Welcome back to Book Bites, where we shrink down those massive intimidating books into bite-sized pieces you can actually digest. Bite-sized bites. Yeah, exactly.
Today we're tackling Get It Done by Islet Fischbach. Ah, yes. And she's a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, so she's got the research chops.
For sure. But here's the thing. Okay.
This book has kind of a split personality. Oh. Some folks are raving about its science-backed approach to motivation, while others find it a bit too academic and, dare I say, dry.
It's true. The book dives deep into the research, which is great if you're a bit of a data geek like me, but I can see how some readers might find themselves craving more real-world examples and maybe a bit more pizzazz. That's exactly why we're here.
We're going to sift through the research, pull out those golden nuggets of wisdom and see what's actually useful for you. Because ultimately, who cares about all the science if it doesn't help you actually get things done? Exactly. And one of the first things that struck me is how Fischbach reframes our whole approach to goal-setting.
Okay. She's not just talking about ticking items off a to-do list. Right.
She's talking about setting aspirational goals. Okay. Aspirational goals.
It sounds a bit lofty, doesn't it? It does a little bit. What's the difference between that and just regular goals? Think about it this way. Is it more motivating to say, I'm going to study for these exams or I'm going to become a doctor? Oh, I see.
Right. It's about connecting with that deeper desire, that bigger why behind all the daily grind. Yeah.
It's not just about the tasks. It's about who you want to become. Precisely.
And she backs this up with research showing that when people focus on those bigger, more meaningful goals, they actually find the process itself more enjoyable. It's not just about the destination. It's about enjoying the journey.
That's actually pretty cool. I've definitely been guilty of white-knuckling my way through some goals just focused on the finish line. Mm-hmm.
So how do we actually put this aspirational goal thing into practice? Well, Fischbach introduces this idea of optimal abstraction. Okay. Which sounds super complicated, but it's actually pretty simple.
Okay. It's about finding that sweet spot where your goal is specific enough to guide your actions, but abstract enough to retain that sense of meaning and inspiration. Okay.
I'm intrigued, but I need an example. Sure. Give me something concrete I can wrap my head around.
All right. Think about this. Let's say you have a goal to improve your mental health.
Okay. That's a good starting point. It has meaning, but it's pretty broad, right? Yeah.
Now, you could break it down into a hyper-specific action, like go to therapy twice a week. Right. Which is great.
It's actionable. Uh-huh. But it also kind of loses that bigger picture, that sense of why you're doing it in the first place.
Right. It becomes just another item on the to-do list. Exactly.
So the optimal abstraction might be something like cultivate a more mindful and balanced lifestyle. Okay. It's still specific enough to guide your actions.
You might start meditating, spend more time in nature. Whatever works for you. Yeah.
But it also retains that connection to the bigger why of improving your overall well-being. Okay. I get it now.
It's like that Goldilocks zone of goals. Not too vague, not too specific, but just right. That's a great way to put it.
And speaking of finding that sweet spot, Fischbach also talks about framing our goals in a positive way. Oh, yeah. She advocates for what she calls approach goals rather than avoidance goals.
So what's the difference? Well, an approach goal focuses on what you want to move towards. Okay. Like eat healthy foods.
Mm-hmm. An avoidance goal focuses on what you want to avoid. Okay.
Like don't eat junk food. Gotcha. Subtle difference.
But she argues that approaching goals can be more motivating and effective. That's interesting. I can see how focusing on what you want to do rather than what you shouldn't do could feel more empowering.
But honestly, sometimes those don't goals are pretty motivating too. Right. Like don't be late or don't forget to pay the bills.
Sure. Those feel pretty important to me. I hear you.
And Fischbach acknowledges that avoidance goals have their place, especially when it comes to avoiding immediate threats or danger. But she emphasizes that in the long run, approach goals tend to be more sustainable and lead to greater satisfaction. All right.
I'm willing to give it a try. Cool. So approach goals.
Got it. What else does Fischbach have to say about setting ourselves up for success? Well, this is where she gets a bit more, let's say, numerical. She's a big advocate for setting specific, challenging, and wait for it, numerical targets.
Oh, here comes the data geek in you again. I know. Right? But seriously, numbers.
Yeah. Isn't that a bit, I don't know, rigid? I know it sounds a bit counterintuitive, right? Yeah. But Fischbach argues that having those concrete numbers gives us something tangible to strive for.
Instead of just saying save money, you'd say save $10,000 this year. Okay. I see how that could make it more measurable.
Yeah. But isn't there a risk of getting too hung up on the numbers and losing sight of the bigger picture? Mm-hmm. Like, what if something unexpected happens and I can't hit that exact number? That's a valid concern.
And I think that's where flexibility and adaptability come in. It's not about becoming a slave to the numbers. It's about using them as a tool to guide your actions and track your progress.
Yeah. And if you need to adjust the target along the way, that's perfectly fine. Sure.
The key is having that clear, quantifiable goal in mind from the start. I see. So you have that North Star to guide you.
