Switch

​I really loved reading “Switch - How to change things when change is hard” by brothers Chip and Dan Heath.   The book embodies many of the very principals that Trillium Wellness Coaching is founded upon, but it presents them in a slightly different and entertaining way.

​The authors use an analogy of an Elephant and an Elephant Rider to represent how the two sides of our mind – our emotional and rational sides - are often in conflict and respond to different stimulus, which makes change hard.  However, by harnessing the strengths and overcoming the weaknesses of these two sides, we can ease our way to lasting change. 

The authors describe how the Rider, our rational side, needs to be directed and focused so that it doesn’t become stuck in analysis paralysis.  Conversely, the Elephant, our emotional side, needs to be properly motivated to go in the right direction, since the Rider’s is too small to force the elephant to go where it does not want to go. 

Two other keys to their approach are “translate ambiguous moves into concrete behaviors”, which they term “Script the Critical Moves”, and “create a vivid picture of what it would look like when we get there”.  The first shows the Riders exactly where they should head. and the second motivates the elephant by showing it why it’s worth it.  Both of these keys are also critical components of Trillium's wellness coaching approach.

Not only is the book well written, with some great examples on how these things have been achieved by others (individuals, businesses and communities), it includes a one-page reminder of the key ingredients of their approach, a description of the 12 most common problems we face when trying to change, and extensive footnotes/details about their sources. The authors also maintain a website switchthebook.com which has downloadable versions of their tools, podcasts tailored to Businesses, Marketers, Individuals and making Social Change, and corresponding facilitator's guides. 

I highly recommend “Switch – How to change things when change is hard” for anyone looking to learn more about change mechanisms and how they can create change.