How to Change

The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

By: Katy Milkman, Angela Duckworth - foreword

Narrated by: Katy Milkman, Angela Duckworth

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Wall Street Journal Best Seller

"A welcome revelation." (The Financial Times)

Award-winning Wharton Professor and Choiceology podcast host Katy Milkman has devoted her career to the study of behavior change. In this ground-breaking book, Milkman reveals a proven path that can take you from where you are to where you want to be, with a foreword from psychologist Angela Duckworth, the best-selling author of Grit.

Change comes most readily when you understand what's standing between you and success and tailor your solution to that roadblock. If you want to work out more but find exercise difficult and boring, downloading a goal-setting app probably won't help. But what if, instead, you transformed your workouts so they became a source of pleasure instead of a chore? Turning an uphill battle into a downhill one is the key to success.

Drawing on Milkman's original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, How to Change shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. Through case studies and engaging stories, you’ll learn:

• Why timing can be everything when it comes to making a change
• How to turn temptation and inertia into assets
• That giving advice, even if it's about something you're struggling with, can help you achieve more

Whether you're a manager, coach, or teacher aiming to help others change for the better or are struggling to kick-start change yourself, How to Change offers an invaluable, science-based blueprint for achieving your goals, once and for all.

©2021 Katy Milkman (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Packed with research-backed paths to personal growth.” (NPR’s Life Kit)

“[Filled with] practical tips that can help you reduce stress, improve your mental health and live a better life.” (CNN)

"Simple yet profound insights.” (Behavioral Scientist)

Great Listen!

Very insightful and easy to understand. Finished in a day but the concepts will stick with you.

Just as great as one of her classes

I had the pleasure of being in Katy's class at Wharton and this book is a great summary of all the behavioral science concepts she teaches her students in her MBA course. She manages to distill complex behavioral science concepts into digestible insights with clear suggestions on how to implement them into your daily life. Definitely recommend.

Be all you can be. Nudging yourself to the best you.

Very insightful on why’s and how’s to making better use of your time. Do not read if you just want to wing it. Being your best requires planning and actions. The chapter on mentoring was especially helpful.

Great tangible ways to induce change

Chapter summaries are awesome at capturing the essence of the chapter, so that one can have a cliff notes of change to fall back on

Practical

After reading " The Power of Habit" a few years ago, I really wanted to learn about practical steps to make use of good habits and implement change. This book is a good guide and pairs well with books like " The Power of Habit" and " Grit". In my opinion, this book sits closer to "self help" than the other books I mentioned. Those books were more about the mechanics of habits and grit than necessarily, how to practically implement most of the findings

Great listen/read.

Excellent

What a great book to use as a tool to Change
Thank you
Mrs Milkman

Will buy paper copy now

I appreciated Katy’s contributions in podcasts like Hidden Brain and have been wanting to hear more. I found the content and organization very useful and Katy’s narration was enjoyable. I know I will reference this book in my efforts to meet goals. Buying paperback now.

Applicable opportunity

I really enjoyed the applicable components taught and provided thoroughly in each chapter. Can’t wait to start “changing”!

Science based approach on how to change

I am a big fan of behavioral economics, books on habit change and the like. This book was right up my alley and didn't disappoint. A ton of practical tips and (at least for geeks like me) a fun listen

Another roadmap

There's clearly a lot of science underpinning this book which is one of the reasons why I like it, I do tend to have a preference for things with the weight of science and data backing the advice and hypotheses.

There were echoes of reconfirming concepts that make it easier and believable to read and interspersed with some new (for me) insights that were the golden nuggets I am always looking for.

The author has a light-hearted writing style that draws you in, I'm sure her classes are most enjoyable too, how fortunate her students must be!