On The Happiness Project, Money and What Matters, and The Will to Succeed
Books that changed my life
Hello all!
Here is your weekly dose of books that changed my life.
1. Personal development
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
Summary
There is nothing earth-shattering in this book but it is well-written, fun and inspiring. It is wide-ranging and if you are someone who seeks personal growth, you’ll find value. It is definitely a feel-good book.
Principle: Never start a sentence with the words 'No offense'
Insight: There is no love; there are only proofs of love.
Quote: A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labors of a spasmodic Hercules. -Anthony Trollope
Author: Gretchen Rubin
Themes: Personal development, Living a full life, Health and wellness
My personal notes from the book
2. Personal development
The Secret of Shelter Island: Money and What Matters
Summary
This is one of my favorite books for self-reflection and motivation. It is filled with wonderful quotes and insights about life, wealth, and relationships.
Insight: We are always getting ready to live but never living.
Quote: Men show their character in nothing more clearly than what they think is laughable -Goethe
Quote: There are two types of people in this world. Those who come into the room and say, "Well, here I am!" and those who come in and say, "Ah, there you are!" -Frederick Collins
Jefferson's Ten Canons for a Practical Life:
Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today
Never trouble another for what you can do yourself
Never spend money before you have it
Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap
Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold
We never repent for having eaten too little
Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly
How much pain has cost us the evils which never have happened
Take things always by their smooth handle
When angry, count to ten, before you speak, if very angry, count to a hundred
Author: Alexander Green
Themes: Personal development, Personal finance, Living a full life
My personal notes from the book
3. Peak performance
No Limits: The Will to Succeed
Summary
There is a big difference between being a great athlete vs being an elite athlete. It is rarely the physical that separates the two, rather it is the mental toughness that drives the elite athlete further. We get to watch elite athletes achieve remarkable feats on TV, but really don’t appreciate the work that is happening everyday, behind the scenes. This book allows us to learn from Phelps’s approach and gain insights into his mindset to improve ourselves in our own pursuits.
Principle: There is a direct connection between what you put into it and what you you get out of it.
Insight: So many people along the way, whatever it is you aspire to do, will tell you it can't be done. But all it takes is imagination. You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits
Quote: If you say "can't" you're restricting what you can do or ever will do. -Michael Phelps
Author: Michael Phelps
Themes: Investing, Wealth creation, Personal finance, Economics, Travel
My personal notes from the book
That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading!
Please continue to share with me the books that changed your life!
Best,
Adam
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i'm not sure Jefferson really nailed these 10 canons. He's close but not quite there. I'lll take it up with him.