Motivational books and self-help guides have stormed shelves across the globe over the last few years. Well, everyone likes to read something on issues that affect all of us at some level of abstraction. And in today?s time and age, success at all levels and in all spheres, from personal to professional is the most seductive, and in no uncertain terms, a common weakness for most of us lesser mortals. Change Anything, from its cover, appears to be one of the many books doled out by some invisible but extremely active assembly line of books on personal success. But here?s the difference, this book talks more on behavioural science, and in tangible terms at that, than about the ever-elusive and abstract success, that makes it worth the time for the reader.
Written in a very matter-of-fact manner, the book reads more like a research summary on experiments on human behaviour. While it can get a little dull because of this reason, it makes it look a lot better and convincing than its shoddy cousins cluttered on shelves across book-stores. Its tangible and practical arguments and solutions are its its USP. So when it tells you that we must ?escape the willpower trap?, one might get shocked, thinking, wasn?t will power supposed to be the singular force to drive any change in a human being? But the analysis of social and behavioural experiments is explained in fluid detail how willpower isn?t the one-stop-shop for solutions to life?s problems, but a part of a larger mesh that we all need to manage??Our primary problem isn?t that we?re weak; it?s that we are blind?and when it comes to long-standing habits, what you can?t see is usually controlling you.?
The book suggests that there are six sources of influence that affect us and our decision-making ability in everyday life. These work in combination, and we mostly fall in a trap. But as corroborated by practical scientific experiments in the book, one can make them work in one?s favour as well, which frankly is the stated mantra to anywhere-and-everywhere-success in these 262 pages. And does it leave anything out of its gambit? Well, from ?how to get unstuck at work? to ?how to lose weight and get fit-and stay that way?, the book tries to give something to everyone. Relationships, financial fitness, addiction, career, weight loss and career; the topics in focus, in more ways than one, list the predominant motivations and probable problem areas for most.
Another interesting element of the book is the exclusive ID code that it provides those who buy the book. The readers can use this code to log-in to the book?s website and access videos related to experiments discussed in the book and other material as well. A concoction that surely brings in some more value to the publication. While the website doesn?t bring anything earth-shatteringly new or different from the book, it supplements arguments and assertions in Change Anything well enough for one to start believing them. A nice little attempt at media convergence for enhanced impact and influence.
All in all, you end up being just about convinced about the arguments and solutions put forth. Maybe we need to get ourselves out of the willpower trap. What more do you require apart from sheer will to implement what you read? That?s what comes first to mind when you finish reading this book. Maybe nothing more or nothing less is required. And that?s where the real test for self-help and success guides comes in. Their success really depends not so much on their popularity, but simply on the actions and real changes they inspire in someone.