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Think Straight: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
I know something about you without knowing you. I bet you spend A LOT of time in your head. You know, thinking, worrying, stressing, freaking out — call it whatever you want. I call it a preoccupied mind. And with what?
99% of your thoughts are useless. William James, once the leading psychologist in America, and one of the founders of the philosophical school of pragmatism, put it best:
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
Pragmatism believes that the mind is a tool. Your mind should work for you, not against you. People who don’t master their mind, don’t believe it’s possible.
They say: “I can’t help but thinking these things.”
Well, you can TAKE CONTROL of your mind with enough practice. I’ve done it. And in THINK STRAIGHT, I share exactly how. It’s a quick read and you can use it to immediately to improve your thinking.
You have the ability to decide what you think. Or, you can choose NOT to think.
And that is one of the most important and most practical things you can learn in life. Before I learned that skill, I would spend hours and hours inside my head.
Just think about how much you think.
“I wonder what my boss thinks?”
“What happens if I screw up and lose my job?”
“What if my business never takes off?”
“Does she love me?”
“Why does my life suck?”
"What if I get cancer?”
“I can’t finish anything. What’s wrong with me?”
And the list goes on.
THINK STRAIGHT reveals the recipe for taking control of your mind so you can improve your life, career, relationships, business.
I wrote this little book in a way that you can read it more than once. And I hope that this book serves as an anchor to you—especially during trying times.
The mind is the most powerful tool on earth. Change the way you think. And you’ll change your life.
99% of your thoughts are useless. William James, once the leading psychologist in America, and one of the founders of the philosophical school of pragmatism, put it best:
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
Pragmatism believes that the mind is a tool. Your mind should work for you, not against you. People who don’t master their mind, don’t believe it’s possible.
They say: “I can’t help but thinking these things.”
Well, you can TAKE CONTROL of your mind with enough practice. I’ve done it. And in THINK STRAIGHT, I share exactly how. It’s a quick read and you can use it to immediately to improve your thinking.
You have the ability to decide what you think. Or, you can choose NOT to think.
And that is one of the most important and most practical things you can learn in life. Before I learned that skill, I would spend hours and hours inside my head.
Just think about how much you think.
“I wonder what my boss thinks?”
“What happens if I screw up and lose my job?”
“What if my business never takes off?”
“Does she love me?”
“Why does my life suck?”
"What if I get cancer?”
“I can’t finish anything. What’s wrong with me?”
And the list goes on.
THINK STRAIGHT reveals the recipe for taking control of your mind so you can improve your life, career, relationships, business.
I wrote this little book in a way that you can read it more than once. And I hope that this book serves as an anchor to you—especially during trying times.
The mind is the most powerful tool on earth. Change the way you think. And you’ll change your life.
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
5267 people are currently reading
21454 people want to read
About the author
Darius Foroux
18 books617 followersDarius Foroux (pronounced as Da-reeus Fo-roo) is the author of 7 books, and the creator of 6 online courses.
He writes about productivity, business, and wealth building. His ideas and work have been featured in TIME, NBC, Fast Company, Inc., Observer, and many more publications. Until now, more than 30 million people have read his articles.
He writes about productivity, business, and wealth building. His ideas and work have been featured in TIME, NBC, Fast Company, Inc., Observer, and many more publications. Until now, more than 30 million people have read his articles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,161 reviews
April 12, 2018
this would make a great blog post or podcast, but not all bloggers and podcasters have enough material for writing actual books. there isn't enough new information here to make it worth it. it sounds more like stray notes for a book that were shuffled together and printed. it's only 80 pages with a lot of blank space after every 'chapter'. they're more like vignettes, since they're only a couple of pages each. it doesn't go into detail about anything, just seems to ramble on and then stop and head into a completely different topic.
a lot of it is just autobiographical anecdotes or assumptions, like: after reading a lot of books, you have a "mental breakdown" and that's what makes you give up. he may have been talking about burn-out. it's confusing and lacks explanation for weird-ass theories. for example, and i'm paraphrasing page 59 here: "you don't need meditation, just let go of everything and go inside your mind and relax. if you don't know how, practice." - i'm pretty sure that's the definition of meditation. besides, a few pages later... there's a chapter explaining how to meditate XD i'm serious p. 79
there are a LOT of one-liner quotations and they are all formatted: "like so and so famously said:" or "as so and so put it:" and then their quote (which we've all heard a thousand times).
there's also weird grammar every now and then, like:
"i'll prove them!"
"let loose of your thoughts"
"use it or leave it"
"the devil is in the detail"
"don't play favors"
"you'll never going to use (...)"
i find it hard to take seriously any book that keeps telling me to google something or has a link mid-sentence to someone's website.
other pearls:
a pros and cons list of being in a relationship. each list has only 1 item on it.
a half-page long graphic explaining how to 'think outside the box'
"avoid making decisions based on beliefs, obvious logic, and even science" p. 40
and by the way, 'Predictably Irrational' was Dan Ariely's book, not 'predictable irrationality' :P can't even get the title of a famous book spelled properly, seriously.
like NBC's 'A.P. Bio' famously said: "Start shutting up now."
a lot of it is just autobiographical anecdotes or assumptions, like: after reading a lot of books, you have a "mental breakdown" and that's what makes you give up. he may have been talking about burn-out. it's confusing and lacks explanation for weird-ass theories. for example, and i'm paraphrasing page 59 here: "you don't need meditation, just let go of everything and go inside your mind and relax. if you don't know how, practice." - i'm pretty sure that's the definition of meditation. besides, a few pages later... there's a chapter explaining how to meditate XD i'm serious p. 79
there are a LOT of one-liner quotations and they are all formatted: "like so and so famously said:" or "as so and so put it:" and then their quote (which we've all heard a thousand times).
there's also weird grammar every now and then, like:
"i'll prove them!"
"let loose of your thoughts"
"use it or leave it"
"the devil is in the detail"
"don't play favors"
"you'll never going to use (...)"
i find it hard to take seriously any book that keeps telling me to google something or has a link mid-sentence to someone's website.
other pearls:
a pros and cons list of being in a relationship. each list has only 1 item on it.
a half-page long graphic explaining how to 'think outside the box'
"avoid making decisions based on beliefs, obvious logic, and even science" p. 40
and by the way, 'Predictably Irrational' was Dan Ariely's book, not 'predictable irrationality' :P can't even get the title of a famous book spelled properly, seriously.
like NBC's 'A.P. Bio' famously said: "Start shutting up now."
December 30, 2018
I picked up this book because I was looking for an instant motivation. A ready-to-lift-your-mood sorts. The brief was compelling and I headed right into it.
Turns out that this book is more like a self-help refresher-it has points picked up from the best of the motivational reads and compiled all together, in short chapters that you can literally breeze through in an hour's time. The author sets out on a quest to compel you why controlling your thoughts is important, and does that rightly so. The book hardly has any novel idea, and the good part is the author is pretty clear about that from the start. The other good thing about it is that it is precise, and does not harp on the concepts that have been repeatedly talked about across the self help world.
So if you are looking for a ready to motivate sort of book that gives you instant results, this is the book you should pick. Just keep your hot water (mind) ready (open). :)
Turns out that this book is more like a self-help refresher-it has points picked up from the best of the motivational reads and compiled all together, in short chapters that you can literally breeze through in an hour's time. The author sets out on a quest to compel you why controlling your thoughts is important, and does that rightly so. The book hardly has any novel idea, and the good part is the author is pretty clear about that from the start. The other good thing about it is that it is precise, and does not harp on the concepts that have been repeatedly talked about across the self help world.
So if you are looking for a ready to motivate sort of book that gives you instant results, this is the book you should pick. Just keep your hot water (mind) ready (open). :)
January 4, 2022
"Think straight" is a book about pragmatic thinking. We usually tend to overthink in certain situations, when we try to make decisions. And Sometimes, we don't get into the details before coming up with conclusions. Either way, we might mess up.
Our brain is a powerful tool. We need to use the tool wisely for proper functioning i.e., for useful thoughts, which leads to our actions and eventually our life.
Like Steve Jobs said, “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
This is my best take away from this book. To connect the dots( applying the knowledge), we need to form the dots in the first place ( get the knowledge) which comes through learning. Important!
There are many pragmatic approaches towards better thinking explained in the book like, how to filter useful thoughts and how to reflect on your own thoughts.
Never forget the phrase,"Cogito ergo sum", meaning , " I think, therefore I am".
