getAbstract Summary: Get the key points from this book in less than 10 minutes.

Though there is not a lot of new material here, Noah Blumenthal manages to combine diverse ideas and create an extremely practical guide to personal change. He takes in two valuable elements. First, he is clear and methodical. Some books on change hurl readers into the process, but his multistep plan walks readers through every stage of building awareness and making changes. He demystifies the change process, suggesting small, manageable steps. Second, he insists on the importance of the larger context in determining behavior. Blumenthal gets readers to scour their past, present, future and surroundings for the factors that trigger, reward or support their bad behaviors. Likewise, he insists that readers get feedback from those around them and ask for considerable support. The result is an immediately applicable book. However, the advice might seem somewhat uncomfortable, as it exposes one's efforts to the (supportive) scrutiny of an entire community. getAbstract recommends it to readers who accept the author's call for emotional honesty and are seriously committed to change.

Book Publisher:

Berrett-Koehler