Author: Mark Manson
My Rating: 5/5
Summary: An unconventional look at the way our responses to life’s struggles shape how we live. The philosophy that Manson presents in the book centers on accepting universal truths. One of these truths is that suffering is inevitable, and another is that that no matter what one might think, at some point one will be wrong about something. Unwillingness to accept these truths though resistance or avoidance leads people away from real happiness and toward the superficial representation of it
My Takeaways
The process of achieving happiness and perfection is inherently negative, but the process of acknowledging imperfection, problems and pain is inherently positive.
Happiness comes from solving problems.
We constantly trade our problems for new or better problems. Happiness is the activity of constantly solving problems in life.
Buddha example.
The key to life is not asking what you want to enjoy to be happy, but what pain do you want to sustain?
Enjoy the painful process of your goal.
Our struggles determine our success.
You’re responsible for everything in your life. Your choices lead to more problems you’re responsible for solving.
You can choose what you value and the metrics that measure that value.
Life is a poker game, some people get dealt bad cards but can beat others with the best cards because of their choices.
People need to go through pain in order to grow.
Without conflict, there can be no trust.
Trust is the most important ingredient in a relationship. Conflict is necessary to ensure trust us there.