The As If Principle Audiobook By Richard Wiseman cover art

The As If Principle

The Radically New Approach to Changing Your Life

Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends January 29, 2026 11:59pm PT
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Unlimited access to our all-you-can listen catalog of 150K+ audiobooks and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The As If Principle

By: Richard Wiseman
Narrated by: Ralph Lister
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends January 21, 2026 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.56

Buy for $18.56

LIMITED TIME OFFER | Get 3 months for $0.99 a month

$14.95/mo thereafter-terms apply.

Victorian philosopher William James had a theory about emotion and behavior: It isn’t that our feelings guide our actions (feel happy and you will laugh). On the contrary, it is our actions that guide our emotions (laugh and you will feel happy). This led James to a remarkable conclusion: "If you want a quality, act as if you already have it." Roused by James’s astonishing discovery, renowned psychologist and best-selling author Richard Wiseman confirms James’s principle and shows how the self-help genre has for too long put the cart before the horse in trying to help us take control of our lives.

Bringing to the table a dazzling array of firsthand experiments, surprising histories, and psychological case studies, Wiseman illustrates in brilliant detail how we can apply this principle in our daily lives:

  • Smile to become measurably happier
  • Wash your hands to drive away guilt
  • Clench your fist to increase your willpower
  • Eat with your nondominant hand to lose weight
  • Nod while speaking to become more persuasive
  • Act like a newlywed to rekindle your marriage

Lively, engaging, and truly mind-changing, The As If Principle is that rare gem that offers real, workable solutions for your day-to-day goals while helping you to instantly take control of your emotions. Whether it’s quitting a bad habit, persevering through a difficult task, or achieving your dream self, The As If Principle can help. Don’t just think about changing your life. Do it.

©2013 Richard Wiseman (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
Biological Sciences History & Philosophy Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Happiness Emotions Health Mental Health
Practical Advice • Scientific Backing • Fun Narration • Actionable Techniques • Immediate Applicability

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
Useful tips for making changes in your life. Worth reading although author has a little chip on his shoulder with regard to deeper psychodynamic processes.

Applying behavioral psych in your life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

story of how to chance your life based of psychological research. highly recommended for people

fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

great examples of how you mind understand how your body act. very useful tips to day day life.

great asset to your audiobook store

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This is Brad one of the most useful psychology books on behavior change that I’ve ever read. Highly recommend it!

The practicality of this book was the best part.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The book was excellent; I even started utilizing some of the examples in my everyday life.

Excellent way to think!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews