{"id":5428,"date":"2010-03-15T04:00:57","date_gmt":"2010-03-15T09:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelhyatt.com\/?p=5428"},"modified":"2010-03-15T04:00:57","modified_gmt":"2010-03-15T09:00:57","slug":"book-notes-switch-by-chip-heath-and-dan-heath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/book-notes-switch-by-chip-heath-and-dan-heath\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Notes: Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why is it is so difficult to change? Whether it is our personal lives, our organizations, or our communities, real and lasting change is difficult. According to Chip and Dan Heath, the primary obstacle is a conflict that\u2019s built into our brains. In their new book, Switch<\/a><\/em>, they explain this conflict and, more importantly, how to overcome it to create the outcomes you want.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

You might remember the Heath brothers from their bestselling book, Made to Stick<\/a><\/em>. I have personally read it through three times. It is must reading for professional communicators and presenters\u2014or anyone who wants their message to be memorable.<\/p>\n

In their newest book, the Heaths outline the psychology of change. They begin by explaining that our brain is comprised of two systems: the rationale and the emotional. Building on the work of psychologist Jonathan Haidt and his book, The Happiness Hypothesis<\/a><\/em>, they employ the metaphor of a Rider on an Elephant. The Rider represents the rationale side of our brain; the Elephant represents the emotional side. When these two systems are in alignment, change comes rapidly and easily. When they are not, change is slow and difficult.<\/p>\n

After the first chapter which describes the challenges of change, the book is divided into three sections, expressed as three action-steps necessary to effect change:<\/p>\n

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  1. Direct the Rider<\/strong><\/li>\n