The title sets the tone of the book. Mark Manson writes as if you were having a couple of beers with him up at the bar, shooting the shit late one night when you both had nothing better to do or better place to be. Been there done that.
It’s refreshing and an easy read with solid information. He’s view on things are blunt, he gives extremes with a sense of humour in the delivery. He’s had a significant event in his life that shifted how he did what he did and lead him on his path.
My takeaway on this occasion was his point about how everyone has the potential to be extraordinary and if everyone was then there wouldn’t be extraordinary. Further was the point that having this belief drilled into us through marketing, self help, celebrities, people with a platform, etc can have the ‘ordinary’ disenfranchised.
This resonated with me about being the best version of yourself whatever that might be. If you are honest with yourself, what can you do better, change, do differently to get a better or the best possible result for yourself, whatever that is your are working on?
Getting the backyard in order, whatever that might be for you. If that involves mowing the lawns, trimming the hedge, fertilising and watering the grass, doing the fundamentals and getting them them in place then maybe that’s a good place to start. Feeling good about the effort made, tidy and organised, set up a routine to keep it maintained and to be enjoyed. From this place asking yourself what next or what else? You will find huge capacity and energy for more. More experiences, more learnings, more help will appear to achieve things, more of whatever you truly are striving for.
My favourite quote is,
“We are so materially well off, yet so psychologically tormented in so many low-level and shallow ways.”
Is what you are giving a f*ck about really worth giving a f*ck about? Check it out, good, easy and quick read, keeps things fresh. Let me know your thoughts.
Stuart Keith
Dad's My Hero 