Better than Before | Gretchen Rubin | Talks at Google
When we change our habits, we change our lives. Gretchen Rubin stops by Google for a conversation with Logan Ury.
From Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, comes a groundbreaking new book that will change your perspective on habits forever.
Whether good or bad, habits are the invisible architecture of our everyday lives. Habits shape our existence and our future; we repeat about forty percent of our behaviors every day. But while changing habits may be simple, it’s not easy. And most of us have no idea where to start.
Gretchen Rubin is one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on happiness. Her pioneering work on the subject, which is at the heart of her bestsellers The Happiness Project and Happier at Home (which have sold more than two million copies worldwide), has sparked powerful conversation about the human search for happiness.
Now, in a provocative yet practical new book, BETTER THAN BEFORE: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives (Crown; On Sale March 17, 2015), she turns her attention to the crucial question: How do we change our habits?
With her signature mix of rigorous research, easy humor, and personal experimentation, Gretchen identifies and illustrates the core principles of habit change. In doing so, she answers questions such as:
--At times I’ve picked up a habit overnight, but other times it takes years to develop. Why?
--Why do some people resist habits while others adopt them eagerly?
--I want to help my child/spouse/colleagues make a change. What can I do?
--How can I keep my healthy habits when I’m surrounded by temptation?
--Why can I make time for everyone else, but I can’t take time for myself?
--Why do I find it tough to create a habit for something I love to do?
As BETTER THAN BEFORE makes clear, and as we all know from practical experience, there is no one-size-fits all solution. To change our habits, we must first figure out ourselves. Some people do better when they start small; others, when they start big. Some thrive with occasional breaks from good habits, while others do better when they never break the chain. When we choose the strategies that work best for us, going to the gym can be as automatic as putting on a seatbelt. Filing expense reports or passing up that piece of chocolate cake won’t drain us. With a foundation of good habits, we can build a life that reflects our values and goals.
Whether you’re a perpetual procrastinator; a yo-yo dieter; a pack-rat; a leader who would like to see employees work better and be healthier; or a parent who wants to instill good habits in your child, BETTER THAN BEFORE will help you harness the power of habits to create lasting change.
Пікірлер: 25
I agree (39:05):. How to help others to change to be successful is much more crucial and interesting question. Like your family, friends, kids. A teacher, a coach etc
What strikes me is that Aristotle pretty much said a lot of this same stuff 2300 years ago in his Nicomachean Ethics. We all seek happiness. The many seek it through health, wealth, and power. The wise recognize that happiness is the product of good habits that create virtues within us. She definitely has some helpful tips on forming habits, but her core message is basically one that we as a culture used to know.
@Fuliginosus
7 жыл бұрын
A rewrite of Nicomachean Ethics is long overdue.
This is extremely interesting. Thanks Gretchen!
Great talk. I've read a lot of self help books on this topic, of varying usefulness. But this author seems pretty down to earth. I like that she admits to what doesn't work for her, i.e. meditation. While I'm sure mindfulness works for a lot of people, it feels something like a fad. I'm tempted to check out her book to see what other techniques she recommends to build good habits.
I'm a huge Gretchen fan. Thank you for this. I'm about to do my own book review of Better than Before and this will help contextualize it.
Very helpful interview. Thank you!
Don't underestimate that turtle! That turtle has needs. That turtle has dreams...
I love that she ditched meditation. Now I feel better about ditching yoga. It irritated me in the worst possible way - if that instructor, in her breathless, ethereal voice said one more time, "Downward facing dog" I was going to stab myself in the eye.
@dorothygooch9559
8 жыл бұрын
Loved this book!. download mp3 version @ tinyurl . com \ qxkcyo6 . remove spaces.
I always say a good quiz should make you say "wait, there are people that don't do that?"
I am definitely an obstainer
How weird that--around minute 34--Gretchen Rubin feels people should not be able to refuse to be organ donors. Their choice on forms asking the question should not be "No," but only "Not at This Time." My respect for her has plummeted on hearing her endorsement of this attempt to disallow the legitimate decisions of people.
@Eliesam98
8 жыл бұрын
uuhyyyyy78
@katiekat4457
7 жыл бұрын
Ma Bee She wasn't pushy about it. It's just her opinion which as she knows doesn't matter because she is in no position to decide or enforce it. I think you are making a much bigger deal about it than it actually is. It didn't even sound like she actively works on getting more organ donations or even actively advocates for it. Just sounded like it was something she really would like to see increase. I think you are just being defensive. Listen again to her tone of voice. She just saying something that she likes and has personally touched her life.
My first ex-wife was a moderator
@Seeker0fTruth
5 жыл бұрын
Reuben Lowing lol I guess better late than never to learn about the idiosyncrasies among human beings!
Selling books that just further uphold the current system and making money off of it.
This woman says "like" way too much.
Ok... lost all respect when you cant even acknowledge that addictions are a real thing. ... wow...
@Seeker0fTruth
5 жыл бұрын
I’m only 30 minutes in and haven’t heard that yet? Curious when she says that?!
@dawnpost3603
5 жыл бұрын
Agreed. Very reckless comment!
truly bad. don't get it. my gf din't got any result.