How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Hey everyone!

Been reading an INCREDIBLE book lately. You should definitely check it out.

It’s called -> “SWITCH - How to Change Things When Change Is Hard” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

Basically there is one concept that they talk about over and over again.

Imagine your brain is like an elephant, and there is a rider on top, riding the elephant.

The Rider = Your Logical Brain, Your “Self-Control”.

The Elephant = Your Emotional Brain

The Path = Where the elephant is walking.

Now, just think about this scenario for a second.

Obviously, the Elephant is a powerful force here.

The rider can coax the elephant into doing what it wants, for a while, to a certain degree.

“Hey buddy, go over here!” (dangles Elephant food on stick)

The path also influences things to a large degree.

If the elephant runs up on a giant pool of delicious water, GOOD LUCK trying to stop that elephant from drinking, rider.

You get it right?

The book talks about how this is EXACTLY how our brain works.

I’ll just give you the secret sauce straight from the book okay?

In order to change ANYTHING in your life you need to…

1) Direct the Rider

2) Motivate the Elephant

3) Shape the Path

I’ll talk about these 3 in future letters in MUCH more detail, so make sure you are subscribed (it’s free for 30 days anyway)…

But today I just want to focus on #2, Motivating the Elephant, because I think it’s one people forget ALL THE TIME.

When we think about starting a business, fixing a bad habit, starting a GOOD habit, whatever, we ALWAYS think about the RIDER.

At least I do!!!

“Kale, just stop being a wuss, get up at 6am and workout!”

“Kale, do you want to be rich or not? Film that advertisement right this instant!”

That is me, screaming at my Rider to get to work…

This, obviously, rarely works.

The second that alarm rings at 6am, I silence it.

Or, in reality, my emotional self (my “Elephant”) wants nothing more than to stay in bed, so that’s what wins out.

NO AMOUNT OF PRODDING BY THE RIDER IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

What do you have in YOUR life that this reminds you of?

Now that you’re thinking of it, here’s how to fix it.

Like most things in life, you need to do the OPPOSITE of what you’ve been taught in school or by the “World”.

The world will tell you to be analytical, logical, “smart”.

What you really need to do is MOTIVATE THAT ELEPHANT.

And remember, the elephant is EMOTIONAL.

The only way to motivate it is through an EMOTIONAL REACTION.

So, yes, you are going to have to get emotional.

Guys, I know this can seem hard and “wussy” to you.

But here’s a quick hint…

ANGER is an emotion….

FEELING SICK TO YOUR STOMACH is an emotion….

So, I can’t really diagram this out for you because each situation is different, but basically, you need to start FEELING STRONGLY about what you want to do….

For example….

• Want to lose weight? Start really NOTICING how unhealthy people look when they are overweight. Start REALLY feeling how gross and unhealthy YOU would feel if you were in their shoes. Then use that emotion to fuel your elephant.

• Want to stop procrastinating on your dream? Your business? Start visualizing how bad it felt every time you couldn’t afford something. The embarrassment of your card declining. The FUTURE embarrassment of not being able to get your kids the life they deserve….

As you can tell, my mind definitely goes a little DARK when I need to motivate my elephant.

That’s just how I’m wired, I played D1 college basketball and nothing gets you going more than those angryish emotions… (if you don’t believe me go watch Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” documentary on Netflix…)

But that’s not how everyone is…

You can do this positively as well, and honestly that’s probably a better use of this….

• Want to treat your wife better? Start scrolling back through your phone of all the memories you’ve had. Start dreaming of your future life and the future versions of your wife… is she happy, fulfilled, living up to her full potential because YOU were her rock? Or is she unhappy, depressed, and wishing she never would have married your sorry ass?

Dang, I went negative there again, haha!

Idk, take this for what it’s worth, but I REALLY found this concept interesting, and EASY to relate back to in my day to day life.

Read that book if you have time, or just start to think of life in terms of the Elephant, Rider, Path concept….

I guarantee it will help you make positive changes in your life.

Oh, and make sure to tune in later this week (SUBSCRIBE FOR ACCESS) when I talk about SHAPING THE PATH….

Sometimes you can CHEAT your way to making the elephant do what you want….

Kale