#TLDR: #PBJAM recommends you to be biased for specificity over vagueness, simplicity over complexity, and small steps over too-big-to-swallow targets
Welcome explorer! So, you clicked the link as you couldn't find any listed behavior that fits your needs? Great! Let's start your journey of writing up your own behaviors.
First things first! For #PBJAM to record your behavior correctly (and for other PB JAMmers to use it in the future), you need to:
Select the appropriate #PBJAM #facet from the #PBJAM #facet drop-down (in session 5 interface)
Type in your behavior briefly starting with Level 01 - , Level 02 - , or Level 03 - . Level 01 behaviors are finite, concrete and easy to understand, for example, "Leave office by 0600 pm at least twice next week" while Level 03 behaviors are more subjective and harder to measure, for example, "I want to be more concise". Typically, users should not attempt Level 03 behaviors unless they have completed at least 5 groups and have gotten a good feel for their abilities.
Put in a description of your behavior in the larger text box where you can expound on the brief behavior title typed in the behavior box. This is critical to make sure that even if a stranger reads this description, it would be clear to them what you are talking about.
That's it! Now, that you know the mechanics, let's discuss what makes for good behavior on #PBJAM.
Specificity helps. If the behavior is vague (e.g. 'make the world a better place'), it is hard to describe, measure, and improve upon. So, write something tangible, finite and clear (e.g. try out your elevator speech, introducing yourself to 15 new people over the next 4 weeks)
Simplicity helps. We have found time and again that simple behaviors are more likely to succeed than complex ones. For example, 'start work at 0900 AM on at least three days a week' is more likely to succeed than 'improve my punctuality by achieving not less than 80% on-time starts for work days'.
Stretch goals are good. Don't set a bar on behavior that is too high (e.g. never be late for meetings) or too low (e.g. be on time for at least one meeting per month). Reflect on where you are now (e.g. over the past month, I've been late for ~10 meetings out of 30 over the past month), define where you want to be (e.g. I would like to be on time for the majority of meetings, say 25 out of 30) and then, set the behavior that describes an achievable stretch (e.g. be on time for 25+ meetings per month out of 30 planned)
Small steps are better than huge leaps. Professional behavior improvement is a marathon and not a sprint! You don't have to become excellent over one year (practically, you can't). The PB Jam method is about steady and sustainable improvement. So, design behavior goals that are finite and a small step at a time for effectiveness
There you have it! You're now ready to type up that brand new behavior that fits your vision perfectly. All the best!
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