'Temptation Bundling': How to Pair Matiks With Your Guilty Pleasures

Let's be honest: there are things we should do for our long-term benefit (like train our brains) and things we want to do for immediate pleasure (like listen to a juicy podcast or watch that new TV show). Behavioral science has a brilliant strategy for bridging this gap called "Temptation Bundling." The idea is to link something you want to do with something you should do, making the "should" activity instantly more attractive. It’s a powerful life-hack, and it can transform your daily Matiks session from a discipline into a delight.

The Simple Genius of Temptation Bundling

The concept, developed by researcher Katherine Milkman, is a formal way of leveraging rewards to build good habits. The rule is simple: you only allow yourself to indulge in a "want" while you are performing a "should." By pairing an instantly gratifying activity with one whose benefits are more delayed, you get an immediate hit of motivation to perform the beneficial habit. You stop seeing it as a chore and start seeing it as an opportunity to get the thing you want.

Your Personal Matiks Temptation Bundles

The key is to pick a "want" that you can enjoy simultaneously with or immediately after your Matiks session. This creates a powerful ritual that you'll genuinely look forward to each day. Here are some concrete examples to get your creative juices flowing:

• The Podcast Bundle: "I'm only allowed to listen to my favorite comedy or true-crime podcast while I am completing my 10-minute Matiks challenge."
• The Caffeine Bundle: "I will make my special, fancy latte, but I will only let myself drink it while I am doing my daily Matiks puzzles."
• The Entertainment Bundle: "I can watch the next episode of my current binge-worthy show, but only after I've finished my Matiks session for the day."
• The Comfort Bundle: "I'm allowed to take a 10-minute break on the comfy sofa, but only if I'm using that time for Matiks instead of mindless scrolling."

Why Matiks is the Perfect "Should" Activity

Temptation bundling works best when the "should" activity isn't miserable. Matiks is ideal because it’s a beneficial habit that is already intrinsically rewarding. When you solve a puzzle, you get a natural dopamine boost from the "Aha!" moment.

When you bundle this with an external temptation, you get a double-dip of positive reinforcement. The pleasure from your podcast or coffee becomes associated with the act of brain training, and the satisfaction from solving the puzzle makes the entire experience even more enjoyable. It creates an incredibly robust and self-reinforcing habit loop.

Stop trying to force yourself to build good habits with sheer willpower. Instead, design a system that makes them irresistible. Pick your favorite guilty pleasure, bundle it with a daily Matiks session, and start looking forward to the smartest, most enjoyable part of your day.