Marshall Goldsmith's previous book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" was very insightful and a must-read for the corporate world. His latest book "Triggers" is an exceptional and pertinent book for the present-day world.
A "trigger" is any stimulus that reshapes our thoughts and actions.
What will trigger us in a desired behaviour path?
This book helps you understand how to close the gap between "ideal you" and the "real you"
His understanding on why don't we become the person we want to be is worth reading many times. He calls this as "Belief Triggers" these stop behavioural change in its tracks. Generally we employ these to justify our inaction and then wish away the result. This sets the context for behavioural change and leadership.
He makes one realise, the high correlation of our behaviour with the environment we live in. His example on how spending time on airplanes has changed over last three decades is lucid to make us understand about environment triggers. Three decades ago being on plane was ideal environment for reading and writing in a place of serenity. But, now phones, screens and inflight environment has dragged the productivity. We think we control our environment but in fact it controls us.
I felt these are precious:
A) executing the change we hold as a concrete image in our mind is a process. The act of self-questioning- so simple, so misunderstood, so infrequently pursued- changes everything.
B) The concept of daily questions - "commitment device" - this focusses on where we need help, not where we're doing fine. It compels us to take things one day at a time. By focussing on effort, they distract us from obsession with results.
This book intends to spark many positives in you and make it last for a longer time.
A marvellous book by Mr.Goldsmith
