Made to Stick – Book Review

Published on by Janet

Title:         Made to Stick
Subtitle:   Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Authors:  Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Rating:     Highly Recommended

This blog acts as an extension of my book Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want because it’s all about helping you get even more of what you want. The book Made to Stick does just that.

The Secrets of Making Your Message Stick

“A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on.”

Mark Twain

The book Made to Stick – Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die analyzes the nuances of what elements to put in a message to make it memorable.

There are 6 principles that make a message memorable:

  • Simple
  • Unexpected
  • Concrete
  • Credible
  • Emotional
  • Stories

Before I begin, I must mention the cover is undeniably clever; the colour and that amazing duct tape is truly a work of art (even better in real life). It caught my eye and all who saw it, over and over. Well done to all involved.

Made to Stick is a well researched book with umpteen entertaining stories illustrating the 6 principles. The stories give you working examples of each principle and are powerful in ensuring the reader understands them. The book teaches that people remember stories not statistics, so it makes sense that authors Chip and Dan Heath follow their own advice and use stories to teach these principles.

I especially appreciated the Curse of Knowledge concept, which rippled all the way through the book. This is something that occurs when we forget what it’s like not to know what we know, it’s for that reason we sometimes ‘bury the lead’ i.e. we know so much we want to share it all. Made to Stick teaches you how to transform your ideas and to beat the Curse of Knowledge. While writing Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want, I constantly came up against the Curse of Knowledge, except at the time I didn’t have a label for it. I was aware that while I already lived and breathed this knowledge, life would be very different for someone who was yet to experience these ideas working in their life. It’s a tricky issue to overcome and having rules on how to do so is most welcome.

A small downside if you can call it that: Chip and Dan’s flow of the book is ideal, their analysis and layout is superb, insightful and refreshing, except that I found myself unable to quickly recall the key points at the end of each chapter/principle, even though there were heaps of stories. This was frustrating. I was becoming so involved with each story I lost the bigger picture. Just me perhaps? (I tend to read 3-4 books at the same time and this may have created the issue) Once I realized this was happening I took notes on each principle, thereby supplying myself with a summary for each. So it probably would’ve been helpful if Chip and Dan had supplied a summary at the end of each principle, reminding the reader what is key i.e. a quick revision. Needing to take notes does not detract from the book however, as it’s something I generally do. Made to Stick genuinely captures the vital nuances of what it takes for a message to stay memorable.

An added benefit of the book Made to Stick in my opinion is that while it will aid your ability to get your point across without ambiguity, it will also raise your awareness while listening. To this end I found myself being alerted to news items where these principles were employed to manipulate the public, most noticeably used by politicians, surprise surprise. I rather think that most of us would choose instead to use these strategies to benefit all concerned.

Made to Stick is a book worth revisiting several times and a highly recommended read for anyone who has a message to deliver. That would be most of us.

And There’s Free Stuff…

This week Chip and Dan are offering free their latest book “The Myth of the Garage and Other Minor Surprises”.

on Kindle, on the Nook, on iPad

or download “The Myth of the Garage” here free on PDF (see their other free resources here too).

Buy Made to Stick

Buy “Made to Stick“

“Made to Stick – Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die”

Chip Heath and Dan Heath

ISBN-13:                978-1-4000-6428-1

Publisher:              Random House (2008)

Hardcover:            322 pages

Web Page:            http://www.madetostick.com

If you’re new to this site start with:

Discover the First Key Element to Getting What You Want

Are You Stuck in a Rut? Get the Confidence and Life You Want

Or see here for a list of all posts.

Learn how to get anything you want. Once you know how then life suddenly makes sense. Order your copy of  “Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want” on Amazon.com or on this site (see buttons at left). If you’d like to see what others think of “Just Like That!” see the following reviews:

Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors

Review of “Just Like That!” by ReaderViews

Review of “Just Like That!” by AllBooks Review

Book Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors

Published on by Janet
Just Like That! Front Cover
Scroll down the Sidebar at Left to Buy "Just Like That !" on Amazon or on this site

When I posted the news of the first review of “Just Like That!” (by ReaderViews) I wrote:

“Right now I’m fully immersed in the marketing of the book. Somehow the world has to learn “Just Like That!” is available right? And well worth reading! Marketing is new for me, I don’t have a publicist (yet?) and I don’t have a marketing team.”

That was a month ago and while marketing is still new for me, I’ve since acquired a publicist and a marketing team! We start working together next month; I’m thrilled and this adventure keeps getting better.

The review of “Just Like That!” from AussieAuthors.com is below. Cheryl Wright from Aussie Authors is another helpful, friendly person I’ve met on this journey. The review is by Warren Thurston.

