Change is a constant aspiration for many. Whether it’s adopting healthier habits, boosting productivity, or achieving personal goals, the desire to evolve is universal. Katy Milkman, an award-winning Wharton Professor and host of the Choiceology podcast, has dedicated her career to understanding the science of behavior change. In her national bestseller, How to Change, Milkman unveils a strategic and proven path to navigate personal transformation, offering insights that bridge the gap between where you are and where you aspire to be.
The core principle of How to Change lies in recognizing and addressing the unique obstacles that hinder individual progress. Generic solutions often fall short because they fail to account for personal roadblocks. Milkman argues that effective change is not about willpower alone, but about strategically tailoring solutions to overcome specific barriers. For instance, if exercise feels like a tedious chore, simply setting workout goals may not suffice. The book suggests transforming the experience itself, making workouts enjoyable rather than a burden. This shift from an uphill struggle to a downhill glide is presented as the key to sustainable success in personal change.
Drawing from her original research and collaborations with leading scientists, How to Change provides actionable methods for identifying and conquering common impediments to change. These include impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness – challenges familiar to anyone seeking self-improvement. Through compelling case studies and relatable stories, the book illuminates key principles for effective change. It emphasizes the significance of timing in initiating change, revealing how opportune moments can dramatically increase success rates. Furthermore, it explores counterintuitive strategies, such as leveraging temptation and inertia as assets rather than liabilities in the change process. Intriguingly, the book highlights the “advisor effect,” demonstrating how offering advice to others, even in areas where you personally struggle, can significantly boost your own progress.
How to Change is presented as an invaluable, science-backed blueprint for anyone seeking lasting personal growth. Whether you are aiming to guide others towards positive change as a manager, coach, or educator, or are personally striving to kick-start your own transformation, this book offers strategic insights and practical tools to achieve your goals effectively and sustainably.
