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tanyarobinson 's review for:
The start of this book annoyed me; McGonigal was too colloquial and informal for my taste. I also felt that there was nothing new in the early chapters, but she was just rehashing things I had learned in other pop-psychology books. It got a lot better, however, as she moved into experiments specifically designed to test challenges and aids to willpower. The most revelatory part of the book for me was learning specific ways our instinctual weaknesses (which were strengths in a hunter/gatherer society) have been exploited by advertisers and marketers. I liked that the author instructed the reader how to notice these manipulations, and at the end of each chapter gave excellent practical exercises (adapted from her Stanford course on the topic) for strengthening personal willpower.
I am a very disciplined person (if anything I am criticized for my lack of ability or willingness to let go), so I didn't personally take a lot from this book that I want to incorporate in my life. But I repeatedly found myself thinking that my daughter, who is a terrible procrastinator, would benefit so much from it! If only she had the willpower to actually read it...
3.5 stars.
I am a very disciplined person (if anything I am criticized for my lack of ability or willingness to let go), so I didn't personally take a lot from this book that I want to incorporate in my life. But I repeatedly found myself thinking that my daughter, who is a terrible procrastinator, would benefit so much from it! If only she had the willpower to actually read it...
3.5 stars.