On Thinking Like A Rocket Scientist, Reflections on Life from a Dying Physician, and Being a Dhandho Investor

Books that changed my life

Hi All! 

Here are another three books that changed my life.

1. Personal development
Think Like a Rocket Scientist

Summary
Wow...so much wisdom in this book. I loved every page (as you can see from the voluminous notes). The book is filled with stories, anecdotes, and lessons galore. It is inspiring and forces you to reflect on your life and whether you are living it to your fullest. Perfect for anyone who aspires to be doing more in their lives, whether as a student, business owner, parent, or individual.

• Principle: To find the strategy, ask yourself, what problem is this tactic here to solve.  Once you identify the strategy, it is easier to play with different tactics.

• Insight: Only when you are dancing in the dark, only when you don't know where the light switch is–or even what a light switch is–can progress begin.

• Quote: To cut is to make whole, to subtract is to add, to constrain is to liberate. -Ozan Varol

Author: Ozan Varol
Themes: Personal development, Human psychology, Entrepreneurship, Growing a business, Productivity, Leadership
My personal notes from the book
 

2. Memoir
When Breath Becomes Air

Summary
This book brought a pause to my life to think hard about how I interact with my patients, and more importantly, how I want to live my life everyday. The author, Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon, had his life cut short from cancer. In this memoir, he provides a privileged and rare perspective as a medical professional with a terminal diagnosis. Prepare to shed some tears. 

• Principle: The pain of failure had led me to understand that technical excellence was a moral requirement. Good intentions were not enough, not when so much depended on my skills, when the difference between tragedy and triumph was defined by one or two millimeters.

• Insight: As a resident, my highest ideal was not saving lives–everyone dies eventually–but guiding a patient or family to an understanding of death or illness.

• Quote: In these moments, I acted not, as I most often did, as death's enemy, but as its ambassador -Paul Kalanithi

Author: Paul Kalanithi, MD
Themes: Memoir, On living and dying, Medical school, Residency training, Patient care
My personal notes from the book
 

3. Personal finance
The Dhandho Investor

Summary
Pabrai distills the fundamentals of value investing and writes in a voice that is easy to read. He provides actionable advice–whether it is about how to think about your financial decisions or on how to start your own business. I've listened to many interviews of Pabrai–he is intelligent, principled, and filled with humility.

• Principle: The entrance strategy is actually more important than the exit strategy

• Insight: Dhandho entrepreneurs first focus on minimizing downside risk. Low-risk situations, by definition, have low downsides. Heads I win; tails, I don't lose much.

• Quote: Never count on making a good sale. Have the purchase price be so attractive that even a mediocre sales gives good results. -Warren Buffett

Author: Mohnish Pabrai
Themes: Personal finance, Investing, Wealth creation, Starting a business, Entrepreneurship
My personal notes from the book
 

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to forward this to friends (they can sign up below). Have a fabulous weekend! 

Best,
Adam