Stick with It Book Summary - Stick with It Book explained in key points
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Stick with It summary

Sean D. Young

A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life – for Good

4.3 (119 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

Stick with It by Sean D. Young is a book about the science of behavior change. It explains why we struggle to stick with our goals and offers practical tips for developing sustainable habits.

Table of Contents

    Stick with It
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 8

    If you’re looking for more motivation, break down your dreams into manageable steps.

    No matter how big your goal is, try to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

    Indeed, the first tip for achieving your goals is to know that your mind will respond better to small steps than to giant leaps.

    Just consider a 2012 study that followed the progress of 126 overweight women who were trying to lose weight. The researchers found that those who focused on short-term goals, like sticking to low-calorie food every day, were more likely to lose weight. Not only that, but those who focused on hitting long-term goals, like losing a certain amount of weight by the end of the month, actually gained weight.

    Short-term goals are effective because they take advantage of the way your mind works. For instance, the pleasure we feel when earning a reward is associated with the dopamine our brain releases when we anticipate that reward. Just the thought of being able to check off a meaningful goal is treated like a reward in your brain. Therefore, it's more pleasurable and motivating to set small and frequent daily goals, and thus earn these consistent rewards, than it is to aim for some distant, future goal.

    So, when you’re setting up a new target for yourself, think about how you can break this broader task into three smaller categories: steps, goals and dreams.

    Steps contain small tasks that take two days or less to complete. If your goal is to learn a new language, this might entail signing up for a course or buying a workbook.

    Goals should contain both the short-term and long-term objectives. The short-term goals, which should take around a week to complete, should add up to complete the long-term ones that take around a month to complete.

    Lastly, dreams are ultimate goals that will take three months or longer to complete. So, If your dream is to write a book, the steps might be to write one page a day, the short-term goal might be to write 2000 words a week, and the long-term goals might be finishing a chapter every month.

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    What is Stick with It about?

    Stick with It (2017) offers sensible advice that you can start using today to make positive changes in your life. Drawing from real-world case studies and the latest behavioral research, author Sean Young provides a thorough and rational plan for how you can combat your bad habits and follow through on your dreams and goals.

    Stick with It Review

    Stick with It (2017) by Sean D. Young is a book that delves into the science of behavior change and provides practical strategies for making lasting changes in our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers insights from psychology and behavioral science, helping readers understand how our brains work and how to make changes that stick.
    • The book presents a step-by-step framework for creating new habits and breaking bad ones, making it a valuable guide for personal growth.
    • With its rich examples and case studies, the book brings the concepts to life and makes it relatable, ensuring that it is definitely not boring.

    Who should read Stick with It?

    • Anyone struggling to make lasting changes in their life
    • Readers who are eager to break bad habits
    • Professionals keen to improve ineffective personal work routines

    About the Author

    Sean D. Young, PhD, is a professor at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the director of the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior.

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    Stick with It FAQs 

    What is the main message of Stick with It?

    The main message of Stick with It is the power of perseverance and how to overcome obstacles when pursuing our goals.

    How long does it take to read Stick with It?

    The estimated reading time for Stick with It varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Stick with It a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Stick with It is worth reading as it provides valuable insights on how to develop and maintain habits for personal and professional growth.

    Who is the author of Stick with It?

    The author of Stick with It is Sean D. Young.

    What to read after Stick with It?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Stick with It, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter
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