On June 18, 2024, Professor Emeritus Dr. Wolfgang Linden’s new book The Illusion of Control: A Practical Guide to Avoid Futile Struggles will be released.
Based on scientific evidence and real-life experience, the book makes a well-justified case that people grossly overestimate how much power they have over others and simultaneously miss out on opportunities to enjoy and exploit the power they have over themselves.
Dr. Linden joins us for a Q&A where he shares personal anecdotes, examples of missed opportunities, and what readers can learn from his book.
What inspired you to write “Illusions of Control”? Was there a particular event or realization that sparked the idea for the book?
Mmh, the kind of question a Psychologist will ask! Upon reflection, no singular event stands out. On the other hand, the decision to write a popular psychology book (instead of more science) was an easy one. In my stage of life, people care about legacy and this is a definitely a legacy project. The book ties together what I am, what I believe, and advocate for, and why! As scientists we write articles in journals that must be concise and narrow; no opportunity here for world views and tangents, and lovely analogies. Also, writing this book is partly motivated by a felt need to share what we have learned throughout a full life. Failures are key teaching moments and success strategies must be shared of course, too.
In the book, you discuss the idea of missed opportunities to enjoy and exploit the power individuals have over themselves. Could you provide some examples of these missed opportunities?
There is lots here. For one thing, I believe you can learn and make new experiences as long as you breathe, there is no age limit. People who make new experiences can share these with friends and families and don’t not need to repeat the same war stories a hundred times. My wife and I just got back from three weeks in Colombia where we stayed with a local family and took Spanish courses in the morning. The result is a range of travel stories that differ greatly from our more touristy stories. A big theme is enjoying the fact that we have lots of control over our behaviour. Yes, we can be scared of heights and still book a flight in a hot air balloon (done this, and it was scary!). We can make friends at all ages and enjoy their company. We can create joyous events at will. Problems are often out of our control, but adding joy makes problem solving easier.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book? Are there any specific insights or perspectives you aim to impart?
Indeed, there are many to choose from. Via the book one can get more resourceful in learning when to invest and engage in people and in projects, and know when to stop. The book strongly urges people to stop trying to convince other people that you are right and they are wrong. Unsolicited advice is rarely appreciated. Make sure there is meaning to your life; how else do you know that today’s decision have a purpose? I encourage people to engage in people and causes. Learn active listening; it is great for friendships, intimate partnerships, and political engagement.
Can you share any personal anecdotes or experiences that influenced the themes explored in “Illusions of Control”?
I listed some of those above already. But, of course, there are more: I have learned and accept that there is more joy in making new experiences than in buying new gadgets or cars or clothes. I try (and of course sometimes fail) to not repeat myself more than once. When two of the same attempts at solving a problem, did not work, walk away or change tactics. When you enter the same wrong password into your computer 10 times, nothing new happens; you knew this already at attempt two and three.
About the Author
Dr. Wolfgang Linden is a Professor Emeritus in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He is a scientist practitioner with expertise in the reduction of health risk behaviours, stress management, eating disorders, treatment of hypertension, psychosocial cardiac rehabilitation, and psychological factors in cancer care. Dr. Linden has written over 170 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and six books, three of which were also published in German, Turkish, Chinese, and Korean. For the last four decades he has worked as an advocate for improved mental health care, and has recently focused on trying to minimize the long-term consequences of adverse childhoods.
