Following Through

Book excerpt: First published in 1998, Following Through shines a spotlight into the black hole in inner space where good intentions disappear. It reveals the startling reason why even people who are truly serious about making life-improving changes often fail. Although we often blame poor follow through on not having enough motivation, willpower, self-discipline or character, Levinson and Greider argue that the real culprit is the mixed-up way the human mind designed. The mind, they insist, simply isn't hard-wired for follow-through. And as much as we -- individuals, society, and especially the self-improvement industry -- like to pretend otherwise, good intentions do not automatically drive our behavior. And continuing to expect them to will only lead to disappointment, frustration and failure. But Following Through won't leave you discouraged. It will show you how facing the truth about what it really takes to consistently turn your good intentions into life-improving action can change everything for the better. It will teach you bold new strategies for getting yourself to do whatever you intelligently decide you should do. For customer reviews, please see listings for previous editions of Following Through. Note for readers of previous editions: This edition of Following Through is redesigned but does not include new content.