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Act Accordingly
Act Accordingly is a philosophical framework written to help people become the best possible version of themselves. Rather than proposing a one-size-fits-all code of beliefs or behaviors, the ideas presented in this intentionally concise book encourage readers to question their long-held biases, their definition of confidence, their level of self-sustainability, and the degree to which they allow themselves to evolve their beliefs over time. There's no time like the present to... act accordingly.
45 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2013
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469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 19, 2020
Came back to this one a second time. Quick, concise read. Offers a strong sense of perspective and wisdom. Will likely read again in future. xx
June 25, 2016
This is the fifth of Colin's books I have read and I'm starting to understand and enjoy the overlapping circles that he is using to paint his lifspeki (that's Icelandic for "the practical philosophy by which one lives his/her life"). I already sense major points of divergence in our attitudes and beliefs about things - but that's okay - insofar as Colin advocates consistency, openness, and communication that is fundamentally dependent on self-reflection, we are on the same page. He is urging us to live our life on our own terms, and to live it well, and there's a lot of good in that message.
However, in his striving to radically understand the point of view of those he disagrees with, he doesn't allow for the possibility that some things are universally beautiful or repugnant, regardless of context. For example, in the North America of the 1500s, there was nothing beautiful about an Aztec religion that ripped hearts out of the chest of still beating children and adults. Nothing. And the accounts of the neighboring natives at the time indicated their terror.
In the present day it is acceptable in some countries (who are on very favorable terms with the United States) to throw homosexuals to their deaths from the tops of buildings, or to "honor-kill" a woman who has been raped, or to stone an adulterer, or to cut off the hand of a thief.
Cultures who allow this level of barbaric cruelty are among the lowest the world has known and cannot be considered "relatively the same" as other cultures around the world. I am a Singaporean-born American living in France, and I have harsh words for all those governments, so I don't pretend anywhere is perfect, but I will say that no decent human being can consider such practices as those I have mentioned above to be acceptable. Colin can and should feel comfortable calling them what they are: disgusting practices carried out by thugs amid an encouraging (or cowardly) public. No doubt there are true heroes, unknown to us, working in these countries and cultures, but we won't help them by relativizing these horrors because we refuse to call evil things evil.
These beliefs and cultures are not to be "understood" or "contextualized." They are to be studied, examined, rejected, and then actively worked against, and if possible, destroyed. Our disgust and repugnance doesn't make us "close-minded." Rather, we close our minds to the acceptance of such ugliness.
However, in his striving to radically understand the point of view of those he disagrees with, he doesn't allow for the possibility that some things are universally beautiful or repugnant, regardless of context. For example, in the North America of the 1500s, there was nothing beautiful about an Aztec religion that ripped hearts out of the chest of still beating children and adults. Nothing. And the accounts of the neighboring natives at the time indicated their terror.
In the present day it is acceptable in some countries (who are on very favorable terms with the United States) to throw homosexuals to their deaths from the tops of buildings, or to "honor-kill" a woman who has been raped, or to stone an adulterer, or to cut off the hand of a thief.
Cultures who allow this level of barbaric cruelty are among the lowest the world has known and cannot be considered "relatively the same" as other cultures around the world. I am a Singaporean-born American living in France, and I have harsh words for all those governments, so I don't pretend anywhere is perfect, but I will say that no decent human being can consider such practices as those I have mentioned above to be acceptable. Colin can and should feel comfortable calling them what they are: disgusting practices carried out by thugs amid an encouraging (or cowardly) public. No doubt there are true heroes, unknown to us, working in these countries and cultures, but we won't help them by relativizing these horrors because we refuse to call evil things evil.
These beliefs and cultures are not to be "understood" or "contextualized." They are to be studied, examined, rejected, and then actively worked against, and if possible, destroyed. Our disgust and repugnance doesn't make us "close-minded." Rather, we close our minds to the acceptance of such ugliness.
October 30, 2022
Simple. Pointed. Impactful. I recommend everyone indulge in this quick 1-hour read! You're guaranteed to walk away with a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas about how you can approach the simple and complex ideas in your life.