Review of Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want

Author: Janet Poole

Author’s Website: www.janetpoole.com

Published with assistance of Love of Books www.loveofbooks.com.au

ISBN Aus:       9780980877502 (pbk)

ISBN USA:      9781439280607 (pbk)

Janet Poole’s book took me on a journey I wasn’t expecting. It was a journey that enabled me to discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed. Her book gave me the courage to make a decision that has plagued me since 1985. And that is do I or don’t I take the plunge and publish my own children’s writing. Following her guidance in chapter five about challenges and the powerful opportunities they open up for you, I feel confident that I can achieve my goal of publishing my own work.

The most important point that the author makes is that loving yourself is essential, if you want to help yourself and others. Until you can love yourself for whom you are, then your mind and body are consumed by negative thoughts. By loving yourself you open your mind to new ways of looking at life in a positive light. This love of oneself in turn flows outwardly to embrace those around you with love and to help them in a positive way.

What Janet Poole has articulated in fine detail is that by not letting go of demons that tell us that self love is degrading and selfish, keeps the body in a sluggish state. One that gives our body a false sense of security, where it uses negative thoughts as a security blanket. It’s like telling oneself, “If I sit here and don’t move nothing can harm me.” But if a person allows themselves to stay in an immobile mental state, they will never expand their knowledge of life. To expand knowledge you first must expand knowledge of yourself.

The summaries and exercises that are included at the end of each chapter I found to be an excellent idea. They reinforced the sometimes difficult ideas that the author was attempting to get across. I found the book was set out quite well and it made it easier to progress down the self discovery path. Doing what you love is not selfish; it is the key to becoming all knowing in the quest for knowledge of oneself and all things in the universe.

Another point the author makes quite well is that you alone are responsible for your life, and you cannot blame someone else for your life. Self-pity feels good momentarily, but it means that we are avoiding responsibility, and it shuts down our power. In today’s world we should always avoid the herd mentality; you should always choose what is good for you.

Readers who approach this book with an open mind will discover a wealth of information that enables them to see themselves in a new light. They shall see that they themselves have control over how life treats them. The real person who resides inside all of us can pave the way to true enlightenment and self fulfillment, no matter what our goals may be. This, as the book so richly describes is not selfish, it leads the way to helping others.

Janet Poole’s book is not one that can be read once and put away. It is a reference for life that each additional reading will enhance the understanding of oneself and the world one exists in. Those readers willing to take on new ways of thinking will find this book, as I did a revelation as to what makes us human.

I found this book to be one of the best I have read on the topic of self discovery, and highly recommend it to those seeking out new knowledge.

Reviewed by Warren Thurston
– Children’s Author

Link to AussieAuthors for “Just Like That!” review :

Why Mainstream Thinking Gives You Mainstream Results

Published on by Janet
“Time to Think Outside the Box”

Avoid mainstream thinking.

That is, if you want a happy life and to get what you want.

Rise above it.

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. 

If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. 

But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher, poet, composer 1844 – 1900)

It’s  Time to Think for Ourselves

Many people believe the masses are correct i.e. mainstream thinking. “If everyone is doing it, it must be okay.” Wrong. Mainstream thought is filled with potholes. It is mostly the media, the government and our friends who tell us what to think. We no longer think for ourselves and that should trouble us.  Does this mean many people have become robotic? Do you hang out with the latest topic of the media? It’s likely all our beliefs are being manipulated. What about you? What do you think?

“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated

than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” 

~~ Thomas Jefferson (Third US President and principal author of US Declaration of Independence 1743 – 1826)

I saw a well-written article a year ago about mainstream thinking on the site www.dailyreckoning.com and thought it explained the concept well. A site intended for investors, but the article applies to life in general. Although the article is a year old, it still applies today. In fact unfortunately for us, this article applies to the last several hundred years and will continue to unless we change. Here is an excerpt.

 Successful Investing in a Market Dominated by Groupthink

By Eric Fry

09/09/10 Laguna Beach, California – Mainstream thinking tends to produce mainstream results. The outliers of human behavior and consequence – for better or for worse – tend to reside outside of the mainstream…out on the thin tails of the probability curve.

Out on those distant tails, you might find the creative genius of a Bill Gates or a Thomas Edison…or of that Chinese guy who invented gunpowder. On the other side of the curve, you might find the incomprehensible perspective of a Pol Pot or a Hernando Cortes…or of that woman who underwent 31 operations over 14 years so that she could look like “Barbie.”

Then, occasionally, you find those individuals like Vincent van Gogh who were so idiosyncratic that you can’t really say which thin tail they would occupy.

But, by definition, most of us live our lives where most of us live our lives – i.e., somewhere near the mainstream. That’s mostly a good thing. It is safe, comfortable, and conducive to a lengthy and well socialized existence. Out on the Serengeti, for example, the “outliers” usually become lunch…or if they’re lucky, dinner, a little later in the day.