Best part about this book is, it is a very light read and there is no beating around the Bush. All points are conveyed in crisp and clear manner.
Our brain is a powerful tool. We need to use the tool wisely for proper functioning i.e., for useful thoughts, which leads to our actions and eventually our life.
Like Steve Jobs said, “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
This is my best take away from this book. To connect the dots( applying the knowledge), we need to form the dots in the first place ( get the knowledge) which comes through learning. Important!
There are many pragmatic approaches towards better thinking explained in the book like, how to filter useful thoughts and how to reflect on your own thoughts.
Never forget the phrase,"Cogito ergo sum", meaning , " I think, therefore I am".
Best part about this book is, it is a very light read and there is no beating around the Bush. All points are conveyed in crisp and clear manner.
April 22, 2024
If you happen to pick up this book thinking about the title, then please do. It does reflect the title.
Otherwise if you want to pick a good, short self-help book, also you can choose this book.
This short book focuses on how we think affects different aspects of our life. Love the writing, the examples are awesome.
You will not feel you are wasting your time reading this book.
Otherwise if you want to pick a good, short self-help book, also you can choose this book.
This short book focuses on how we think affects different aspects of our life. Love the writing, the examples are awesome.
You will not feel you are wasting your time reading this book.
April 20, 2019
I usually don't pick these Gyaan books for some obvious reasons. This books was surprisingly great and I am glad I read it. Its medium length, practical, direct and honest. Read it when you really are controlled by your thoughts. This was such an experience to me.
March 9, 2020
This and other reviews available at Feminist Quill
If I were to take this book's advice, I wouldn't be writing this review right now. As if it weren't bad enough that I used up so much precious time reading this book, I'm still wasting my thoughts on it.
It's a good thing this book is on Kindle Unlimited, because expecting people to pay for may be going a step too far. Not only does it have nothing original to contribute, but it also contradicts itself constantly, and is based largely off of personal anecdotes and experiences that are then converted into generalizations.
Bad. Generalizations.
In one instance, the author talks about how he was once in the process of shifting houses when the new landlady backed out at the last moment, sending him into a frenzy. He was going to be homeless! He'd have to live out of his SUV! But then he started "thinking straight" and booked an AirBnB for a week, by which time the landlady had changed her mind again, and rented the place out to him after all.
He concludes that "all my stressing, worrying , and thinking" had been "especially useless." As if the problem is erased once it has been solved. It is, he would have you believe, as if it had never existed.
Also, what if you didn't have the money for an AirBnB?
This point pops up again when he's talking about how 'thinking about money' is impractical and useless... as long as "you have enough money to survive for six months."
The people who don't have that much money don't deserve the luxury of "straight thinking." #sorrynotsorry
At one point, he says that you should take time to think through even 'quick decisions.' Much later, he says Action >> Thinking. The author also states at one point that he took 15 months to write this book (How??!) and I can only assume that by the time he was writing the end of the book, he'd forgotten the things he'd said in the beginning. We've all been there - sometimes it's annoying and exhausting to have to read what you wrote months ago. So just be 'pragmatic', and don't.
Another amazing paragraph is as follows:
HOW?
WHAT?
WHY?
Who-- Who even uses email like this? The first letter of a name? Not even the first name of a person? I imagine this guy sending emails out by mistake and then just laughing it off and sending it again and still getting it wrong and then sending it again...
"I trust the computer--"
Buddy, don't blame the computer. This is on you.
Also the tense is completely off on this page, because after describing in unnecessary detail how this terrible emailing habit (which is totally giving me anxiety btw) blew up in his face, he talks about how it was an unjustifiable mistake he learned from.
From the first paragraph, I was completely under the impression that he still does this.
The whole book reads like filler. Sadly, that's about the sum and substance of the self-help genre these days.
If I were to take this book's advice, I wouldn't be writing this review right now. As if it weren't bad enough that I used up so much precious time reading this book, I'm still wasting my thoughts on it.
It's a good thing this book is on Kindle Unlimited, because expecting people to pay for may be going a step too far. Not only does it have nothing original to contribute, but it also contradicts itself constantly, and is based largely off of personal anecdotes and experiences that are then converted into generalizations.
Bad. Generalizations.
