Summer Reading: Switch

(Video review at the Website)

Title:

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Authors:

Chip and Dan Heath

The Big Picture:

Ok, Switch is actually a business book. BUT…there are many things in this book that would be helpful to think about if you want to change something in your marriage.

The Heath Brothers talk about the two sides of the Brain — the emotional and the rational side, and give them the titles “Elephant” and “Rider”. To change anything in any situation, you have to Motivate the Elephant, Direct the Rider, and Shape the Path. Luckily, those are the sections of the book as well.

The Heath brothers give great examples of how to do these 3 things in business and in life. The writing is easy to understand and the examples are fun and inspiring.

Favorite things about Switch:

I enjoy the Heath Brothers. Their first book Made to Stick should be required reading for anyone who wants to tell a story, and make it “Stick”. Switch should be required reading for anyone who wants things to change for the better.

What can we apply to our marriages right away:

* Sitting down and writing out Goals for your marriage could help you get a vision for where you want to be…helping you start to change behaviors and attitudes about your relationship. (The Heath brothers call it ‘Scripting Critical Moves’)

* Notice and Remember past positives in your marriage (Called “Finding the Bright Spots)

* Build the Habit of taking Loving Actions (Build Habits)

* Surround your relationship with others who are positive influences to you and your spouse (Rally the Herd)

The Big Wrap up:

I really enjoyed this book, and think it would really do you well to read it, even though it doesn’t directly relate to marriage. The examples are very good, and it can motivate you to make positive changes in your relationship – or at least give you some tools to start!