Triggers: Becoming the Person You Want to Be
Marshall Goldsmith is widely regarded as one of the most influential executive coaches in the world.
Why We Chose This Book#
Marshall Goldsmith is widely regarded as one of the most influential executive coaches in the world. His work with Fortune 500 CEOs and global leaders has produced a rare body of knowledge about why smart, successful people still struggle to change their behavior. Triggers distills decades of that frontline experience into a framework anyone can use — not just executives, but anyone who has ever wondered why knowing better doesn’t automatically lead to doing better.
What Makes This Book Unique#
Most self-help books tell you what to change. This one explains why you can’t — and then gives you a deceptively simple system to close the gap. The core insight is that our environment constantly triggers behaviors we never consciously chose. The antidote isn’t more willpower; it’s a daily practice of active self-questioning that shifts responsibility from “Did I do it?” to “Did I try my best?” That single reframe has been validated across 79 studies involving over 2,500 participants, and it changes everything about how you approach personal change.
Who This Book Is For#
This book is for anyone who has ever made a resolution, started strong, and then quietly abandoned it. It’s for managers who want to lead by example but find themselves reverting to old habits under pressure. It’s for parents who know exactly what kind of role model they want to be — and fall short daily. If you’ve ever felt the frustration of the gap between your ideal self and your actual self, this book was written for you.
How to Read This Book#
Don’t rush through it. The first eight chapters build a critical foundation — they explain why change is so hard, and skipping them will make the tools in the second half feel superficial. When you reach Chapter 9, start the daily questions immediately. Don’t wait until you’ve finished the book. The system works through repetition, not comprehension.
A Note from Jembon Publishing#
We believe the most powerful books are the ones that change what you do tomorrow morning. This is one of those books. Read it with a pen in hand, and start asking yourself the six questions tonight.