STOP Reading Self Help Books, Read THESE Instead

Summary

This video script recommends five foundational books to enhance personal growth and success before diving into self-help literature. 'Limitless' by Jim Kwik teaches effective learning strategies, 'Being Logical' by D.Q. McInerny hones critical thinking, 'Captivate' by Vanessa Van Edwards offers practical social skills, 'Personal MBA' by Josh Kaufman covers business fundamentals, and 'Psycho-Cybernetics' by Dr. Maxwell Maltz explores self-image impact. A bonus tip is subscribing to targeted news feeds for continuous learning, emphasizing the importance of staying informed beyond books.

Takeaways

• 📚 The importance of reading books that teach effective learning strategies before diving into self-help books is emphasized, with 'Limitless' by Jim Kwik being recommended for its practical and science-based approach.
• 🧠 The necessity of critical thinking skills for personal growth is highlighted, with 'Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking' by D.Q. McInerny suggested to help spot logical fallacies and improve decision-making.
• 🤝 'Captivate' by Vanessa Van Edwards is recommended for its comprehensive advice on social interactions, emphasizing the need to understand different communication styles for lasting success.
• 💼 'Personal MBA' by Josh Kaufman is suggested as a foundational business book that provides a broad understanding of business systems and operations, applicable to anyone looking to enhance their role or start a project.
• 🔄 'Psycho-Cybernetics' by Dr. Maxwell Maltz is considered a foundational self-help book that explores the impact of self-image on life outcomes, with ideas that influenced many popular self-help authors.
• 🌐 The speaker recommends subscribing to targeted RSS feeds or newsletters as a 'bonus' suggestion, countering the notion that news consumption should be avoided due to its potential negativity.
• 🚫 A critique of the 'anti-education' sentiment found in some finance and wealth guru circles is presented, advocating for self-education and informed decision-making.
• 📈 The value of understanding personality assessments like the 'Big Five' from 'Captivate' is underscored for effective communication and building relationships.
• 📘 The script suggests that books should be approached with a set of pre-existing beliefs, habits, and strategies, which 'Limitless' helps to establish.
• 🔑 The concept of 'self-system' from 'Psycho-Cybernetics' is introduced as a key to understanding how our self-perception influences our actions and results.
• 📈 The script promotes the idea that books are static sources of knowledge, and staying informed through daily news and updates is crucial for adapting to new findings and world events.

Q & A

What is the main issue with self-help books according to the speaker?

The main issue is that people often read self-help books but fail to implement what they've learned due to not having the right set of beliefs, habits, and strategies in place.

What does the book 'Limitless' by Jim Kwik focus on?

'Limitless' focuses on teaching how to learn effectively, offering strategies, hacks, and brain-boosting food recipes combined with exercises to improve learning ability.

Why is 'Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking' by D.Q. McInerny recommended before starting with self-help books?

It is recommended to develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for personal growth and to separate useful advice from the junk in self-help books.

What skill is considered the most underrated and underutilized in personal growth according to the speaker?

Critical thinking is considered the most underrated and underutilized skill in personal growth.

What is the toxic element among finance and wealth gurus that the speaker mentions?

The toxic element is an anti-education sentiment that glorifies ignorance and uninformed decisions, often seen in the 'grind culture'.

How does the book 'Captivate' by Vanessa Van Edwards help with self-help books?

'Captivate' provides a framework for using information from self-help books in real-world interactions with people, offering hands-on advice, examples, assessments, and exercises.

What does 'Personal MBA' by Josh Kaufman cover that makes it valuable for anyone wanting to start a project?

'Personal MBA' covers every aspect of business, including types of businesses, evaluating a business, creating a business plan, and components like logistics, marketing, and sales.

Why is 'Psycho-Cybernetics' by Dr. Maxwell Maltz considered a foundational book for personal development?

'Psycho-Cybernetics' is foundational because it introduces the concept of self-image affecting our actions and results in life, which has influenced many popular self-help gurus.

What is the bonus sixth recommendation that the speaker suggests instead of a book?

The bonus recommendation is to sign up for targeted RSS feeds or newsletters to stay informed with daily news, which is important for maintaining critical thinking skills.

Why is it important to read diverse sources according to the speaker?

Diversity of sources is important to maintain critical thinking skills and to avoid becoming ignorant or disconnected from what's happening in the world.

What is the 'Proud Future Guide' mentioned by the speaker and how can one get it?

The 'Proud Future Guide' is a step-by-step guide to defining one's purpose and creating an action plan, which can be obtained through the pinned comment in the speaker's video.