What You Can Change and What You Can't
by Martin E. P. Seligman
The evidence on which problems respond to self-improvement (panic, phobias, sexual dysfunction, mood) and which barely do (weight, alcoholism in the long term, sexual orientation). Honest, dated in parts, and the best antidote to the 'you can change anything' industry.
Read it if…
you want to spend your effort where change is possible.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you want encouragement regardless of evidence.
Try instead: The Little Book of Big Change →
Three things you will actually use
- Panic is highly curable; weight barely.
- Depth of a problem predicts changeability.
- Spend effort where it pays.
Do this first
Read the chapters on your specific problem.
Our verdict
Where change is possible.
See the book →
Compare with other Habits books
Dana K. White: Organizing for the Rest of Us
Dana K. White · Habits
For the naturally untidy.
CLICK TO SEEBrowse all Habits book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.