Day on Behaviour Change

Learn how to make changes that last in 2020.

Usually, when trying to make a change, we think willpower is the answer.

If we just try harder and be more disciplined, it’ll work this time.

But very often, it doesn’t.

A 2016 study found that 80% of New Year’s Resolutions fail by the second week in February.

Whether we want to give up smoking, start exercising, or commit to a new habit, often we find our best efforts fall to the wayside, and after a few weeks we’re right back where we started.

Worse still, now we feel guilty we’ve ‘failed’ which can make us feel less motivated to try again in the future.

Could it be that most of us are just lazy and irresponsible? Or might it be that we don’t understand how our brains really work and the actual science of changing behaviour? In other words, might our common sense about behaviour change be wrong?

A growing body of research indicates that if we want to make changes that last, willpower is not the answer.

Rather, there are evidence-based approaches now being used every day to help people drop extreme addictions and develop new empowering habits.

So for your New Year’s Resolution this year, what if you tried a different approach? One that was evidence-based and scientifically proven to make changes that last – even in extreme cases?

Might you also get a different result?

On Sunday 26th January 2020, three of the UK’s leading experts on behaviour change will present lectures on:

• Neuroplasticity & Behaviour Change; how past experiences influence your perception, personality and behaviour today, and practical neuroscience-based insights for making the changes you want in your life – Dr Gabija Toleikyte, PhD

• How to Make Changes that Last; the truth about the behavioural, psychological and cultural factors that lead to change, and how you can apply these insights to create lasting changes in your life - Sophie Sabbage

• Placebos and Behaviour Change; the role of unconscious processes in change, and how we can hack the amazing power of placebos for changing behaviour; both on a personal, and societal level - Rory Sutherland

You’ll learn how these unique insights can benefit your own life, but also your ability to help others too.

Lectures & Speakers

Neuroplasticity & Behaviour Change - Dr Gabija Toleikyte, PhD

Dr Gabija Toleikyte is a neuroscientist and business coach. She completed her PhD at the University College London on the neuronal basis of memory and navigation. During her PhD, Gabija acquired a business coach qualification and worked as an internal coach at UCL for senior academics and administrative staff.

Combining coaching experience with neuroscience insights allows Gabija to develop unique seminars, where solid neuroscience research is presented in the context of the topics relevant for individuals and organisations.

How to Make Changes that Last - Sophie Sabbage

Sophie is a writer, speaker and transformational facilitator who has worked in the field of human development, mindset transformation and corporate culture change for over twenty years. During that time, she co-founded an award-winning consultancy with her mentor, Dr. K. Bradford Brown, an exceptional psychologist and theologian who was a direct student of Carl Rogers, Viktor Frankl and Alan Watts--three of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century.

Since being diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer in October 2014, Sophie has drawn on all her skills, wisdom, courage and tenacity to pull herself back from the brink of death and create her life anew. Instead of going to war with cancer she chose to listen to it, thrive with it and transform her life in response to it. This has included redefining her work so she can continue to be of service within the limits of her illness.

All of Sophie's work is dedicated to awakening the mind and freeing the spirit through bold, authentic and creative engagement with the challenges of life. You can find out more about her work at www.sophiesabbage.com.

Placebos and Behaviour Change - Rory Sutherland

Rory is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy in the UK, and the co-founder of a behavioral science practice within the agency. He works with a consulting practice of psychology graduates who look for ‘unseen opportunities’ in consumer behaviour - these are the very small contextual changes which can have enormous effects on the decisions people make - for instance tripling the sales rate of a call centre by adding just a few sentences to the script.

Before founding Ogilvy’s behavioral science practice, Rory was a copywriter and creative director at Ogilvy for over 20 years, having joined as a graduate trainee in 1988. He has variously been President of the IPA, Chair of the Judges for the Direct Jury at Cannes, and has spoken at TED Global. He writes regular columns for the Spectator, Market Leader and Impact, and also occasional pieces for Wired. He is the author of two books: The Wiki Man, available on Amazon at prices between £1.96 and £2,345.54, depending on whether the algorithm is having a bad day, and Alchemy, The surprising Power of Ideas which don't make Sense, which was published in the UK and US in March 2019

Rory is married to a vicar and has twin daughters of 17. He lives in the former home of Napoleon III - unfortunately in the attic. He is a trustee of the Benjamin Franklin House in London and of Rochester Cathedral.

For a full breakdown of the lectures, speakers (and their reading recommendations) emailed to your inbox, please click here.

Event Schedule

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: Neuroplasticity & Behaviour Change - Dr Gabija Toleikyte
• 12:00 - 1:00pm: Lunch break
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm: How to Make Changes that Last - Sophie Sabbage
• 3:00pm - 3:30pm: Afternoon break
• 3:30pm - 5:00pm: Placebos and Behaviour Change - Rory Sutherland
• 5:20pm - 7:00pm: Attendee Social & Networking (Optional)

Testimonials from Previous Attendees

Still not sure what to expect? Read what previous attendees have said here.

Who is this event for?

You might be:

• A mental health practitioner; psychotherapist, counsellor or coach, attending for continuing professional development
• A psychology student seeking to broaden your knowledge in different areas of the subject
• Considering a transition into a career in psychology, but not sure exactly what route to take yet
• A member of the general public attending for the sheer joy of learning and exploring your curiosity.

TWU Guarantee

The Weekend University seeks to guarantee an excellent learning experience.

If you are not fully satisfied with the day, you will receive 100% of your money back, and we will cover the cost of your travel to and from the venue.

Refund Policy

We offer a full refund if you cancel within 7 days of the event date.

For cancellations in the week leading up to the event, tickets are transferable but non-refundable.