BALUKOV answers “This book is awful. The stories were so...”

Chanda Thomsen asked this question about Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones:

This book is awful. The stories were so painfully awful and unrelatable. A guy "tells his wife to make an appointment for his first manicure"? Maybe his first habit he could break would be to learn how to do that himself. I am told in the audible version that "getting in shape increases your dating prospects"? Really? Yuck. So unhelpful. Are people really this stupid? Apparently I am for reading it.

BALUKOV I would like to offer a different perspective on some of the points you raised.

First, the story about the guy who tells his wife to make an appointmen…moreI would like to offer a different perspective on some of the points you raised.

First, the story about the guy who tells his wife to make an appointment for his first manicure is not meant to be taken literally. It is a metaphor for how small changes can lead to big results. The point is that by changing his environment, he made it easier to adopt a new habit. He didn’t have to rely on willpower or motivation. He just followed the cue that was already there. This is one of the core principles of habit formation that's explained in the book.

Second, the statement that “getting in shape increases your dating prospects” is not a value judgment or a moral claim. It is a factual observation based on research and data. Studies have shown that physical attractiveness plays a significant role in mate selection and romantic outcomes. This is not to say that appearance is the only factor that matters, or that you should change yourself to please others. It is simply to acknowledge the reality of human psychology and behavior. The goal is to help you achieve your personal goals, whatever they may be. If getting in shape is one of them, then the book’s goal is to provide you with the best strategies and tools to do so.

Third, I don’t think that people who read this book are stupid. On the contrary, I think they are smart and curious. They are interested in learning new ideas and improving themselves. They are willing to challenge their assumptions and experiment with different approaches. They are not satisfied with the status quo and they want to make a positive change in their lives. I admire and respect them for that.(less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more