Switch: How to Change When Change Is Hard by Dan and Chip Heath
Good Morning God,
I’m almost through the book,
And isn’t it almost always hard to change? It is for me, God. But then last Friday Kit changed one word — instead of telling me I could be a good runner if I was a Masochist — he said I could be good if I worked on my endurance. ENDURANCE. What a lovely word. The M word had shut me down COMPLETELY! But Endurance opened up possibilities. And on Sunday I did the Lanikai Bike Path Race — I was almost last –but I DID it, I jogged 5 miles. Tuesday I jogged 2 miles. Thursday I was out jogging for 20 minutes. I’m changing!
I guess even the idea of being a Masochist was an assault on my Identity, God. I can’t imagine how people ever thought voluntary suffering was a good thing — like wearing a hair shirt — however would that be “extra credit”?
But back to Switch — the authors have compiled great ideas and examples from a number of other books. And their framework for organizing those thoughts is the idea of an Elephant (our emotions), the Rider (our mind) and the Path (our surrounding culture and structures.)
Did You just ask: What did I get out of it personally? You mean HOW am I going to USE IT to CHANGE? Aurgh! That was such a HARD Question I just STOPPED writing. But, here it is, a day later and I have, I hope, gotten Sandy to get the book and work on personal applications WITH ME. Partners help! I wonder, God, if anyone ELSE would like to be part of this Personal Change Implementation Project?
Last night I took one project I always put off and broke it down into the first 3 steps and did those steps. I need to practice doing that. I need checkoff lists. I need to be accountable to myself! Humm. Maybe what I need first is an Upgraded Identity that knows it can do it and ENJOY doing it. Keep me at this, Please, God!
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
Leave a comment