The Systems Mindset: Managing the Machinery of Your Life

by Sam Carpenter

Fix the machinery of your life . . . and serenity and wealth will follow.Starkly compelling in its simplicity, in The Systems Managing the Machinery of Your Life, Sam Carpenter expands on the core inspirational element of his business bestseller, Work the The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less, now in its third edition.Mindset is your path to quickly breaking to making a small tweak in how you see your world and then using that more accurate vision to get what you’ve always wanted from work, relationships, and health.When the systems mindset epiphany strikes, you will instantly see the visible and invisible machinery that determines your existence. With this startling new perception, you’ll see that your world is not a confusing array of sights, sounds, and events and, instead, grasp that it’s a simple and logical collection of systems, systems that can be quickly adjusted to deliver the life results you’ve always wanted.You will never be the same.

Genres: Business, Productivity, Nonfiction, Self Help

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

Reviews

[Sanjin Buzgo · Rating 1 out of 5]

50% OMG when you get it, you'll never be the same!!!!
50% did you get it yet?
0% "It"

[Fernando Suarezserna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the core of this book is useful and the author (a self-made millionaire) is a living proof that his system works, my opinion is that he makes a lousy job at writing, mainly because he doesn't provide practical examples of "the system mindset" he preaches throughout the whole book.

The "mindset" sounds almost as if it were metaphysical, even well into chapter 17 the authors states it will be like an epiphany when it finally hits you, and in the final chapter he even compares it with the movie The Matrix where the hero finally understands how the world really works (I'm not kidding).

What I mean is, usually when authors try to explain new concepts in nonfiction, they follow the structure: (1) Story, (2) Explaining general Idea (linked to the story), (3) one or two practical examples of how to use this concept. This book focuses ONLY in the "explaining the general idea" phase through ALL of its chapters, and the links with the documents (supposedly, with practical examples) you "can find" in the author's website are broken as of this writing. The documents related to his other book on the same topic are about random stuff like a step-by-step process on how to print a 3D plant (yes, a 3D plant) or how to answer a main office line.

I gave the book 3 stars because it actually has some useful insights scattered through the book that are good, but overall, the book feels more like a kind of a compilation of related blog posts than a book.

[Avi-Gil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was greatly anticipating this book after reading Sam Carpenter's first book (Work the System) twice. Work the System is a great read, even for someone with a corporate job rather than a small business owner/entrepreneur. (You can get it for free at Workthesystem.com, just as this one is available at thesystemsmindset.com)

This book never really gets off the ground. Carpenter restates his central principle many times, and it reads like a series of blog posts rather than a book. Each chapter pretty much stands alone, and a lot of them are repetitive. Overall, my recommendation is to read Work the System and skip this one.

[Avishaan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little actual substance. Great idea in theory and one that aligns with my worldview but the practical content was lacking

[Jessica Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book. it was well written and easy to follow along and understand the writer. i have some co-workers that would benefits from reading this book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have listened to a lot of different self-help books over the years and this is very similar to most of the good ones. The author narrated the book and did well with the narration. The author offers advice on how to develop a systems mindset (I'm still kind of confused what this is exactly). I was given the audible version to listen too so maybe this isn't the best method of understanding his systems mindset and I would have found the physical version more enlightening. A lot of what is in this book refers to his other book "Work the System" leading me to gather that everything in your life should be set up similar to a standard operating procedure and when a problem arises, modify or tweak the system until you get it in line with your goals. You can stop the chaos of your life by just making a system. You are encouraged to start with systems for your cluttered house. I think the one thing that stood out for me was that he tells men to just put the toilet seat down and end the fight.

There is a lot of preaching about not using drugs, alcohol or caffeine. I feel like he is against antidepressants because his premise is we suffer from device overload which causes depression and anxiety. Basically live life unaltered and you will be successful.

My understanding is that this is a new edition so I feel as if there are a few things that should have been altered, which in his view point means I'm just thinking outside of the proper mindset. I do have some issues with his recommendation of Birkram Yoga. In this edition it would probably had been wiser to just discuss it as Hot Yoga.

I was given an advance copy of this audiobook by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

[Sam Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I actually had to stop taking notes on the inconsistencies and flawed logic because 1,000 word negative review feels unseemly.. I really don’t like giving low star reviews but in this case it’s fully justified.

I went into this interested and looking for techniques for system building. I was disappointed from 4% onwards.

It’s primarily telling you how in order to succeed you need to tough it out, pull yourself up, be better than everyone else, and do it all without help.

From claiming that pre-1960s people did smoke and drink, but in moderation because they were aware of the risks (you know, the era when medical doctors still endorsed smoking in adverts as “good for your lungs”) to stating that people with any kind of mental health issue are just “convinced their brain cells aren’t active enough” - I was disappointed.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a business organization that offers business skills, hope, and dreams to be used in their ministry.

[Tom Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more accessible than work the system. However I read the later fist so maybe that’s the secret formula to understanding the concept. I now crave more insight into similar ways of thinking from different authors. Surely he’s not the only one? Any leads?

[Sheryl Garratt · Rating 1 out of 5]

A proudly Republican take on systems thinking, with no real information at all except that systems exist, and tending to them solves problems before they occur. This man drug-tests all his employees. So much for freedom, huh?

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good ideas, but his earlier book explains them a lot better.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the question and answer format.

[Kristen Reek · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really had me in the beginning but I felt like I was waiting for something tangible to get out of it and I didn’t get that.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to have read this book " The Systems Mindset",managing the machinery of your life by Sam Carpenter which i won on goodreads first reads for an honest review.
I found so many wonderful things about this book that i just cant put them all here.the most important aspect of this book is the understanding of what and how to learn to manage the controllable parts of ones life.
I would have like it if the author made this book more into a workbook an had more questions for the reader.there are more questions to ask of yourself while reading this book that it would have made it better into a workbook format.I cant wait to read this one again.
If you like to motivate yourself to be a better person and gain knowledge then this book is for you...

[Tikri /Letitia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received the paperback version as a Goodreads Giveaway, also downloaded the eBook at http://www.thesystemsmindset.com
Refreshingly optimistic. I liked it and will utilize the principles. 'The Systems Mindset' espouses the adoption of a functionally deterministic “outside and slightly elevated” viewpoint of your world. Sam Carpenter calls this “getting it.”
It’s simple, analyze the systems in your life. Action #1 leads to #2, #3,,, to outcome N. Then refine the processes to make them efficiently produce desired outcomes. Read the book.

[Daniil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and sit down with a man who has lived his life. Pick up some wisdom as he tells you what he knows, and move on to bigger and better things. This book is well-written, with short chapters that don't meander like most books of this genre. Short and to the point, this book covers the basics of using procedural thinking in everyday life.

[Margot Borden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, practical, no nonsense, pragmatic approach to demystifying or taking the emotion out of and taking charge of the systems in our lives. It goes a little too far in some places becoming more reductionistic/mechanistic in terms of ethics and our connectedness at a universal level.

[Ton Boelens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it is not as inspiring as it could be. Nevertheless, I do not regret reading this book.

[Ja Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think is a subjective perspective of the world we live. It has some quotes you can reflex about it and try to put it on march at your daily life.

[Pam Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this an interesting book on adapting a mechanical approach to life and viewing the world not in rose tinted glasses but by using the physics of life.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just seems like one long ramble. Very few actionable points. God is mentioned far too much. Avoid this one and read his other book

[Szymon Szott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit too abstract but I'll be rereading this one again, definitely!