The Plateau Effect

Getting From Stuck to Success

By: Bob Sullivan, Hugh Thompson

Narrated by: Don Hagen

The Plateau Effect is a powerful law of nature that affects everyone. Learn to identify plateaus and break through any stagnancy in your life - from diet and exercise, to work, to relationships. The Plateau Effect shows how athletes, scientists, therapists, companies, and musicians around the world are learning to break through their plateau - to turn off the forces that cause people to “get used to” things - and turn on human potential and happiness in ways that seemed impossible.

The audiobook identifies three key flattening forces that generate plateaus, two principles to guide listeners in engineering a plateau’s destruction, and three actions to take to achieve peak behavior. It helps us to stop wasting time on things that are no longer of value and to focus on the things that leverage our time and energy in spectacular ways. Anything you want to do better - play guitar, make friends, communicate with your children, run a business - you can accomplish faster by understanding the plateau effect.

©2013 Bob Sullivan and Hugh Thompson (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

“You already know what the plateau effect is. No matter what the endeavor, we've all experienced that feeling of diminishing returns from our efforts. Now Bob Sullivan and Hugh Thompson present the definitive guide for those who believe things can get a lot better and want to rise above their plateaus. Turn your back on the daily grind for good. Read this book now.” (Ori Brafman, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior)

" The Plateau Effect is smart, bracing, and eye-opening­ with genuine pay-offs for accomplishing your dreams. It’s also cheerful, funny and greatly entertaining. Use it!” (Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother)

Great ideas

A kick in the butt to overcome mediocrity. A little confusing some times but very practical concepts. Highly recommend it.

Heath

If you could sum up The Plateau Effect in three words, what would they be?

Anecdotes, curiosities, aha-moments

What does Don Hagen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nothing. While I like Don Hagen, I would have preferred the authors reading the book. Don is a bit too mellow and laid back.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part about perfectionism and what to do about it.

Any additional comments?

At first I didn't think this book contributed much to me, apart from various anecdotes. But I must say I got quickly through it, despite the 9 hours it takes. Why? Because, while the book could use more substance and concrete, actionable advice, f.e. some sentence stems to finish, it did turn out to be quite interesting.

It's like the authors want to be the Heath brothers (authors of Made to Stick) but actually exceeds them. The book has had an impact upon my view of the world. So while not perfect, I do recommend it!

Excellent and Eye Opener

Where does The Plateau Effect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this was the point every one was missing, how we get stuck up in growth, since we are not aware that we have reached plateau
there is no growth beyond a certain point in each part

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Plateau Effect?

good

What does Don Hagen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

good

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

good

Any additional comments?

cool