Rip It Up: The radically new approach to changing your life by Richard Wiseman
Summary
Richard Wiseman’s Rip It Up challenges a central tenet of self-help psychology: that change begins in the mind. Instead, he draws on a rich body of behavioural research to argue that action comes first, and that feelings follow. Want to be happier? Smile. Want to feel braver? Stand tall, take long strides, and adopt confident body language. This is the “as if” principle: if we act as if we’re already the person we want to be, our thoughts and emotions will often catch up.
This “outside-in” model is backed by a wide range of examples, from facial feedback experiments to Aristotle’s observation that we become what we repeatedly do. Wiseman is especially good at highlighting simple, concrete actions. He suggests role-playing, written pledges, and even writing a letter to yourself and burning it to let go of a regret. There’s a memorable section on posture, head up, shoulders back, and on the subtle influence of clothing on behaviour. Dress sharply, and you’re more likely to feel professional and act accordingly.
The book also explores how physical activity enhances emotional well-being. Exercise releases endorphins. Walking improves creativity. And even something as basic as starting “I’ll just read one page” can overcome procrastination. This has always worked for me.
The book also explores how physical activity enhances emotional well-being. Exercise releases endorphins. Walking improves creativity. And even something as basic as starting “I’ll just read one page” can overcome procrastination. This has always worked for me.
Key Insights
- Emotions often follow behaviour, not precede it.
- Smile, stand tall, and act confident — the feelings tend to follow.
- Posture, facial expressions, and clothing all affect mood and conduct.
- “Acting as if” helps shift internal states (e.g., behaving calmly reduces anger).
- Personality is not fixed; we can create and rehearse new versions of ourselves.
- Small behavioural nudges — like pledges, fake letters, or simple actions — can have a lasting impact.
- Walking boosts creativity; exercise improves emotional well-being.
- Role play can help break habits or create new identities.
Strengths
- Grounded in empirical studies, yet highly accessible.
- Practical, actionable, and refreshingly non-theoretical.
- Encourages experimentation and personal agency.
- Contains quirky but memorable advice that sticks.
- Challenges the over-introspective tendencies of traditional self-help.
Weaknesses
- Some examples may strike British readers as a bit too breezy or theatrical.
- The tone can veer into pop-psychology at times.
- The “fake it till you make it” premise, while helpful, may oversimplify deeper psychological struggles.
- Risk of sounding like a series of clever tricks rather than a sustained philosophy of change.
Reflections
The central thesis, that actions lead feelings, resonates with older traditions. Aristotle believed we become virtuous by doing virtuous things. Wiseman updates that idea with modern research and some levity. Some of his suggestions (burning a sealed letter, creating fake doctor’s notes) border on the theatrical, but they reflect a serious point: we are not stuck with the roles we’ve been handed. We can choose new ones and step into them through practice.
For someone raised in a culture that values stoicism and understatement, there’s something both refreshing and slightly uncomfortable about elements of Wiseman’s method (He is an Englishman, after all ). But perhaps that discomfort is precisely the point, a sign that our internal programs could do with a rewrite.
Conclusion
Rip It Up is a fast, engaging read packed with insightful suggestions. I read it, agreed with everything, and solemnly resolved to change my life. Then I forgot it all within a week. Still, I suspect Wiseman would forgive me and suggest I simply start again, acting as if I never stopped.
Book Details
Title: Rip It Up: The radically new approach to changing your life
Author: Richard Wiseman
Publication Year: 2013
Genre: Self-Help, Practical and Motivational