In one instance, the author talks about how he was once in the process of shifting houses when the new landlady backed out at the last moment, sending him into a frenzy. He was going to be homeless! He'd have to live out of his SUV! But then he started "thinking straight" and booked an AirBnB for a week, by which time the landlady had changed her mind again, and rented the place out to him after all.
He concludes that "all my stressing, worrying , and thinking" had been "especially useless." As if the problem is erased once it has been solved. It is, he would have you believe, as if it had never existed.
Also, what if you didn't have the money for an AirBnB?
This point pops up again when he's talking about how 'thinking about money' is impractical and useless... as long as "you have enough money to survive for six months."
The people who don't have that much money don't deserve the luxury of "straight thinking." #sorrynotsorry
At one point, he says that you should take time to think through even 'quick decisions.' Much later, he says Action >> Thinking. The author also states at one point that he took 15 months to write this book (How??!) and I can only assume that by the time he was writing the end of the book, he'd forgotten the things he'd said in the beginning. We've all been there - sometimes it's annoying and exhausting to have to read what you wrote months ago. So just be 'pragmatic', and don't.
Another amazing paragraph is as follows:
I'm a fool with sending emails. Especially when it comes to selecting the recipient. I always type the first letter of a name and hit enter. I trust the computer and never check whether the address I've selected is actually the person I want to mail. I'm lazy. Often, it doesn't matter, and I get funny responses back from people.
HOW?
WHAT?
WHY?
Who-- Who even uses email like this? The first letter of a name? Not even the first name of a person? I imagine this guy sending emails out by mistake and then just laughing it off and sending it again and still getting it wrong and then sending it again...
"I trust the computer--"
Buddy, don't blame the computer. This is on you.
Also the tense is completely off on this page, because after describing in unnecessary detail how this terrible emailing habit (which is totally giving me anxiety btw) blew up in his face, he talks about how it was an unjustifiable mistake he learned from.
From the first paragraph, I was completely under the impression that he still does this.
The whole book reads like filler. Sadly, that's about the sum and substance of the self-help genre these days.
January 5, 2022
It’s a nice book. Easy to read, but I don’t think it gets to the point. It’s a bit confusing actually...
February 4, 2024
“Thinking is a double-edged sword. It can help you. But it can also destroy you. The outcome depends on how you use your thoughts. Your mind is an instrument—nothing more, nothing less.”
Reading this book multiple times is advisable for its content to become practical. Personally, I haven't felt inclined to apply what the book discusses after reading it once (it’s on me; the author has already cautioned that 'this book only works if you’re open-minded,' and perhaps currently, I’m not in that mindset). Regarding content, the book is engaging and filled with lots of good quotes.
Reading this book multiple times is advisable for its content to become practical. Personally, I haven't felt inclined to apply what the book discusses after reading it once (it’s on me; the author has already cautioned that 'this book only works if you’re open-minded,' and perhaps currently, I’m not in that mindset). Regarding content, the book is engaging and filled with lots of good quotes.
December 7, 2022
Simple insights reiterated. Some key points :
1. The thoughts are just "there." Nothing we can change about that. But since we have free will, we can decide which thoughts we focus on. Hence, we can influence the direction of consciousness.
2. Who says that familiarity is always a good thing? It is good for certainty. But to achieve a breakthrough, you need something different.
3. Ask self. "Will the outcome of a decision change the way I live?" If you ask that yourself consistently, you'll find that you automatically filter out useless information and only make decisions that have an actual impact on the outcome of your life.
4. Training your mind happens in stages- and before you can move on to the next phase of your learning development, you have to get through a wall.
Both learning skills and developing yourself happen in stages. At the beginning of a new stage, things are easy to learn because everything is new. But the closer you get to the end of a stage, things get more difficult.
5. When you're in a relationship with someone who has different values, it's a zero-sum game. One person always loses something.
6. Remember: Money is a replaceable resource. When you're out of it, you can earn it back. You can't say the same for time. Don't spend too much time thinking about money.
7. At the end of the day, this is your life and the only way you can live with yourself is to follow your strongest desires.
8. If we live our lives every day with that idea in mind--that we should strive for doing/ creating useful things that matter to others--we end up spending our time on things that actually make a difference.
1. The thoughts are just "there." Nothing we can change about that. But since we have free will, we can decide which thoughts we focus on. Hence, we can influence the direction of consciousness.
2. Who says that familiarity is always a good thing? It is good for certainty. But to achieve a breakthrough, you need something different.
3. Ask self. "Will the outcome of a decision change the way I live?" If you ask that yourself consistently, you'll find that you automatically filter out useless information and only make decisions that have an actual impact on the outcome of your life.
4. Training your mind happens in stages- and before you can move on to the next phase of your learning development, you have to get through a wall.
Both learning skills and developing yourself happen in stages. At the beginning of a new stage, things are easy to learn because everything is new. But the closer you get to the end of a stage, things get more difficult.
5. When you're in a relationship with someone who has different values, it's a zero-sum game. One person always loses something.
6. Remember: Money is a replaceable resource. When you're out of it, you can earn it back. You can't say the same for time. Don't spend too much time thinking about money.
7. At the end of the day, this is your life and the only way you can live with yourself is to follow your strongest desires.
8. If we live our lives every day with that idea in mind--that we should strive for doing/ creating useful things that matter to others--we end up spending our time on things that actually make a difference.
September 27, 2022
This is a very simple, concise and straight forward book that tells you ways to get better in an easy-to-understand, to-the-point manner.
It primarily deals with some principles of pragmatism, how to think straight, come out of a chaotic mindset and work towards life.
The author seems like a staunch pro-pragmatist and puts his points across clearly. I did not agree with everything that the author says in the book, however, there are more things that make sense than not.
This is definitely a book that can be read multiple times to have different perspectives. The concepts were common, yet important enough to be written as a book.
Think Straight is a quick read self help, that everyone can just pick up and read. I found myself annotating and underlining many things, which is why I rate this book a whopping 4 stars! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
It primarily deals with some principles of pragmatism, how to think straight, come out of a chaotic mindset and work towards life.
The author seems like a staunch pro-pragmatist and puts his points across clearly. I did not agree with everything that the author says in the book, however, there are more things that make sense than not.
This is definitely a book that can be read multiple times to have different perspectives. The concepts were common, yet important enough to be written as a book.
Think Straight is a quick read self help, that everyone can just pick up and read. I found myself annotating and underlining many things, which is why I rate this book a whopping 4 stars! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
May 27, 2018
This is a blog version of Pragmatism, the thought movement (hard to call it philosophy because it argues against philosophising) started by William James and Charles Peirce.
Centred around the moniker 'true is what works', Foroux elucidates that behavioural scientists tend to give a 'why' for our cognitive biases so he attempts to discuss a 'how' framework to filter our thoughts because it's the thoughts that leads to actions.
There is nothing life changing in the insight he offers. It is all very 'pragmatic', but worth a read as he hammers home the good 'ol wisdom of how to organise your thoughts by shifting your focus from what you cannot control to what you can. It's barely a 2 hour read, making it ideal for those that generally struggle in building a reading habit.
Centred around the moniker 'true is what works', Foroux elucidates that behavioural scientists tend to give a 'why' for our cognitive biases so he attempts to discuss a 'how' framework to filter our thoughts because it's the thoughts that leads to actions.
There is nothing life changing in the insight he offers. It is all very 'pragmatic', but worth a read as he hammers home the good 'ol wisdom of how to organise your thoughts by shifting your focus from what you cannot control to what you can. It's barely a 2 hour read, making it ideal for those that generally struggle in building a reading habit.
June 24, 2018
I think I read it in one hour and like the author himself says in this book, it needs to be read again.
The concept discussed in this book is impressive and I definitely want to dig deeper into it and use it to my advantage.
The concept discussed in this book is impressive and I definitely want to dig deeper into it and use it to my advantage.
December 7, 2019
Not very impressed with the content
I cherish reading compelling non fiction, especially around psychology and human behavior. And I loved the way this book started. It seemed for a while that author was building upon a theory, But somewhere about middle it started devolving into multitude of loosley connected topics. I'm fine with author expressing his experiences and opinions but what was missing was a common thread tying all of them together. Not a satisfactory read.
I cherish reading compelling non fiction, especially around psychology and human behavior. And I loved the way this book started. It seemed for a while that author was building upon a theory, But somewhere about middle it started devolving into multitude of loosley connected topics. I'm fine with author expressing his experiences and opinions but what was missing was a common thread tying all of them together. Not a satisfactory read.
