In his latest book and TEDxESCP talk, the ESCP Professor proposes to accompany us along our life-changing paths with discernment.

In Philippe Gabilliet’s new book entitled L’art de changer de vie en 5 leçons (The art of changing lives in five lessons), he continues to explore in depth the capacity we have to transform our lives by choosing boldness and enthusiasm in all circumstances. “So many people want to change their lives, and for so many reasons! Boredom, dissatisfaction, fear of missing opportunities, desire of fulfilment, search of a ‘real life’, even pure necessity sometimes, when facing constraining or accidental events,” considers the Optimists Without Borders Honorary President and Spokesman of the Ligue des Optimistes de France (French League of Optimists).

The book starts from a simple observation: 7 out of 10 French persons would like to change their lives, and 20% say they are ready to leave everything in order to meet themselves, to realize themselves fully and to live the life that awaits them (OpinionWay, 2016)!
In this pragmatic and action-oriented essay, Philippe Gabilliet reminds us that while it may be legitimate to want to change our lives, it is always preferable to do so with a sound understanding, by asking ourselves the right questions about ourselves, others and the life to which we aspire. This is why the Professor of Psychology and Management at ESCP proposes - through five lessons replete with examples - to accompany us step by step through the stages that make successful life changes.

In the TEDx talk below, which he gave (in English) at ESCP’s Montparnasse (Paris) campus on 23 November, 2018 during the TEDxESCP event entitled "Be the change", he first urged the audience to look differently at time and thus life - compared to a play in which you share the stage with other actors playing different roles -, and become its director by changing the, plot, sets and cast. He then gave his five tips to achieve that:

  1. Check and assess which play you’re playing in with the heart, not the brain.
  2. Ask yourself what you want to change: The plot? Your part? The cast, etc.? And be prepared to make concessions.
  3. Ask yourself what competing hidden commitments lurk backstage.
  4. Don’t cast others out, changing lives may require a different plot but it is a collective adventure in which you will need other actors.
  5. Every change starts from within and like a play, living requires learning.

 

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