December 15, 2022
Less than 50 pages, a very short and concise book to guide people to understand how to act as needed, according to the context and momentum. There are 13 chapters. The first one made me have the urge to do something not because of who I am and other outdated beliefs but because of the time frame and resources that I have. The second one is the importance of having flexible core skills that are useful anytime. The third chapter is enough to change my mindset about working hard to act accordingly and make hard work feel more meaningful. The fourth, act accordingly to face challenges without putting ego aside. The fifth, definitions about self-confidence that fuel the power to act accordingly. The sixth, a principle that provides action options to positively influence the world. Seventh, about the benefits of having personal relativism towards all that is black and white. Eighth, invites me to treat skill-development like playing Tetris. Ninth, how to create value to make relationships in balance between giving and receiving. Tenth, counting money and lifestyle that helps us live sustainably. Eleventh, invites us to see people from the inside of the cake, not from the icing. Twelfth, to let go of labeling which makes it difficult for us to act accordingly. Thirteenth, the Icelandic philosophy that reminds us about living our beliefs, beyond just holding beliefs.
April 7, 2017
Loved it, sharp and really interesting approach to many concepts I wonder about. It´s good to have this positive and ever-evolving framework to review anytime I want.
October 6, 2017
This book was short but powerful.
October 22, 2018
Enjoyed this enough in Kindle to get a paperback version to read. Original review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 16, 2020
Rich and concise.
May 28, 2025
Short, concise and straight to the point. You only live once, so make it worth it.
July 8, 2013
Act Accordingly is a manifesto for acting confidently
within the confines
of expanding identity---& the bonus perk of making me want to try playing Tetris.
Colin Wright suggests starting clean from the start
as a better (& smarter solution)
to achieving sustainability.
He suggests a sweet alternative
to being released from
a restless mindset,
is by adjusting our lifestyle to living simply
within the means of our earnings
transforming washed out passion
into refined cultivation
&steadfast clarity.
As post-millenial humans,
our access to variety and exposure
is totally, enormously (& numerously) different than ever before.
With that said, perhaps creating value in the present
//Re-Cognizing through thick or thin,
is where we're able to tap into a cherished essence
of appreciating our capability in current standing--
creating value over time in
health, habits, & happiness.
"We’re so fixated on the silly icing and sprinkles and decorations we’re forgetting that at the core, we’re the same species. Our differences pale in significance to our similarities"
Personally, I connect with Colins' perspective of
the unbreakable quality
in shared humanity
layered by labels
& trivial dismissals
based on ideal assumptions
focused on the icing
rather than the whole piece.
Busyness is the new Black
&Balance is the new RAD.
I'm totally vibing a driven flux on nearly everyone & thing lately,
where we're relearning how to relax
yet resurrecting responsibility
or constant activity
to avoid aimless apathy
from inflicting sensory image.
What's heartening about this book
is how Colin Wright presents Act Accordingly,
as a mantra to survive toward striving within fluxing.
Choosing our path through a blend
of constant philosophies or happenings--
fueling a purpose in process
over instant insatiability.
I admire Colins perspective on rolling with the punches
while guiding rather than concealing
to victories of simply existing
within a balanced mentality
representing authenticity.
Act Accordingly,
is an influentially rad read.
It doesn't zip the forehead
with ideal fabrications
to cover up reality's blemish
but rather rides you through the waves,
with a voice that delivers volume
in genuine grace & guided sustainability
showing how one can achieve aspiration
in ease, responsibility and possibility.
within the confines
of expanding identity---& the bonus perk of making me want to try playing Tetris.
Colin Wright suggests starting clean from the start
as a better (& smarter solution)
to achieving sustainability.
He suggests a sweet alternative
to being released from
a restless mindset,
is by adjusting our lifestyle to living simply
within the means of our earnings
transforming washed out passion
into refined cultivation
&steadfast clarity.
As post-millenial humans,
our access to variety and exposure
is totally, enormously (& numerously) different than ever before.
With that said, perhaps creating value in the present
//Re-Cognizing through thick or thin,
is where we're able to tap into a cherished essence
of appreciating our capability in current standing--
creating value over time in
health, habits, & happiness.
