Your Default Settings: Adjust Your Autopilot to Build a More Stable and Impactful Life

by Rad Wendzich

"Refreshingly simple, practical and inspiring. A book I wish I could give to myself a decade ago."- Scott Berkun, best-selling author of The Myths of InnovationChange Your Default Settings to Change Your Course in LifeAt any given moment you're following pre-existing settings that direct your life along a certain path. They are your patterns of actions, words, and thoughts that have become ingrained over the years. The problem is that they may be taking your life in an unintended direction, limiting your growth both personally and professionally.In this short, visual, and action-oriented book, user experience expert Rad Wendzich offers a three-step guide to changing your recurring behaviors that too often go unexamined.Why change now?

Most people don't change their defaults. When you do, you will stand out more from your peers.One-time changes lead to ongoing benefits.The sooner you make the updates, the sooner you can reap the benefits.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2019

About the author

Rad Wendzich is a writer and an award-winning designer. Through his book, designs, and communities he's created, his north star is having positive impact on as many people as possible. He lives with his family in Seattle, Washington and online at radwendzich.com.

Reviews

[Timothy Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who reads a lot in the self-improvement category, I found Rad Wendzich’s unique approach to be both practical and immediately applicable. This excellent book encourages self-reflection on what our go-to behavior is in any situation. Without reflecting on what our defaults are, we fall into a trap where we just follow what has been set by our parents and community without intentionally living the way we hope to. After walking through the steps to changing your default settings, I found the structure between personal and work defaults to be a really meaningful way for me to reflect on my own life. Since reading, I’ve been redefining my defaults on how I spend my time, who my friends are, how I interact with others, and what I’m passionate about.

While the 36 sections were each bite-sized, they packed a punch. I found myself pausing after each section and reflecting – taking longer to get through the book because of each section's practical breakdown. It is obvious how much effort went into bringing out self-reflection and the activities sprinkled throughout the book to get you to consider your defaults.

Enjoy!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Default Settings is the perfect modern-day metaphor for understanding your current actions in order to re-calibrate and adjust your thoughts, behavior, and approach to life. Let’s face it – we’re on autopilot now more than ever with our always-on, tech-bombarded lives. And even all that aside, we still have grown to be the product of our neighborhoods and institutions; and to their general conveniences, not to our own unique desires and intentions. Through the lens of user experience design, this book gives a much-needed metacognitive reflection to customize, update, and improve your routines: choosing how you spend your time, interacting with others, and reaching your professional and personal goals.

Wendzich applies social psychology theory to our real-world environments and offers plans to increase the efficiency, positivity, and personal meaning of your work, home, and broader community. Thoughtful and relatable illustrations throughout help reinforce and further map out these concepts. This book is hopeful and encouraging while being super realistic, and offers practical tools you can begin using immediately! Highly recommended and well worth the read!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t my usual genre of reading material, but someone I respect asked me for my thoughts on it, so I gave it a go. It’s a quick read - I got thru it in an hour and a half or so. If you aren’t familiar with the concepts of living intentionally or mindfully, this book would be a great place to start. If you are, like me, then you might find it interesting to read about someone else’s approach and maybe pick up something. Personally, I got a couple good reminders and a tip I want to try.

[German Greiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Rad manages to convey incredibly wise advice in a concise and simple message. The book introduces a useful framework that can be used to conceptualize and improve a core aspect of every human being, our default settings. For me, it illuminated to what extent my behaviors are shaped by my environment while at the same time providing me with tools to intentionally create positive changes in my life. We sometimes live our lives in a passive mode, as if we are flowing in a river full of predetermined habits, preferences and traditions. We have the ability and, in some sense, responsibility to take an active role and shape our life according to our own vision. An important starting point to begin doing this is to evaluate and choose our default settings. The book goes through a systematic approach to help you understand, evaluate and lastly choose a new set of default settings. It covers several categories of default settings and uses examples to give you an idea of how to apply the concepts in your own life. Importantly, the book made me reassess many of my own selfish behaviors and strive to have a greater impact on the people around me.

I highly recommend this book to any one who is looking for a simple/effective way to steer their life in a more fulfilling direction. As well as for anyone who feels like they are stuck in a rut or detrimental behavioral cycle. This book will help you create a strong foundation to build the life you want to live.

[Jay K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The framework Rad presents to understand and change your “default settings” is easily digestible in a way that lets you spend time thinking about the application to your life as you go through each chapter in the book. Too many self-help and habit formation books over-index on the psychology and science and not on breaking down the steps you need to take to improve in a way that is easy to understand. Rad did a masterful job of taking a complex problem and turning into a playbook that equips you with a plan that gives you confidence. I love that it’s not too dense; it’s a book I plan to re-read every year to make sure I’m on the right track.

[Jamie Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for all of my mentees.

I gave this book a five star rating because I believe it is an efficient way of communicating many of my own long held beliefs. I question my default settings frequently but I believe the author has communicated why this is important in a universally consumable way. I will be advising my mentees to read Rad's book because it gets straight to the point.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful new approach to the self-improvement genre of books, and would be an excellent starting point for a younger person looking to start out in the world or ready to shift into a higher gear. It’s written simply and directly but not condescendingly, a rare feat and a large part of why I gave it an extra star.

If you’re someone in my shoes, sitting between young and old, there’s still useful advice to be found here too, but in nuggets more than a full vein. It’s such a short, concise read that it’s definitely worth your time for these nuggets of wisdom.

[☘︎ elisabet ☘︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

anyone looking for exercises, clear techniques, scientific studies etc will not be happy with this book.

thankfully, this is a quick and light read but sadly I took cero new information with me.

The reason this is a 3 star for me is because of how lovely it was put together. Sounds cheesy but it made me feel kinda warm and loved.

[P Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great; filled with lots of ideas and action plans. It’s not disappointing if you are on the page with author. However, I feel like it’s missing something; may be narrative experiences or examples. He could have explained more into community beliefs/defaults, so that it would have been easy for readers to follow the rest of book. It kinda gives the vibe of being rebellious in a way. Even though it’s a small book, it takes a while to process the thoughts. I love it!

[Gennyfer Hanvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about changing for the better

This book has straightforward, easily understood advice. Examining how and why we have default settings the author leads the reader to discover blocks they may be tripping over. I deleted a bunch of apps that provided mindless entertainment after reading this succinct book.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rad did an excellent job at breaking down information about how to shift our mindset, environment, and daily habits in order to step into the next best version of ourselves. It was a very simple and effective read about discovering what beliefs came from outside sources and how it’s still affecting us and our lifestyle and productivity, and then how to shift out of those auto pilot settings (or subconscious beliefs). It inspired me to make some positive changes in my daily habits. I also loved the illustrations to further impact my intake of this information. Thank you!

[Venkatesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books emphasizing to calibrate day to day life choices which we often overlook.

[Kaitlyn pandapants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Than I Expected and I Expected A Lot

Rad Wendzich provides easy to follow tips in a concise and relatable format. It is conversional, helpful, and a pleasure to read.

[Johnny K · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a early career psychologist, this is a book I wish I had written! Simple but powerful ideas expressed in a very reader friendly format, I will likely refer back to this book often, for myself and my clients

[MaryAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rad writes a thought provoking book, with simple, practical recommendations that spark life changing habits in thought and action. His approach to reflecting and assessing our "autopilot" settings prompts the reader to dig into the root of what drives our success or failure.

A wonderful and inspiring read, in an easily digestible format and length. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to optimize their life and increase both productivity AND satisfaction in life.

A note to the author: the quote attributed to Thomas Chalmers appears to be an excerpt from "The Golden Chain; or, The Christian Graces Illustrated and Enforced" (1855) by John Harvey.

[Rosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book is so helpful I'm going to start using the skills I've learned on a daily basis. Glad I found it.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like a good short book that motivates change. If it has enough heft or resonance to it I’ll make a habit of rereading it when I am at (or want to be at) a turning point of some sort. Like when it’s January and I’m reviewing the past year and deciding how to structure my focus and goals for the new. This one will not make it into the reread rotation. The useful stuff could be summarized in a not very long essay: examine your assumptions and habits; shake up your routines; expose yourself to new situations and ideas; commit to change.

The sections about interpersonal behavior were where I lost patience with the book. They felt like he was encouraging the readers to patronize the people around them. To act from a default setting of superior knowledge. It reminded me of people I know who engage publicly in their projects as a way of being an example to others. That sets up an unequal relationship and closes off the person setting themselves up as superior from opportunities to truly connect with and learn from the other person.

And the focus on doing good to others as a way of somehow leaving a better legacy: that feels ugly and transactional to me. Would I like to be remembered as a kind and loving person? Of course. Do I engage in acts of kindness and love in service to my legacy? I really hope not. That would be selfishness dressed up as selflessness. That kind of insincerity comes across to others. It neither builds up the other person nor the relationship with that other person.

I’ll end my rant now. One star. No reread potential.

[Barry Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book, just quite basic. Didn’t get much value.

[Muhammad Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely food for thought on a difficult topic

A courageous work that addresses a topic that most people might think taboo. Why? Because taking stock of yourself is hard, reflecting on how you got here, what makes you you, can be uncomfortable.
Using language that is accessible to all, especially in the digital world of "default settings" is a nice way of driving home the message that we humans, over time have collected default settings and if changed, can result in so much more.
A lot of the topics resonated. Written in plain English, no psychology mumbojumbo, respectful and accessible to all.
A must read for anyone on the path to improving the self.

[Vikrama Dhiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat Little Book

It doesn't make new points but puts together information in a way that is refreshingly new about how to evaluate and change your default settings. Some lessons on setting reminders to reflect, evaluate and changing your environment are presented nicely.

[Danny W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Default Settings is an excellent guide for young people seeking happiness and fulfillment. The author's approach offers strategies and actionable steps for personal growth. This book is a must read for those navigating life as a young adult, highly recommended.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me feel good

Not a deep book. It is a kind of feel good book. I read the whole thing in 65 minutes. Worth the 99 cents i paid for it.

[Mia Wicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read, but very useful information for everyone. This is a great resource for people feeling especially trapped in situations

[Ella Bui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative and helpful

This book is easy to read and apply tips to change your default settings.
I could finish it in a day.

[Cari Mayhew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book by it's title, as I feel I for one have default moods and default internal dialogue.

Whilst I enjoyed this quick read, I'm sorry to say I didn't learn anything new from it. Not only that but unlike the majority of self help books out there, it was rather uninspiring.