Okay. I like that. Yeah.
All right. So we've got our aspirational goals all set. We're framing them in a positive way.
We've even got some numbers to keep us on track. But what happens when motivation inevitably dips? Yeah. We all hit that slump, right? Especially when we're smack dab in the middle of a big goal.
Oh, absolutely. Fischbach even has a name for it, the middle problem. Her research shows that motivation tends to naturally decline during the middle phase of any goal pursuit.
That's so validating. Yeah. It's not just me being lazy or undisciplined.
Right. There's actually a scientific reason why that middle part feels so tough. Exactly.
And recognizing that it's a normal part of the process can actually be helpful in itself. Right. But of course, Fischbach doesn't just leave us hanging there.
Right. She offers some practical strategies to navigate those motivation dips. Okay.
Lay it on me. What's the secret sauce to getting unstuck? One strategy is breaking down those big, overwhelming goals into smaller, more manageable chunks. Okay.
It makes the whole thing feel less daunting and gives you a sense of accomplishment along the way. Small wins, baby. I can definitely get behind that.
It's so much easier to stay motivated when you're seeing progress. What else? Another tactic is leveraging what Fischbach calls fresh starts. Okay.
Think about those moments in life when we naturally feel more motivated. Yeah. The beginning of a new week, a new month, a new year.
Oh, totally. New Year's resolutions, anyone. Exactly.
But how do we create those fresh start moments intentionally, not just wait for the calendar to roll over? Well, you can create many fresh starts throughout the year. Okay. Maybe it's the start of a new quarter, the start of a new project at work, even just choosing a specific day to reset and refocus.
The key is tapping into that psychological boost that comes with a new beginning. I love that. It's like hitting the reset button on your motivation.
What else? Is there another strategy we can add to our toolkit? There is. This one is a bit more mindset focused. Okay.
It's about reframing your actions as reflections of your identity. Okay. What does that mean exactly? Instead of just going for a run, you think of yourself as a runner.
Right. Instead of just writing, you think of yourself as a writer. I get it.
It's about embodying that identity, not just performing the actions. That's powerful stuff. It is.
And it can make those tough moments feel less like a chore and more like an expression of who you are. Oh, I like that a lot. All right.
So we've got our goals set. We're breaking them down. We're leveraging those fresh starts.
We're even channeling our inner runner or writer. But let's be honest, sometimes we still stumble. Sure.
What happens when we make mistakes or, dare I say, experience failure? Ah, failure. That's another area where Fischbach offers some really valuable insights. Her research shows that we often focus way too much on our successes and miss out on the incredible learning opportunities that come from failure.
It's so true. It's like we want to sweep those failures under the rug and pretend they never happened. But I'm sensing that Fischbach thinks we should actually embrace those stumbles.
Absolutely. She encourages us to actively seek out information on failures. Instead of just asking someone, are you committed to this goal? She suggests asking, how is your progress going? So it's about digging a bit deeper and understanding why things aren't working, not just whether someone is trying hard enough.
Precisely. And sometimes those insights can be even more valuable than the lessons we learn from our successes because they help us identify patterns, adjust our approach, and ultimately become more resilient in the face of setbacks. Okay.
I'm starting to see failure in a whole new light. Not as something to be ashamed of, but as a valuable data point. Exactly.
And that ties into the whole idea of a growth mindset, believing that our abilities aren't fixed, that we can always learn and improve. Love that. All right.
So we're embracing failure as a learning opportunity. We're cultivating a growth mindset. But what about all the other strategies we've talked about? How do we keep track of all this stuff? It feels like a lot to juggle.
It can definitely feel overwhelming trying to implement all these strategies at once. Right. It can be a lot to keep track of.
Yeah. So how do we make sure we're not just bouncing from one thing to the next without actually making any real progress? That's where Fishback's concept of goal systems comes in. Okay.
Goal systems. What's that all about? It's about recognizing that we're not just pursuing one goal at a time. Right.
We're juggling multiple goals, sometimes a whole bunch of them. And I bet those goals don't always play nicely together. Right? Exactly.
Some goals complement each other while others compete for our time and energy. Okay. I'm listening.
Fishback gives the example of wanting to eat healthier and save money. Those can actually work together pretty well if you cook more meals at home instead of eating out. Makes sense.
But if you're also trying to travel the world on a budget, well, that might create a bit of a conflict. Yeah. That's a classic dilemma.
Yeah. So how do we navigate those competing goals? Do we just have to prioritize one over the other? Not necessarily. Fishback suggests applying what she calls the maximizing attainment principle.
Okay. Another principle laid on me. It's about choosing actions that help us achieve as many goals as possible while minimizing negative impact on others.
So it's about finding those strategic actions that move the needle on multiple goals at once. I like that. It's about being efficient with your time and energy.
Right? Because we only have so much of both. Yeah. But let's be real.
Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn't external factors. It's our own lack of self-control and patience. You know, that voice in our head that says, eat the cookie, skip the workout, scroll through social media for another hour.