But mainstream thinking and mainstream behavior also possesses a very dark side. It lacks insight. It shuns self-examination. It repels intellectual honesty and creativity. Mainstream thinking, therefore, can sometimes nurture more detritus than a petri dish; more dysfunction than a sanitarium. In Ages past, mainstream thinking has nurtured idiocies as innocuous as the periwig or as horrific as the virgin sacrifice.”

It requires courage to think for yourself; to be an independent thinker. But it delivers the richest rewards. Deep down most people are concerned about encountering disapproval from those around them, becoming ‘lunch’ on the Serengeti for the mainstream thinkers; people who tow the line.

How to Be an Independent Thinker and Not Become ‘Lunch’ Continue reading “Why Mainstream Thinking Gives You Mainstream Results” →

Why Acquiring Knowledge Gives You Confidence and a Happier Life

Published on by Janet4 Comments

Spirituality is reaching frenzied new heights.
It seems that way.

Are you someone who wonders what all the fuss is about?

When I say ‘spirituality’, this is vastly different to religion. Worlds away.

The idea of spirituality encourages freedom of thought and action by following your own unique path to understanding life and forging a way to happiness. Religion usually encourages one to follow rules.

“Awakening begins when a man realizes that he is going nowhere

and does not know where to go.”

Georges Gurdjieff  (Influential spiritual teacher of early 20th century 1866 – 1949)

Many people still struggle to make sense of life, some are bored, some frustrated, some sad and distressed. That’s the main reason I wrote the book “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!”.

Why Do So Many People Still Struggle to Make Sense of Their Life

A strong spiritual “muscle” makes it easier for you to have a happy life.

Your spiritual muscle turns life’s confusions into clarity, and the darkness into light. And once you have clarity and light, you have greater confidence; something you’ll always keep.

For many their spiritual muscle is sluggish and under developed.

You’ve heard the term “use it or lose it”, the more you exercise a muscle the stronger it gets. It is the same with your spiritual muscle.

How do You Strengthen Your Spiritual Muscle?

All it takes to start is to put in a little effort to acquire knowledge about life.

While it is most helpful for you to learn about how life works, how thought works, the brain, body, emotions etc, if that doesn’t yet appeal, then start by acquiring any knowledge that is new to you.

“Life” after all is everything, so your topic can be anything.

The idea is to get yourself to open to new ideas and acquire new knowledge.

“If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.”

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947)

How do You Acquire Knowledge?

You may have found yourself wondering how something works, how to develop your skill in a certain part of your life, or to explore a new hobby.

If so follow-up on it.

Otherwise discuss ideas with a friend or choose a moment to contemplate.

If it’s hard to find time to contemplate, use moments such as before you get out of your car at home. Sit there for a few minutes pondering life.

Effort? Uh Oh.

As with exercising your body, you need a little effort to exercise your spiritual muscle.

If it’s been underutilized it will probably need a little coaxing and this is normal.

Stick with it. The rewards are HUGE, so it’s worth doing.

“Those at the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

Author Unknown

The first step is the hardest but the good news is that the spiritual muscle has hidden secrets. Continue reading “Why Acquiring Knowledge Gives You Confidence and a Happier Life” →

How to Stop Criticism…Going Out & Coming In

Published on by Janet1 Comment

Free as a BirdEver wished you could stop criticizing others?

And wondered why you do it?

And of course on the flip side, we all love receiving a compliment.

Read on for an interesting way to accept others… and attract praise.

“Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves…. Learn to love yourself for who you are and open so the world can see you shine.”

James Poland

1) How to Stop Criticizing Others

Until you accept yourself for who you are, your enthusiasm for criticism will continue. The reason? You’re seeing yourself in others; you’re seeing your ‘flaws’.

We all have flaws and they’re okay, but because we deem flaws unacceptable we criticize. You only have one reality – yours. Everything is about you. It’s easy to criticize because we mistakenly take ourselves out of the situation and forget everyone has flaws, we included. So we sit in judgment of the other person, thinking it’s all about them, when it’s always all about us.

We consider ourselves spotless and above it all. However don’t blame or chastise yourself. Use this only to learn, and blame no-one.

Once you choose to accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all, you consequently accept others for who they are flaws and all. You develop compassion for others. They therefore stop pressing your buttons. Why? You move into what you think.

I accept me = I accept you.

Simple. Problem solved.  That was easy…

“You’re born an original.  Don’t die a copy.”

John Mason (Author of several motivational books)

2) How to Stop Others Criticizing You

It’s all very well to say we shouldn’t care what others think, but if you don’t like being criticized then the easiest way to nail it is to Continue reading “How to Stop Criticism…Going Out & Coming In” →