"We’re so fixated on the silly icing and sprinkles and decorations we’re forgetting that at the core, we’re the same species. Our differences pale in significance to our similarities"
Personally, I connect with Colins' perspective of
the unbreakable quality
in shared humanity
layered by labels
& trivial dismissals
based on ideal assumptions
focused on the icing
rather than the whole piece.
Busyness is the new Black
&Balance is the new RAD.
I'm totally vibing a driven flux on nearly everyone & thing lately,
where we're relearning how to relax
yet resurrecting responsibility
or constant activity
to avoid aimless apathy
from inflicting sensory image.
What's heartening about this book
is how Colin Wright presents Act Accordingly,
as a mantra to survive toward striving within fluxing.
Choosing our path through a blend
of constant philosophies or happenings--
fueling a purpose in process
over instant insatiability.
I admire Colins perspective on rolling with the punches
while guiding rather than concealing
to victories of simply existing
within a balanced mentality
representing authenticity.
Act Accordingly,
is an influentially rad read.
It doesn't zip the forehead
with ideal fabrications
to cover up reality's blemish
but rather rides you through the waves,
with a voice that delivers volume
in genuine grace & guided sustainability
showing how one can achieve aspiration
in ease, responsibility and possibility.
May 12, 2021
Net positive contribution and investing in yourself is not selfish.
June 28, 2013
Act Accordingly is a very simple, short book. If you're looking for elaborate dissertations about the nature of reality and the human condition, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for an easy-to-digest lifestyle philosophy, look no further.
Colin manages to encourage us to look for what is really important in our own lives and to act accordingly. This is just the kind of kick-in-the-pants many of us need. We can all come up with flowery feel-good motivational truisms, but most of us forget to act on them.
That's where 'Act Accordingly' stands out. It cuts to the chase and, without feeling judgmental or accusatory, entices the reader to re-evaluate his/her own values and start acting the way we've always wanted but never dared to act.
Colin manages to encourage us to look for what is really important in our own lives and to act accordingly. This is just the kind of kick-in-the-pants many of us need. We can all come up with flowery feel-good motivational truisms, but most of us forget to act on them.
That's where 'Act Accordingly' stands out. It cuts to the chase and, without feeling judgmental or accusatory, entices the reader to re-evaluate his/her own values and start acting the way we've always wanted but never dared to act.
July 12, 2013
I've enjoyed Colin's blog (exilelifestyle.com), where he dispenses this philosophy in elegantly concise slices. Both his ethic and his aesthetic style - clean, flexible, minimalist - resonate with my taoist instincts.
In essence, this book is a dozen of his blog posts, carefully selected and edited. It's as good as what's on his blog, which I've just praised - so why just three stars? Well... because it's exactly as good as what's already on his blog.
It's an effortless read, so it's worth the investment of a few bucks and an hour of life. But yes, you could also just visit his blog.
Whether you read him in print or online, his writing will push you to clarify and rejigger the links between your principles, desires, and actions.
In essence, this book is a dozen of his blog posts, carefully selected and edited. It's as good as what's on his blog, which I've just praised - so why just three stars? Well... because it's exactly as good as what's already on his blog.
It's an effortless read, so it's worth the investment of a few bucks and an hour of life. But yes, you could also just visit his blog.
Whether you read him in print or online, his writing will push you to clarify and rejigger the links between your principles, desires, and actions.
August 29, 2013
This philosophical book is very short, and you may be hard-pressed to call it a book. But what's a "book" anyway? I can hear Wright challenging us now. And I wouldn't expect anything less from the perpetual nomad, writer, entrepreneur, and self-professed minimalist. The section on the Icelandic word Lífspeki is my favorite and well worth the $2.99. (Lífspeki translates roughly to "the practical philosophy by which one lives their life." This book made me realize that GiveLiveExplore is my Lifspeki.) This book is no longer than it needs to be and is a good introduction to Wright's own Lífspeki.
This was one of my top 21 books of 2013 (so far). The other 20 are listed at GiveLiveExplore.com.
This was one of my top 21 books of 2013 (so far). The other 20 are listed at GiveLiveExplore.com.
March 11, 2020
The book(let) contains 13 essays about how to live your life. They are not new and actually too short to be useful right away. The eye opening process usually happens when you start to recognize the wisdom on your own.
