Robert's Reviews > Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior

As I began to read this book, I recalled the core concepts in The Knowing-Doing Gap co-authored by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton. Briefly, they assert that “so many managers know so much about organizational performance, say so many smart things about how to achieve performance, and work so hard, yet are trapped in firms that do so many things they know will undermine performance." Many (most?) people have a “gap” between knowing what to do and doing it, not only at work but in all other areas of their lives. How to close this gap? Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg believe that a self-defeating attitude results in self-defeating behavior…and I agree. They identify 40 different examples of self-defeating behavior and briefly discuss each, also including relevant quotations and a “Usable Insight” for each. I immediately identified with several (as will other readers) and, after reading “10 Things You Can Learn from Each” and then the Introduction: “How to Beat Self-Defeat,” zeroed in on caught my eye.

Goulston and Goldberg offer an abundance of sound advice. It remains for each reader to determine which of the self-defeating behaviors are most relevant to her or him, then make whatever behavior adjustments may be necessary. The authors suggest that the book be read straight through. I chose to take a different approach. Either way is fine. It is imperative to read “10 Things You Can Learn from Each” and then the Introduction: “How to Beat Self-Defeat” first. The extent to which a reader is receptive to improvement of mindset and behavior will determine whether reading this book is a journey of meaningful self-discovery or an extended exercise in self-delusion. Reader’s choice.