Small Change

by Larry Terkel, Susan Terkel

It's the little things in life that make a big difference!Replace a soft drink with water at just one meal-say, lunch. Over the course of a year, you will drink approximately forty gallons more water, avoid consuming up to 50,000 calories, and save as much as $500. Indeed, just as the stray coins you toss into a jar each evening gradually build into an amount you can use to actually purchase something sub-stantial, small changes-of any kind-can really add up! In Small Change, husband-and-wife writing team Susan and Larry Terkel offer readers a gentle yet powerful program for making significant changes in their lives based on three simple Small changes are easier than big makeovers. (Each week add just one private dinner with your mate to your schedule and see your relationship improve by leaps and bounds.) - Small changes add up to big benefits over time. (Smile just a little each day and, over time, watch your stress levels decrease, your immune system grow stronger, and your relationships prosper.)- Small changes are more consistent with human nature and evolution. (After all, in the end, the tortoise did beat the hare.)With an emphasis on daily habits, and some simple recipes for improving them, this wise little book outlines a fresh perspective on the timeless quest for sustainable self-improvement and a (relatively painless!) pathway to a better you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2004

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this short self-help book is that small changes are easier to make than big changes, and that these small changes can add up over time to make big improvements in life. The authors suggest making one small change each month, or whenever one gets motivated to change. Not much is said about how to get motivated or how to make these changes into habits, though the book seems geared towards beginners. Rather, the chapters list various small changes one can make in the areas of health, relationships, work, and home. The information is quite basic, and this would be a good book for someone who wants to improve their life but can’t come up with ways to get started.

Here’s a random sampling of the Terkel’s suggested small changes: quick yoga moves to do in the bathroom, smiling, slowing down, reading more, washing your hands (to prevent colds), checking your car’s air filter, making your bed, writing thank-you notes, breathing deeply, going to bed earlier, asking questions to indicate interest in others, and giving up talking over, interrupting, story-stealing and other conversational no-nos. There are many more topics, and none are explored in great depth.

If a list of such small changes inspires you, or if you need some reasons to feel happy with your life, then by all means read this book. If you already do these sorts of simple things for self-contentment but want to accomplish more difficult things, such as quitting smoking, beginning an exercise program, or finding new work, this is not the best book to get you to your goal.

[Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, there is so much that makes you really think about our fast-paced lives & making changes to it to enjoy life more fully. Super glad I got this book & years from now look forward to reading it again when I forget about some of the things that are mentioned that are truly important in life.
I reread this book after like a decade because sometimes you need to remind yourself of what matters especially during a pandemic. Bringing it back down to things that are tangible make it easier as what ends up being bite sized is easier to tackle than what is way larger. There are various parts of this book that are broken down to: work, personal, health, relationships, etc. so you can focus on what you most need, but obviously reading the whole thing will have certain parts that resonate more w/ you more. Slowing down, being mindful is probably something we all need more of so I suggest after you read it to give to someone else or recommend it so you can have people go to the library or independent bookstore. There is something to be gained from this book & what that is depends on what your needs are.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small change is a big book. It shows you that many unsurmountable obstacles can be overcome by initiating a progressive wave of small changes in your life. This is a book that empowers one to take self responsibility, to get motivated, and to endure on the road to improvement.

[Wenona Hulsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidance for little changes that add up.

I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It's full of great suggestions of little changes the can lead to a happier, healthier, more rounded you.

[Garfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep picking this little book up, time and time again. Some really nice ideas to make changes in your life. Taking baby steps, rather then trying to go full steam ahead and then feeling overwhelmed and giving up all together. It's done in nice smallish chapters that make it perfect to have close at hand to browse through it.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't as inspired as I was hoping to be. The premise of changing small things that ultimately add up to big improvements is solid. But the suggestions in the book and the "playful banter" between husband and wife took the concept off-track for me.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you are always trying to change/improve something about yourself, this is a great little guide.

[Carol]

I'm taking a class from the author and was curious to see his writing. I'm already practicing some of his concepts but there is always room to grow through small changes.

[Jaime Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great suggestions for making small changes to your daily habits.