Self-help books, coaching books, management books? Secretly, I think: they promise so much. Fortunately, I don’t always think that, and that is just as well. There are books that have influenced me. Here is the fifth book that gives me direction: it is easy to read and the prompts for the reader are perfectly doable.

DREAM, DARE, DO

Actually, I’m not really into Dutch celebrities standing on stage to tell us how things can be done differently. And my thoughts about Ben Tiggelaar were no different. Yet, just before a summer vacation, a coaching client pressed his book ‘Dreams, Dare, Do’ into my hands. The book is about change, and that was exactly the assignment I was guiding this client through. He had received a duplicate copy of the book: from both a good friend and his wife. Apparently, his dearest ones felt it was time for change. I don’t know if he actually started reading the book. He opted for coaching and gave his second copy to me.
That summer it rained heavily, and at times like that, I enjoy reading books. Tiggelaar’s book was beckoning to me; it is thin and you can finish it in a few hours. If you read it alone. If you also fill out the workbook at the back, you need a few extra hours. ‘No sweat,’ I thought. The rain is giving me time.

In this little book, Ben explains well why we fail to sustain most changes. He also shows, step by step, how to successfully adopt new habits. These are not pipe dreams or unrealistic visions. His book is based on current psychological insights, practical experiences, and stories from people who – through trial and error – have learned to lead themselves.

Personally, I learn best by doing: that is why I decided to fill out the workbook. I have now been on my way for six months to ingraining a new habit. So far, it is going well, albeit with some trial and error. Ben’s book is helping me with that.