Tag: personal development

Thinking Fast and Slow

Thinking, Fast and Slow Book Cover Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Business & Economics
Macmillan
October 25, 2011
499

I'm not going to sugar coat it. This book was a G.R.I.N.D. No joke. This is not for the faint of heart. BUT! It is a great book. The author is a Nobel Prize winning economist. Right. I know. Kahneman describes how are brain processes information and makes decisions. System 1 is the fast-twitch response. System 2 is the deep thought response. System 1 IS A LIAR! System 2 is not much better. But it is trying. Ultimately, Kahneman is trying to get you to think about how you think. Slow down. Give System 2 a chance. It took me MONTHS to get through this book. It requires you to read, let it sink in, put the book down, go take a walk, get a good night's sleep and then pick it up again the next day.

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Own the Day

Own the Day, Own Your Life Book Cover Own the Day, Own Your Life
Aubrey Marcus
Self-Help
Harper Wave
April 17, 2018
448

Aubrey Marcus owns Onnit. I learned about Aubrey and Onnit via the Joe Rogan podcast. Marcus presents a solid program of mind-body-spirit wellness practices. All very simple. Not sure there was a whole lot of new info for me but I like how it is packaged up. Very simple kettlebell and stretching movements can be found in the book. It would also be helpful if you are trying to improve on a specific area. Got to that chapter, digest it and start applying.

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Tiny Beautiful Things

Tiny Beautiful Things Book Cover Tiny Beautiful Things
Cheryl Strayed
Self-Help
Random House Digital, Inc.
2012
353

This collection might just contain all the things we need to know. It is profound in so many ways. This is one of those books that you should read over and over until the many (many!) truths that Cheryl Strayed shares with us become embedded in our souls. If that sounds corny to you - you need this book more than anyone.

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The Little Book of Hygge

The Little Book of Hygge Book Cover The Little Book of Hygge
Meik Wiking
Self-Help
Penguin UK
September 1, 2016
287

The Danish word hygge is one of those beautiful words that doesn't directly translate into English, but it more or less means comfort, warmth or togetherness. Hygge is the feeling you get when you are cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, in warm knitted socks, in front of the fire, when it is dark, cold and stormy outside. It that feeling when you are sharing good, comfort food with your closest friends, by candle light and exchanging easy conversation. It is those cold, crisp blue sky mornings when the light through your window is just right. Denmark is the happiest nation in the world and Meik puts this largely down to them living the hygge way. They focus on the small things that really matter, spend more quality time with friends and family and enjoy the good things in life. "The Little Book of Hygge" will give you practical steps and tips to become more hygge

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Mastery

Mastery Book Cover Mastery
Robert Greene
Business & Economics
Penguin
October 29, 2013
352

This came recommended by multiple people that I follow. Honestly, it was a "meh" for me. Lots of mini-biographies of "masters" like DaVinci, Darwin, Mozart, Proust, Goethe, Wright Brothers, Einstein, Coltrane, Martha Graham, etc. Lessons dissected from their successes, and categorized. Not a big impact for me. I will read his "48 Laws of Power" at some point but I think Ryan Holiday has perfected this style.

 

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When Things Fall Apart

When Things Fall Apart Book Cover When Things Fall Apart
Pema Chodron
Body, Mind & Spirit
Shambhala Publications
June 7, 2016
176

This is an excellent guide book. The teachings are a little (a lot) counter-intuitive. She teaches to “embrace the suck” (my term). Get into the pain, poke at it, ask it questions. Ask the monster in your closet to join you for tea. All in an effort to be a little kinder to YOURSELF. Figure out what is causing you pain, get comfortable with it and then work on reversing your negative habits.

See My Kindle Notes

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Tools of Titans

Tools of Titans Book Cover Tools of Titans
Tim Ferriss
Business & Economics
December 6, 2016
704

I am a fan of Tim Ferriss. I am a regular listener to his podcasts. I have read, annotated, post-it noted, and re-read all of his books. There is SO MUCH in this encyclopedia of self-improvement tips, tactics and strategies. This book covers EVERYTHING. Health, wealth, and wisdom. I like his books in hard cover. Some times the Kindle is not enough. Sometimes, I need that tactile experience.

See my Kindle Notes

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A New Earth

A New Earth Book Cover A New Earth
Eckhart Tolle
Body, Mind & Spirit
Penguin Books
2005
315

This is one of those books that you can open to a random page, read for a minute, and then just ponder what you read for the rest of the day. Its a book about mindfulness, of letting go, of trying to become more aware, of trying to diminish the power your ego has over you, of quieting that monkey chatter in your brain. It is about realizing that most people do not inhabit a living reality but a conceptualized one. Talk about a gut punch.

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Turning Pro

Turning Pro Book Cover Turning Pro
Steven Pressfield
Psychology
Black Irish Entertainment LLC
2012
131

Turning Pro is Steven Pressfield’s follow up to The War of Art. He highlights the difference between the amateur and the Professional. It is an excellent follow-up. Turning Pro – becoming a professional is about grinding. It is about suffering for your art; your CRAFT. He quotes the Greek poet and mercenary, Archilochus: “Be brave, my heart. Plant your feet and square your shoulders to the enemy. Meet him among the man-killing spears. Hold your ground.” You don’t really need Turning Pro. You could easily carry The War of Art around with you content that it will serve as your guidebook but Turning Pro provides a lot of supplemental guidance.

Read my Kindle Notes

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