2025 Meta-Analysis

The Highest Leverage Decision
For Your Future Self

Prioritizing social connection isn't just a leisure activity; it is a strong predictor of happiness and longevity.

Biological Impact of Isolation

According to a meta-analysis by Julianne Holt-Lunstad (BYU) covering 300,000+ participants, social integration is a stronger predictor of mortality than many clinical risk factors.

!

Equivalent to 15 Cigarettes/Day

Lacking social connection carries a mortality risk roughly equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

50% Higher Dementia Risk

Loneliness is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 29% increased risk of heart disease.

The Solution

The Transformative Power of Ritual

The difference between "wanting to see friends more" and actually doing it comes down to one thing: implementation.

Compare the approaches ↓

The Default

"Let's grab drinks sometime"

Success Rate
35%
per attempt
Typical Attempts
~12
per year
Annual Result
4
hangs actually happen
Requires re-initiating every time
Scheduling conflicts kill momentum
"Sometime" has no commitment power
Research-Backed
Implementation Intention

Weekly Ritual

Success Rate
91%
per week (Gollwitzer)
Opportunities
52
weeks per year
Annual Result
47
hangs actually happen
Pre-committed: Decision made once
Calendared: Protected time slot
Automated: Reminders handle logistics
The Implementation Intention Effect
12× More Connection
47 hangs vs 4 hangs = 1,075% increase in quality time with friends

Success rates based on Gollwitzer (1999) implementation intentions research. Goal intentions alone: ~35% success. With implementation intentions: up to 91%.

Why Does This Work?

Behavioral science (Gollwitzer, 1999) reveals the critical difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it.

Goal Intention

"I want to see friends more often"

35%success

Vague desires without specifics.
65% never happens.

+160%
Implementation Intention

"Every Tuesday at 7pm, I'll be at the pub"

91%success

Specific time, place, and action.
Pre-decided = Pre-done.

The Psychology Behind It

1

Reduces Friction

No decision to make in the moment. The "when" and "where" are already solved.

2

Creates Automaticity

The cue (Tuesday 7pm) automatically triggers the behavior, bypassing willpower.

3

Builds Identity

"I'm the person who has Tuesday dinners with friends" becomes part of who you are.

OpenYard = Implementation Intention, Automated

We create the calendar container. You just show up.

Based on Gollwitzer (1999) and Sheeran (2002) meta-analysis of implementation intentions

Commit to the Ritual

The research is clear: The logistics of modern life are eroding our health. The antidote is a simple, recurring commitment.

OpenYard

Start Your Weekly Hang

Simple tools to lock in your commitment to friends and your future health.

Create a Commitment