Influencer The Power To Change Anything

What Hacker News says

1. aikNov 2011
   There are a lot of really good ones here. Three more:

   On overcoming cognitive bias (and understanding how mindsets influence motivation, personality, and behavior): Self-Theories by Carol S. Dweck

   Mental peformance: The Inner Game of Tennis - The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance

   Mental Models on influence: Influencer: The Power to Change Anything

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2. faroutApr 2011
   Very interesting.

   Here is a nice synopsis of a case studied in the Influencer book about the Carter Center helping to rid Guinea worm infections in several African countries: http://www.joshhunt.com/mail215.htm

   I have problem accepting your conclusion from your blog:To make the long-term consequences of failing at your goal immediate, you need a bright and painful line.

   I think it more complex than that, which you alluded to earlier. I am constantly trying to be a better me. Losing money would not be an incentive to me if milestones were not met as you recommended.

   The book, "Change or Die", talks about Dick Cheney needing a yearly heart bypass and then finally getting $6M/invested in chefs/fitness trainers/doctors/retrofitted planes to change himself (basically to exercise 1 hour a day). This is even before his recent massive weight loss.

   It also talks about, people with fatal diseases that refuse to take their daily meds as required. Why? I mean it is fatal. They will die.

   Taking the pill every day made them realize they were dying. Forgetting to do so, made them have a happier less depressing day. I guess quality versus quantity. In this case if the pill was somehow better integrated, so they would not notice it much and reflect so much, they might consistently take it.

   I also liked this synopsis of take aways from this MS project manager about the Influencer. the Power to Change Anything: http://sourcesofinsight.com/2009/06/09/influencer-the-power-...

   Also, you may have already seen this, Sendhil Mullainathan's, "THE IRONY OF POVERTY" http://www.edge.org/documents/archive/edge263.html in which he talks one such problem diarrhea causing infant deaths and how to successfully change the mental model of the parents to save infant lives.

   I have not yet read PG's essay.The Wikipedia article was a nice read. Thanks!

   PS There are some interesting books on how train and change behaviors in animals since I think in end we more like animals than we care to admit.

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3. faroutFeb 2011
   Wow that is harsh.

   When I read her article, I shared it with my husband and my mom. My mom was shocked and saddened by it. My husband understood that she was essentially saying that she believed that her child could do it - like a coach who constantly pushes you because she believes in you even if you don't believe in yourself.

   I personally could not do this someone.

   However, it comes how to you convince someone that is worth the effort. There is an excellent book "Influencer: The Power to Change Anything" with great examples like curbing HIV transmission and eliminating guinea worm parasite. The bottom-line is the person who needs to do the change has to answer 2 questions essentially: Is this worth it? and am I really capable of doing it?

   For Amy's children she is answering question 2 for her children.

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4. faroutApr 2011
   I can not recall that exact title of the book something about ants and elephants (looked on amazon - did not recognize those books) but these are my takeaways from it:

   1. state your goals

   2. write down your milestones - must be actual measurable metrics

   3. write reasons why you will not reach them - expect the unexpected; yes you can not expect all the unexpected but this is preparing you so that when there are issues, which are guaranteed to happen, this is how you need to respond without your emotions totally taking over.

   4. Write down what you will do when you encounter these problems. Again be specific. Think of this a as a recipe book/play book.

   5. write down the rewards you will give to yourself for each milestone achieved. You need to put a positive feedback loop as incentive. Worked in kindergarten with goldstars.

   6. and from the another book: Influencer: The Power to Change Anything answer the 2 Qs:

   Do I think I can do it? (meaning skills and resources)

   Is it worth it to me to do it?

   Wow, a lot of work? Sure is. Worth it. Yes.

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