A Review of ‘Get It Done’: Motivation Insights from Fishbach

I began taking Psych 4: Cognitive Psychology because I am pursuing a degree in psychology. As an assignment, I’m to write a review on a book of my choosing in relation to Cognitive Psychology (of course). The book I chose is “Get It Done” by Ayelet Fishbach. I selected this book because self-motivation resonates with me and my profession. Some days I tend to struggle with self-motivation, yet I still show up for the things that matter. I want tools you trust and to support others while also building a better future for myself. In addition, I chose “Get it Done” because motivation is most crucial on days when you don’t feel your best. 

Ayelet Fishback is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her research focuses on motivation, goal pursuit, self-control, and decision making. She studied how people set goals, track progress, and respond to success or failure. Fishbach has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and writes for both academic and general audiences. Her work bridges cognitive psychology and behavioral science, which supports her authority in this area. 

The book focuses on how motivation works in real life. Fishback explains goal progress, feedback, and reward systems. One key idea involves how you frame progress. When you focus on progress left, effort increases. When you focus on progress made, effort often drops. Another central idea addresses conflicting goals. After effort in one area, people usually relax standards in another. The book also highlights rule-based behavior. Simple rules guide choices when motivation drops. 

This book reflects current academic work on motivation and self-regulation. Research in cognitive psychology indicates that working memory, executive control, and feedback influence goal pursuit, aligning with the course material in Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology. The book adds value by translating lab research into daily behavior. Fishbach uses strong empirical studies and clear logic. The writing stays readable and grounded. The intended audience includes students, professionals, coaches, and anyone interested in behavior change.

Before attending Psych 4: Cognitive Psychology, I mainly connected cognitive psychology with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) used for anxiety and depression. This book expanded that view. Cognitive psychology also explains habits, motivation, and decision-making. This book will influence my behavior by focusing on habit change and applying strategies in my daily life. I recommend this book to people who struggle with motivation or consistency. I end with a friendly reminder: 

1. Lead with curiosity.
2. Reduce judgment. 
3. Adjust your approach based on context.

References: 

Ayelet Fishbach, Columnist at Behavioral Scientist. https://behavioralscientist.org/author/ayelet-fishbach/

Fishbach, A. (2022). Get it done. Surprising lessons from the science of motivation. Little, Brown Spark.

Kellogg, R. T. (2020). Fundamentals of cognitive psychology (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.