Customer Reviews

Changing For Good

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike most self-help books out there, this one is actually based on research for a change. Based on this Phd's work on how people change, this guy has uncovered the different, predictable stages of change that people go through when they attempt to get themselves to change. Although the stages are fairly predictable, not everybody goes through them in the exact same order as some people skip various stages on their way to changing their behaviour. A great book all-in-all, it's definitely worth a look. Also liked The Sixty-Second Motivator.

I thought some of the authors' conclusions were rather illogical. While they compiled a list of traits they felt led to successful behavior change, and it could be that individuals that accomplish successful change exhibit these traits; it doesn't seem logical to me to assume that others will become successful if they adopt these same traits. I also felt that the authors left many gaping holes in their "steps to change". Never could I find a real process that would endow someone with these traits if you were not already blessed with them. Obviously this book is popular with budding psychologists (one recommended it to me); but speaking as a person who has had a life-long struggle with changing my behaviors, I didn't find much real-life help here.

I wrote a review of this book a number of months ago. It's now been a year of freedom from bulimia, and I really owe it to the advice in this book. The main thing I'd like to thank Dr. Prochaska for is his hammering home that an addiction is a "Big Deal", that changing it will involve restructuring one's life, giving up behaviors, substituting new ones, etc. And that it "never gets any easier." The worst problem in tackling an addiction is the craving-induced belief that "tomorrow it won't be so hard." I found the first two months to be excruciating, but, following the plan of substitute behaviors I had listed for myself, I was able to make it. I was constantly telling myself "it's NOT going to be easier tomorrow." Dr. Prochaska's emphasis on planning one's recovery is invaluable. And I found his emphasis on exercise to be a primary key. Those endorphins from exercising WILL be necessary! Once again, thanks to Dr.P!!

This was a great book to help the reader change a bad habit or addiction (problem behaviour). Mostly it talks about the stages of change and encourages the reader to follow the right prescription (behaviour, not drug) at the right stage in order to achieve success. The book is extremely helpful for people considering quitting on their own everything from smoking, alcohol abuse and overeating to giving up anxiety attacks.

This book is amazing! Prochaska and his colleagues have profound insight on behavior change from years of research, including interviews with everyday people. This book is a great resource for students or professionals new to the area of behavior change. Yet, it is also useful for anyone trying to make a change in their own life for personal gain.

I have used this book for both academic and personal benefit and found it easy to read and practical. It explains the stages of change and gives examples of what others have gone through. This book is not based on hearsay or a passing fad in science, it is based on sound, time-tested research principles. It may be slightly advanced for those who are only beginning to think about changing a behavior, but individuals who are serious about change should find it very useful.

This is a wonderful book--one of the few you'll want to keep referring to time after time. It forces you to look at what "stage" you're stuck in and why and how to break out of it. Change isn't easy! But like most everything, most of the things we do are strictly from habit, and habits CAN be broken! This book will provide the incentive and the knowledge you'll need to break whatever habit(s) it is you need freedom from. I plan on buying several copies of this book and giving it to friends for Christmas--I think its invaluable. Highly recommend it!

As a motivational speaker and trainer, I have read countless books on change, and this is my number one show at my seminars. Prochaska gives a clear, concise, easy to understand map to changing even the most difficult behaviors. What makes this book different from the rest is that it is heavily research and theory based -- Prochaska's own work -- without getting heavily bogged down for the lay reader. Fabulous analogies and metaphors, with special emphasis on the power of social support. I thank him for sharing his research and findings with us so that we can all benefit from it!!

Excellent advice. Helped me break a 20+ year habit of bulimia, for which I had tried countless remedies. The most important things I learned were how to identify some of the self-generated "myths" I was unconsciously buying into....such as "someday it will be easier." His emphasis on exercise has turned out to be another key to success. And Prochaska's book helped me organize former failed attempts into a way of learning from my mistakes. GREAT BOOK! Thanks, Mr. Prochaska!

This book offers a structure for understanding the process of voluntary self-change. With it, you have much more understanding of where you are and what you need to do next, and you have a much better chance of success. The highest possible recommendation.

Changing for good began to change my life before I was even half-way through the book. Its just not for bad-habits, but the way in which we view everything in our life.