Read "Atomic Habits." There is ample tremendous advice on how to tip-toe your way into net positive habits making, while tip-toeing away from net negative habits. It changed my life more than anything I've read at any time.

I'll give you one nugget from it: if you want to make habits, commit to something very small. For example, set a goal to Read 2 pages a day for pleasure. That's it. But, commit to it every day. You'll find that, just by taking that baby step, you'll end up reading more than yo8 thought.

Also, put the book in a comfortable place, and make sure it's in sight.

Additional idea: write it down on a schedule. At 7pm, every day, I am going to read 5 pages.

Let me tell you how this has transformed my life.

I have a 180 day streak on duolingo. Not only do I have that streak, but i went from a few minutes a day to 25 minutes, every day, on average. There are days when I spend 1.5 hours. What happened is, once I started learning and seeing results, i got hooked.

I started a lifting program at the same time (last august). I have completed an average of 25 workouts every month since. How? I put my shorts and shoes on when it's time to workout. He also recommends writing it down. Example: "i am going to work out April 1st for 10 minutes. Just by putting your workout clothes on, you will start. And by starting, you'll go way over 10 minutes at some point.

It's about consistency long term. Making tiny improvements in your daily life leads to dramatic results. Believe me. I have ample proof. My notebooks are full of soanish and German, and all of workouts. And, I have read a TON of books in that time.

This is going to be fun

I'm on number 5 through this book in the last year. It is my favorite book on influencing behavior. I was reading it on my way to apply for jobs and on my way back. I've read almost 100 books in the last year, many of them relating to this topic.

If you had read it, and had the capability to see things outside of black-and-white, all-or-nothing thinking(from: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy"), you wouldn't tell someone else how to act based on someone else's brief, not-inclusive, subjective interpretation of what that book delivers.

Why not quote the book yourself?

Because I've read books on influence, I am using very specific words and phrasing to invoke your emotional response. But, what do I know, huh? I'm not using tactical empathy (Christopher Voss from "Never Split the Difference") nor am i going to use the skills covered in two books I have by Jim Camp. because I like a good fight. Reddit is full of defensive people also looking for a fight. So, bring it. Lol

Maybe you should check my comment history to see how I'm doing at applying some of these principles. People are complicated and flawed. But, you seem to be perfect, so I'd love for you to guide me through life. Getting defensive because I'm honoring the book based on my knowledge and experience is...? Sad. But, that's my faulty perspective, of course.

I just wanted to thank you for violating the rules of a book you've never read, by judging someone you don't know for not adhering to the principles therein 100% - on a reddit forum no less. If you studied neuroscience and psychology, you would know that the brain is elastic and it changes based on your experiences and what you read and do (see: "Rewire Your Anxious Brain" by Catherine Pittman PhD and Elizabeth Karle). So, the more work you put in to change, the more likely you are to change. I'm doing the work, are you? See also: books by Adam Grant, Malcolm Gladwell, Marcus Aurelius, Ryan Holiday, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and more.

People who were abused aren't skilled at making friends and influencing people. I had to spend years learning. We are all on our own journey, eh?

And I am not here to sell anyone or tell others how to live. I'm here to speak to something i have in-depth knowledge of, and because you don't have it, you chose to get defensive rather than walk away from a conversation you don't belong in.

That's my career specialty - influencing people - not my hobby. Big difference. I hate sales, but it's what I've done well in a variety of settings and industries. Books like this are the reason for my success. Before them, I was not functional in a social environment. I still am not in many ways.

My above comment is for the people who attacked me and then deleted their comments. Oh, and those who downvoted me :)

Did you read the book?

This book is riddled with insight and quotes from many of the philosophical, political, and business leaders throughout human history. If you call that 'selling shit' okay. You do you.

I have read this book, and many of the best books on business and influencing behavior, MULTIPLE times. I also, due to the shit I've been through in life, have a solid understanding of the psychology of influence based on years of research and having taken classes on negotiation for my b.s. and MELP. Plus, i study psychology and neuroscience for fun and use in my life.

This is one of the best books ever written. The people commenting here don't comprehend, reading isn't always for pleasure. It can be for those who need lessons on how to act in the real world because they either don't have the skills, don't know of them, or were abused their entire lives and need guidance (me). I also appreciate the historical context integrated into the book.

I've been in sales now for 15 years, been working in client-facing and team environments for 20. I love this book. It has withstood time well, and it was written after copious research on world leaders.

This book is supported, for the most part, by modern psychology of influence.

And have the standards for government assistance changed? No? So, all that money is useless. Go from making $8/hour to $15 and notice how insignificant the difference in living standards is. How do I know? Because I've been caught in this shit storm of a country for decades.

I made $15/hour 16 years ago. 5 years ago, I cycled through 3 jobs that paid the same. In the last 18 months, I have applied to hundreds of jobs because that income level is a trap and is still prevalent. I've been on SNAP the entire time.

Do you know what happens when you get a slight pay increase at poverty wages? You lose your poverty benefits. In my case, that's going to amount to $500/month for food for 2 people and dental coverage for my daughter. So, instead of the government paying me to eat, I'll have to make enough to not only cover that loss, but hope to make WAY more in order to, I don't know, not have to cancel my credit cards, not be living paycheck to paycheck, maybe travel sometime in my life or even go out for pleasure? Or, here is a crazy, crazy thought: maybe I'll be able to pay a single cent to my student loans, get health insurance (lol, right) , or maybe I'll be able to SAVE FUCKING MONEY FOR MY FUTURE.

This study proves one thing: American workers can influence the market if we make demands. otherwise, who cares? It's not enough. It's nowhere near enough.

I felt that way about Mary Karr's memoir, 'The Liar's Club.' And based on the title, her dad's stretching of truth and her worshiping it, and a large amount of talk about "veracity" in her book "The Art of Memoir," she may be projecting a bit. I've seen other people question how a person could have such a detailed memory of their childhood. I can't comprehend it myself, but I haven't taken the time to research 'memory' either.

I have read a lot of sci-fi. I've been trying to get through the first part of this book for MONTHS. I just can't. I haven't found any redeeming qualities in this book at all, which is a huge disappointment. For all the love that series has gotten, it seems very undeserved.