Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* is a refreshing take on personal development. 

It kinda follows from the title. 

For me, the greatest value of this book lies in the author’s ability to be honest.

Too many authors (and people in general) hide behind a facade.

Not the case with Mr. Manson.

He says it like it is. 

In my personal life, honesty has been one of my greatest tools for personal development. 

Summary

Manson argues that life is full of problems. 

Instead of trying to avoid them, we should choose which problems to care about. 

He emphasizes the importance of accepting our limitations and focusing on what truly matters.

Basically, the premise of the book is: “Find something worth giving a f*ck about and then don’t give a f*ck about anything else because it’s not important”

Key Insights

  1. Embrace Reality: Accept that life is tough. Stop trying to be perfect and start being real.
  2. Choose Your Struggles: Decide what is worth your time and energy. Not everything deserves your attention.
  3. Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions and choices. This empowers you to make changes.
  4. Values: Identify your core values. Let them guide your decisions and actions.
  5. Acceptance of Death: Embracing mortality can lead to a more meaningful life. Understanding that our time is limited helps us prioritize what truly matters.
  6. The Backwards Law: The pursuit of positive experiences is itself a negative experience. Accepting the negatives in life can lead to a more fulfilling existence.
  7. Self-Awareness: Knowing yourself and understanding your limitations is crucial. Self-awareness helps in making better choices.
  8. Rejection of Entitlement: Feeling entitled can lead to dissatisfaction. Manson encourages accepting life as it is and working with what you have.
  9. Growth from Pain: Pain and discomfort are part of growth. Embracing challenges can lead to personal development.
  10. Commitment: Committing to fewer things allows for greater focus and fulfillment. Quality over quantity is essential.
  11. Change and Uncertainty: Embracing change and uncertainty is part of life. Being adaptable and open-minded can lead to new opportunities.
  12. The Importance of Saying No: Learning to say no is vital for maintaining personal boundaries and focusing on what’s important.

My rating

  • Easy to understand ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Practicality ⭐⭐⭐
  • Convenience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Educational Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Verdict

Manson’s writing is blunt and straightforward. His use of humor and real-life examples makes the book engaging. 

However, I found his advice to be a little less practical than I’d like. 

On the other hand, this book is about the “art” of not giving a f*ck, not about the “nuts and bolts”. So that may be by design.

I found that I had already been embodying a lot of what he teaches, so, for me, it wasn’t a great learning experience. 

On the other hand (I have four hands already?!) I learned those lessons from A LOT of pain in my life. So, if you don’t want to learn things the hard way, this book is a great “thought vaccine” for that.

If you learn the concepts from this book and apply them in your life, you will be stronger when adversity strikes (and it will!).

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* is a must-read for anyone tired of the usual self-help clichés. 

Have you read the book? Share your thoughts below!


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