Get It Done
by Ayelet Fishbach
Key Concepts
Goal Conflict
Recognize that pursuing one goal often creates tension with another, requiring conscious management.
Motivation Traps
Identify common pitfalls like focusing on the wrong rewards or misinterpreting progress signals.
Feedback Loops
Utilize effective feedback, both positive and negative, to sustain effort and adjust strategies.
Temptation Bundling
Pair a desired activity with a necessary but less appealing task to make the latter more attractive.
Progress Principle
Seeing tangible progress, no matter how small, is a powerful motivator for continued action.
Action Items
Identify and manage conflicting goals by prioritizing or finding ways to integrate them.
Design rewards that align with the goal's purpose, rather than distracting from it.
Visibly track your progress to maintain motivation and provide clear feedback.
Find an accountability partner or group to share goals and provide mutual support.
Bundle an enjoyable activity with a task you tend to procrastinate on to make it more appealing.
Core Thesis
Achieving goals is less about raw willpower and more about strategically understanding and leveraging the psychological forces that drive human motivation.
Mindset Shift
Success in goal achievement shifts from relying on brute-force willpower to intelligently designing your environment and approach based on psychological principles.