October 24, 2023
Şəxsi inkişaf kitablarını oxumağı elə də sevməsəm də, son 1 ildə kəşf etdim ki, ingilis dilində bu kitabları oxumaq elə də pis deyil, ən azı səhifəsi çox olmayıb, adı "The power of...." ilə başlamayanları. Kitab praqmatiklik və bunun düşüncələrimizə təsiri haqqındadır. Ümumilikdə, pis deyildi, oxuduqdan sonra qərar verdim ki, mən də düşüncələrimi bir qədər səliqəyə salacam.
February 17, 2018
Straightforward and practical, this book doesn't offer any new insights. The author's personal experiences, however, made it a good enough read for me. A one time read!
February 16, 2022
wouldn't have read if it's not available for free with prime.. nothing straight nor thought provoking
April 7, 2023
"Whatever you do, never waste your thoughts on other people’s ill-informed opinions and guesses."
August 12, 2023
Good motivational advice presented in a very easy to understand manner
Think Straight offers great advice on mindfulness, the thoughts in the mind, how to make sense of it and improving life, career,relationships and the business because of it.
The author has cited plenty of examples both from his life, his relatives and people known to him, to present the actual working of his ideas in real life.
Finished reading the book in a single go. Very good motivational book, practical and inspiring too.
Think Straight offers great advice on mindfulness, the thoughts in the mind, how to make sense of it and improving life, career,relationships and the business because of it.
The author has cited plenty of examples both from his life, his relatives and people known to him, to present the actual working of his ideas in real life.
Finished reading the book in a single go. Very good motivational book, practical and inspiring too.
March 25, 2021
Nice short one. Actually learning something from it not just reading it. Somethings needs an updates or further information but nevertheless good read !
Read
May 16, 2022مُربك..
May 13, 2020
Amazingly quick read. No complex theories or practices.
Simple and straight.
Simple and straight.
May 8, 2024
Meh. Struggled to finish, almost dropped but I wanna complete Goodreads challenge and I need to return this book to my friend before she leaves. I'm glad this book is helping others but it's definitely not for me
Also this doesn't deserve to be a book bcs wtaf is up w the structure and the wording like???? Brother you're not an author yet pls accept that. Stick to podcasts or posts. If you want to write a book seek help from people who know writing. Learn how to write. How this got past the publisher is beyond me
Also this doesn't deserve to be a book bcs wtaf is up w the structure and the wording like???? Brother you're not an author yet pls accept that. Stick to podcasts or posts. If you want to write a book seek help from people who know writing. Learn how to write. How this got past the publisher is beyond me
October 29, 2023
This book was an easy read with short chapters and practical examples. Really concise and well written, with short but good philosophical examples that were easy to understand and enjoyable at the same time.
“If we live our lives every day with that idea in mind—that we should strive for doing/ creating useful things that matter to others—we end up spending our time on things that actually make a difference. When you do that, life automatically has meaning—to everyone.”
“And to live a good life, you don’t need endless study of philosophy. Instead, we must act!”
That’s why I’ve kept this review short :) but I still hope this makes u act, and read this book. Nothing should stop you!
“If we live our lives every day with that idea in mind—that we should strive for doing/ creating useful things that matter to others—we end up spending our time on things that actually make a difference. When you do that, life automatically has meaning—to everyone.”
“And to live a good life, you don’t need endless study of philosophy. Instead, we must act!”
That’s why I’ve kept this review short :) but I still hope this makes u act, and read this book. Nothing should stop you!
December 31, 2021
This book is about the philosophy of pragmatism and how you can think straight and have a meaningful positive impact in your life.
The author also references other ideas from the stoics, for example.
The information density was not that high - for me, but it is a concise summary.
I can recommend this book to people who want to read their first philosophy book.
The author also references other ideas from the stoics, for example.
The information density was not that high - for me, but it is a concise summary.
I can recommend this book to people who want to read their first philosophy book.
July 8, 2019
This book came up as a recommendation on my Kindle and I am regretting my decision to pick it up. It is just a mish-mash.
This whole episode confirms to me that AI and ML still have a long way to go before it achieves considerable usefulness.
This whole episode confirms to me that AI and ML still have a long way to go before it achieves considerable usefulness.
August 4, 2023
Hackneyed advice masquerading as profound wisdom.
P.S. Some books should be only short tweet-threads.
P.S. Some books should be only short tweet-threads.
January 21, 2019
There are so many life coach around but few have talent of making things simple enough for any naive reader to get deep points of philosophy.
.
.
You tend to see new cover and same old concepts presented in a new way, frequently garnished with famous quotes and frequent repetition.
.
Power of this work is its simplicity.
No hi fi quotes or jargon or research or big scientists in it.
Just sit down one evening with some caffeine, for few useful insights.
.
.Book is fast, practical and upto the point and tries to cover many aspects of modern life.
.
But I regret saying it, books lacks originality.
As author himself says he has learned things especially about pragmatism and he is sharing them in concise manner.
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It has ideas from buddhism, kahneman, steve jobs, cognitive bias, robin sharma and many many other self help ideas.
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It is like putting all wisdoms in a mixture grinder and producing a nice shake as a result.
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You will find few familiar things amobgst many new and useful information.
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Overall a decent self help book.
Not necessarily original. But can be helpful.
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You tend to see new cover and same old concepts presented in a new way, frequently garnished with famous quotes and frequent repetition.
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Power of this work is its simplicity.
No hi fi quotes or jargon or research or big scientists in it.
Just sit down one evening with some caffeine, for few useful insights.
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.Book is fast, practical and upto the point and tries to cover many aspects of modern life.
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But I regret saying it, books lacks originality.
As author himself says he has learned things especially about pragmatism and he is sharing them in concise manner.
.
It has ideas from buddhism, kahneman, steve jobs, cognitive bias, robin sharma and many many other self help ideas.
.
It is like putting all wisdoms in a mixture grinder and producing a nice shake as a result.
.
You will find few familiar things amobgst many new and useful information.
.
Overall a decent self help book.
Not necessarily original. But can be helpful.
February 4, 2024
Self-help books face the tough challenge of essentially being a very long persuasive essay. You have to convince the reader that what you are saying is important and useful, while also providing new information that hadn't occurred to the reader before. Most people who reach for self-help books already spend plenty of time on self-reflection, so offering new information can be difficult.
This book is a simplified version of the philosophy of pragmatism. I liked the diagrams because it helps clarify what the writer is saying and helps solidify concepts. But overall, I found the book rather surface level. It did not offer new information that anyone beyond the age of 18 had not already thought about.
Overall, this is an okay read. It serves as a reminder for us to be aware of our thoughts and to make conscious decisions rather than being slaves to our minds.
This book is a simplified version of the philosophy of pragmatism. I liked the diagrams because it helps clarify what the writer is saying and helps solidify concepts. But overall, I found the book rather surface level. It did not offer new information that anyone beyond the age of 18 had not already thought about.
Overall, this is an okay read. It serves as a reminder for us to be aware of our thoughts and to make conscious decisions rather than being slaves to our minds.
June 14, 2024
Super quick read. About 100 pages of motivation to stop overthinking, train your mind to focus on what is useful, and start doing/take action.
I was looking for an easy way to dip my toes into the self help genre as a break from my usual fantasy obsession, and that’s exactly what I got from this.
It doesn’t dig deep, but that isn’t necessarily a negative as I wasn’t looking to read anything too heavy or that would require deep introspection. It also didn’t feel arrogant or showy which I appreciated.
And even though it wasn’t really hitting any emotional buttons for me, I didn’t feel like it was superficial either (which has been my issue with other self help books), you could tell he really believes in his words and the ideas he’s writing about.
If you’re looking for something that will give you a little motivational push that you can read in one sitting then this is for you!
3.5 ⭐️
I was looking for an easy way to dip my toes into the self help genre as a break from my usual fantasy obsession, and that’s exactly what I got from this.
It doesn’t dig deep, but that isn’t necessarily a negative as I wasn’t looking to read anything too heavy or that would require deep introspection. It also didn’t feel arrogant or showy which I appreciated.
And even though it wasn’t really hitting any emotional buttons for me, I didn’t feel like it was superficial either (which has been my issue with other self help books), you could tell he really believes in his words and the ideas he’s writing about.
If you’re looking for something that will give you a little motivational push that you can read in one sitting then this is for you!
3.5 ⭐️
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