Embracing Your Limitations

by Lawrence Mooney

Many self-help books don't work, but this one will

Step one is identifying your limitations. It's not easy because you've been lying to yourself and others about what you're capable of for a long, long time. Most of us have begun to believe the lies ...

Lawrence Mooney is a reformed self-help addict. He's read all those books so you don't have to. He's searched for the ever-moving cheese, lived with the power of now and has given subtlety a red-hot go. Now he's taking aim at these self-appointed, self-aggrandising self-help gurus who have failed him in his quest for enlightenment and happiness.

Embracing Your Limitations shows you how it's only through stopping and quitting that you can succeed and be happy. We've been told to reach for the stars, to think big and to follow our dreams since we were children. What a crock! Most of you don't have the talent, intelligence or the wherewithal to come close to your dreams, so stop torturing yourself. The finish line is the same for everybody: death. So, why waste life rushing towards it? Instead, start Embracing Your Limitations, forgetting your dreams, and actually living your life.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2022

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Now I must admit I pretty much read anything that lands in my TBR pile.
A self help parody by comedian Lawrence Mooney was my most recent selection. Embracing your limitations the main essence of the many topics raised.
Now I’m not really into the self help styled books per say but this did grab my attention.
Covering so many aspects of life, many so relatable to fellow Aussies growing up in the 70s and 80s it provided a few laughs and many reminisces.
Eating grapes at the supermarket was such common place when they were once displayed loose and nobody considered it theft.
With covid and excess plastic nobody would dream of doing this now.
Covering funny memories from his youth, married life and career was abundant but special memories of his late mother resonated strongly for me.
Realising these memories will not be frozen in time.
Lighthearted and nostalgic at times, making it a great gift for an older loved one.
At times I was a little impatient with some of chapters and some of the humour did go over my head.
Overall I did enjoy this read.

[David McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun satirical poke at the self-help industry. ironically, this book offers the occasional wisdom nugget. but that's kinda the point. nobody really knows what the hell is going on, we're all just winging it. don't make unrealistic goals for yourself, it will just make you feel like shit when you don't reach them. just chill out for a bit, be kind to one another, and appreciate what you have.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Categorised as humour and giving the appearance of mocking the self-help genre, I actually think it should be categorised as self-help/motivation. And probably the only book in this genre you need to read !!

Not sure what that opinion says about me. I also don’t care what that opinion says about me 😊

On a serious note, without calling it “Embracing Your Limitations”, I realise that this is what I have essentially done over the last 10 years or so, and my better half tells me I am the most content person she knows. So maybe there is something in this philosophy.

[Moz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book via Libby.

I love the idea of someone taking the piss out of self help industry and Mooney does this quite well. In addition to the writing, he turned it into a one-man comedy routine by reading the book himself. And this was pretty successful too. It would not have sounded as good read by anyone else. This was mainly because many of the chapters refer to personal experience.

It was a funny book. Well, it would have to be, wouldn't it? But... and I know I'm showing my age here... I thought the swearing and vulgarity was a tad overdone. To me, inserting a swear word in the right place can have a stunning effect. But when it is spread throughout the book as thick as custard, like a flood overlay in a river basin, it loses it's charm. The same goes for some of the vulagarity. I may be old fashioned but I think some things should be kept private but there was definitely no hiding under the covers for Lawrence in this book.

That said, I did enjoy the general narrative. Some of the personal anecdotes were funny and/or sad and even though it was a parody on motivational books and speakers, there was also some very good advice in relation to personal development.

I would say this book offers something for everyone, especially those of an age where f**k and c**t are words which are liberally sprinkled throughout their speech.

[Just Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This book has been a comic parody of the endless self-help bullshit preached at you by morons." - Lawrence Mooney

Some parts were funny & entertaining. Some was filler bs. It filled in time, but it wasn't a complete waste of time.

I liked that Lawrence shared his failures and didn't sugar coat his thoughts or experiences. I like that I'm boring and haven't experienced all the things Lawrence has. It's one of my limitations I'm embracing.

With other books like this that use humour, profanity and the more direct, call you out on what's not working rather than try and bolster you up with feel good fluff, this won't be a book for everyone. But most self-help books aren't. That's one of the reasons there are so many - different people have different approaches and these will appeal to different audiences. Some are just cash grabs, some are sales funnels, some are genuine passionate labours of love... read the ones you want.

[Sabrina]

Much like his comedy, Moonman’s debut book is whip-smart, funny, and filled with snatches of surprisingly wholesome anecdotes and stories. While Mooney’s book takes the mickey out of the self-help genre, it cannot help but dip into the genre that it parodies, and is made better for it. The interesting lessons that EYL leave the reader with are not only more useful than any in real self-help books, they are actually down to earth and self aware!
A great, fun read, and a great debut from one of Australian comedy’s best!

[rjjmh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence Mooney’s comedic genius and sheer fearlessness, so apparent in his stand up comedy is even more in evidence in this brilliant book. Wise, outrageous, and absolutely hilarious - it is part parody but mostly, a series of very, very erudite and profound essays about acceptance and self compassion. A fantastic read.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and telling; a great parody of self-help books that manages to throw in some serious self-help advice while doing it. This book suffers from serious digression and the mental wanderings needed to be reined in a little. It's all good though - it makes the "serious" self-help guides look like they're trying to sell you something, which they are.

[Tyson Priddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pisstake on self-help books from the comedic genius and troubled man himself the Moonman. Ironically provides some great advice on just getting on with it.

It will make people on the train wonder what the fuck you are reading whilst you laugh out loud. Looking forward to the sequel.

[Mark Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and actually thought provoking. Read in one session.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful! A blend of actual good advice, humour, snark and personal vignette to reflect insight into the man himself.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mooney is just as unfunny in text as he was on the radio, and ten times as miserable.

[Otis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute trash

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I thought life advice from a self-proclaimed unfit looser would be helpful 🤔

[Karen Cocks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Liked the simplicity / concept but didn’t like the approach. Not for me I am afraid.