How does Fishback address those internal struggles? That's the million dollar question, isn't it? It is for me, at least. Well, she breaks down self-control into a two-step process. Okay.
First, you have to detect the temptation when it conflicts with your long-term goals. So awareness is key. Exactly.
You have to catch yourself in that moment of weakness. But then what? How do we actually win that battle against temptation? Fishback offers a whole arsenal of strategies. One approach is to modify the situation.
What do you mean by that? That might mean pre-committing to a certain action like packing your gym bag the night before or scheduling those workouts in your calendar. So you're basically removing the opportunity for decision fatigue. You've already made the decision, so there's no room for debate in the moment.
Precisely. Or you could remove the temptation altogether, out of sight, out of mind. Right? Yep.
I know that one all too well. If you're trying to cut back on sugar, maybe don't keep a jar of cookies on the counter. That's probably wise advice for me.
But what about those temptations we can't just avoid, like work deadlines or family obligations? That's where modifying your thinking comes in. Okay. So how do we do that? Fishback talks about techniques like reframing the temptation or using distancing techniques.
For example, instead of focusing on the immediate pleasure of that sugary treat, you might remind yourself of your long-term goal to feel healthier and more energetic. Right. Play the long game.
Exactly. Or you might try distancing yourself from the temptation by imagining it as something less appealing. So it's about changing our perspective, not just our environment.
Exactly. And of course, building good habits is key. We hear that a lot these days.
We do, because it's true. The more we practice self-control, the easier it becomes. It's like building a muscle.
The more we use it, the stronger it gets. Practice makes progress. But what about patience? How do we cultivate that in a world that's all about instant gratification? Well, that's a challenge for sure.
Fishback dives into the causes of impatience, which I found really insightful. Oh, I'm curious. Tell me more.
Sometimes it's a simple lack of willpower. Other times it's a distrust in the future. Or maybe we just don't care enough about those delayed rewards.
Like we want it all and we want it now. Right. It's the I want it now generation.
Uh-huh. Yeah. So how do we break free from that instant gratification mindset? Well, it starts with identifying those underlying beliefs and then finding strategies to shift our thinking.
Give me some examples. One technique she suggests is making those future goals feel more real and tangible. Okay.
How do we do that? You might visualize yourself achieving that goal, create a vision board, or even write a letter to your future self. That's a cool idea. I like that.
It's about bridging the gap between our present and future selves. We've covered so much ground already, but there's one more piece of the motivation puzzle I want to explore. Okay.
What's that? The power of social dynamics. Because let's face it, we don't exist in a vacuum. Our relationships and social connections have a huge impact on our motivation and our ability to achieve our goals.
Absolutely. And Fischbach dedicates a whole section of the book to this topic. She emphasizes the importance of social support, having people who cheer us on, role models who inspire us, and collaborators who work alongside us.
That makes so much sense. We're social creatures. We thrive on connection and support.
But how can we leverage those social dynamics intentionally to boost our motivation? Well, surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people is a great start. Yeah, that seems obvious, but it's easy to forget sometimes. It is.
We get caught up in our own little bubbles. Right. So who else should we be surrounding ourselves with? Finding mentors or role models who have achieved what we're striving for can be incredibly motivating.
And collaborating on goals, whether it's with a workout buddy or a study group, can make the journey more enjoyable and keep us accountable. I love that. It's about building that network of support and realizing that we don't have to go it alone.
And sometimes even those small, seemingly mundane shared goals can have a big impact on our relationships. Yes. Fischbach even talks about how sharing meals with others can strengthen those bonds.
Really? Just eating together? Yeah. It's those little rituals and shared experiences that contribute to a sense of connection and belonging. And when we feel supported and connected, we're more likely to stay motivated and achieve our goals.
And it's not just about having people support our goals. It's about supporting their goals as well. Fischbach talks about how that mutual support can actually strengthen relationships.
What's fascinating here is that it doesn't have to be these big, life-changing goals either. Right. Even supporting someone's goal to learn a new skill or try a new hobby can make a difference.
It's about showing up for each other in those small, everyday moments. And that, I think, is a beautiful takeaway from this book. It's not just about achieving our own goal.
It's about connecting with others and building meaningful relationships along the way. It's about the journey, not just the destination. I like that.
So what does this all mean for our listeners? What's the one thing they should take away from this Book Bites episode? If I had to pick one thing, it would be this. Motivation isn't some mysterious force. It's something we can understand, cultivate, and leverage to achieve our goals.
And it's something that can be amplified through connection and support. I love that. It's a message of empowerment.
We're not at the mercy of our motivation. We can actively shape it. And we don't have to do it alone.
All right, listeners. That's a wrap on our Book Bites breakdown of Get It Done by Ailet Fischbach. If you're looking for a research-backed guide to boosting your motivation and reaching your goals, this book is definitely worth checking out.
And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to Book Bites for more big ideas and small bites. And if you're feeling extra generous, leave us a five-star review. It really helps other curious minds like yours discover the show.
Until next time, happy reading.
