On Second Thought: How Ambivalence Shapes Your Life

by William R. Miller

The rich inner world of a human being is far more complex than either/or. You can love and hate, want to go and want to stay, feel both joy and sadness. Psychologist William Miller--one of the world's leading experts on the science of change--offers a fresh perspective on ambivalence and its transformative potential in this revealing book. Rather than trying to overcome indecision by force of will, Dr. Miller explores what happens when people allow opposing arguments from their “inner committee members” to converse freely with each other. Learning to tolerate and even welcome feelings of ambivalence can help you get unstuck from unwanted habits, clarify your desires and values, explore the pros and cons of tough decisions, and open doorways to change. Vivid examples from everyday life, literature, and history illustrate why we are so often "of two minds," and how to work through it.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published December 28, 2021

About the author

William Richard Miller is an American clinical psychologist, an emeritus distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Miller and Stephen Rollnick are the co-founders of motivational interviewing.

Reviews

[Robert Bogue]

“Ambivalence is our constant companion.” It’s my first highlight from On Second Thought: How Ambivalence Shapes Your Life. This isn’t the first work of William Miller that I’ve read. He coauthored Motivational Interviewing and Quantum Change. I’ve learned to trust his insights and recognize that there’s more to the story than we may have thought or been told. I’ve learned that, sometimes, the power comes from the conflicting thoughts that drive ambivalence.

Read more

[Timmytoothless]

Helpful take on the subject, particularly when addressing the typical root causes of ambivalence. Read more like primer rather than an in depth examination of the topic.

[Florina Caldare]

Întodeauna caută să vezi și a treia posibilitate. Fugi de gândirea binară.

[Helen]

I'm a well-practiced fence sitter. Now I understand why I've always appreciated the perspective and outlook it gives me. Fascinating reading.