Change Proof by Adam Markel Summary
Overview of Change Proof
In "Change Proof," resilience expert Adam Markel reveals why uncertainty is your greatest asset. Wall Street Journal bestseller endorsed by HubSpot's Brian Halligan, offering a revolutionary "pause, ask, choose" framework that transforms chaos into opportunity. What if change wasn't something to survive, but leverage?
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Key takeaways
Embracing Life's Rip Currents
Imagine being caught in a powerful rip current at Jones Beach. Your instinct screams to swim directly toward shore, but that only depletes your energy faster as the current pulls you further out to sea. Every desperate stroke makes your situation worse. This visceral experience perfectly captures how we typically respond to life's unexpected changes - fighting against them rather than adapting to new realities. In today's world, change isn't an occasional disruption but our constant state. The pandemic merely accelerated what was already true: uncertainty is our new normal. Our brains, wired for certainty and predictability, struggle with this reality. We experience what could be called "macro pivots" (major life changes) and "micro pivots" (small daily disruptions) simultaneously, creating a perfect storm of stress that conventional resilience strategies can't address. Consider Gertrude Ederle, who in 1926 attempted to swim the English Channel. When her coach pulled her from the water during her first attempt, assuming she was in distress, she returned a year later and became the first woman to complete the swim. When dangerous winds arose and her coach suggested quitting, she simply raised her head and asked, "What for?" This resilient mindset is what we need to become "change-proof" - not fighting harder against the current but learning to work with it.
The Pause-Ask-Choose Framework
Your Perception Shapes Your Reality
The Resilience Bank Account
Building Organizational Resilience
Harmony Over Balance
Resilience as Your Legacy
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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