Book Summary – The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Untitled

Debunking Myths on Success and Happiness

get clear on what truly matters, focus your choices on those few priorities, and accept that in spite of that, you’ll still make stupid mistakes and suffer occasionall

Untitled

Here’s the paradox: the more you pursue the positives, the more negative you’ll feel. Those who desperately want to be rich, worthy or happy will only end up feeling poorer, more unworthy or unhappy. On the other hand, the more you accept the negatives in your life, the better you’ll feel.
In fact, most we’re surrounded by so many messages about being positive that we tend to feel bad for feeling bad. Manson calls this the “feedback loop from hell”. The way to stop the loop is to stop giving a fck about everything or trying to be perfect. It’s perfectly normal to feel upset or unmotivated at times. Stop giving a fck about conventional norms and others’ opinions (come on, be different!). Stop giving a fck about pain and adversity (after all, you can’t win without overcoming challenges). Instead, decide what you truly give a fck about, and focus on that above all else.

Pain (both physical and physiological) is a part of our biological feedback system to tell us something needs our attention and action. You can’t avoid pain, and trying to do so will only bring more pain. In fact, happiness doesn’t come from being problem-free; it comes from solving meaningful problems. Rather than focusing only on the outcomes you’d enjoy, ask yourself: What pain and struggles might you enjoy and sustain? For example, will you enjoy the pain of training for a triathlon, or the uncertainties of entrepreneurship? By identifying what you’re willing to endure, you can fall in love not just with the reward but also the process.

The key is to accept that you’re average, that others face similar challenges as you do, and the bulk of the work you do will be mundane and inconsequential. Only then can you focus on doing what’s really needed to improve yourself and overcome your flaws and problems.

SUFFER PURPOSEFULLY

The 5 Counterintuitive Values for a Good Life

Untitled