So why should you read the book? For me it was the combination of ideas that form the life philosophy of the author, and especially his openness in offering these to the reader. The advises have practical values and don't come from someone who is sitting in his ivory tower. I am a bit jealous that he has already reached the insights at such a young age. It took me 10+ years to come to similar conclusions but that's life. Everyone has to face his and her own challenges.
So why should you read the book? For me it was the combination of ideas that form the life philosophy of the author, and especially his openness in offering these to the reader. The advises have practical values and don't come from someone who is sitting in his ivory tower. I am a bit jealous that he has already reached the insights at such a young age. It took me 10+ years to come to similar conclusions but that's life. Everyone has to face his and her own challenges.
January 6, 2017
This is the third or forth book I have read by Colin and he continues his excellent standards of writing with Act Accordingly, another short but deep and meaningful piece that encourages you to act accordingly in life. Both this and How To Be Remarkable are the kinds of work that I will find myself picking up from time for a quick read, getting inspiration and drive. You do not have to agree with everything Colin says, but his strong writing and messages are at the very least a refreshing and motivating source. Highly recommended.
July 16, 2013
Another e-booklet I picked up on Amazon (can't help anything short and inspirational and motivational.... And free)
This booklet was neither.
It's a collection of short essays (or blog posts) written by someone who seems fairly young and while that is not a problem in itself, it was just so obvious it bothered me - as it was supposed to inspire all ages. And I am not even that old.
Anyway.... Not thrilled.
But it does have one good point: this is the only life you will ever have to d everythingyou ever wanted to do, act accordingly.
This booklet was neither.
It's a collection of short essays (or blog posts) written by someone who seems fairly young and while that is not a problem in itself, it was just so obvious it bothered me - as it was supposed to inspire all ages. And I am not even that old.
Anyway.... Not thrilled.
But it does have one good point: this is the only life you will ever have to d everythingyou ever wanted to do, act accordingly.
March 24, 2016
Has decent nuggets, but isn't very substantial
The book starts off with this kind of philosophical idea of "acting accordingly" but it doesn't hold throughout the chapters. The book feels too brief to offer any significant insights to reexamine one's life, though it feels like it tries really hard to. There are a few good nuggets to highlight, but beyond that there isn't much to this.
The book starts off with this kind of philosophical idea of "acting accordingly" but it doesn't hold throughout the chapters. The book feels too brief to offer any significant insights to reexamine one's life, though it feels like it tries really hard to. There are a few good nuggets to highlight, but beyond that there isn't much to this.
June 25, 2013
This is a fantastic book that provides the reader with a philosophical framework by which she might like to live her life. The (short) length of this book is no reflection of the content which is powerful but succinct. It is made up of easily digestible sound bites that will motivate the reader to consider the wisdom and act accordingly.
July 2, 2013
The title sums this book up nicely. I came across it by chance, and it resonated with me. I bought it and read it, and don't regret a second of the time I spent on it. What are you going to do with your time?
June 7, 2016
Bunch of platitudes. Nothing concrete. No steps.
It IS philosophy. No more than the author wanting to hear himself 'talk'.
Nothing really of value but truisms that you've learned already in life.
It IS philosophy. No more than the author wanting to hear himself 'talk'.
Nothing really of value but truisms that you've learned already in life.
January 16, 2025
Listened to on Audible at 0.85x speed. Easy listening and enjoyable.
Good message and encourages a person to be self aware (not selfish), to focus on one's being and personal growth; to live a life one would define as fulfilling to oneself - and each individual defines this for him/herself.
Good message and encourages a person to be self aware (not selfish), to focus on one's being and personal growth; to live a life one would define as fulfilling to oneself - and each individual defines this for him/herself.
January 16, 2014
Great book! Clear, inspiring, and written with vigor. It really surprised me.
June 28, 2014
I enjoyed a quick read that makes you think. I even shared a few thoughts with others on it. That's how I know it was a worthwhile read!
November 18, 2014
Short and sweet, that's really all you need.
December 10, 2016
Short not exactly holier than thou but proud definitely mini manifesto.
April 14, 2017
Short. Simple. Insightful.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews