I'm a Gen Xer but Adam Sandler was also a big part of my growing up, probably into my later teen years. I've probably seen Happy Gilmore 20 times and Billy Madison 25-30. Absolute classics - I had no idea there was a Happy Gilmore 2.
I'm working on a post (or series of posts) but it'll take some time on the topic of self-help/airport bestsellers. I must confess that I couldn't get into the 4-Hour Work Week. I just found his ideas kind of impractical for a lot of people - I mean, it's fine if you're a tech entrepreneur and have that background and money to fall back on, but for the rest of us, I think it's less doable. I have a few more issues but I'll save those for my post. Atomic Habits is another one that I just couldn't get into.
In 4-Hour Work Week, the idea of actually reducing your workload to four hours is comically ridiculous, but the broader message of not deferring enjoyment in life until retirement is something that’s stuck with me.
That book was also the first time I learned of the 80/20 principle, and other frameworks for thinking. In short, it was the first time I really ever encountered the concept of “frameworks for thinking,” which helped me to pattern match more broadly and think systematically.
I think a lot of people get 4-Hour fever after reading it, which is kind of a turnoff, but there is some gold in there. Same with James Clear as a whole and Atomic Habits specifically.
These are great points, Michael, glad you mentioned this. I am too often guilty of applying a broad brushstroke approach and being too critical of the whole piece instead of recognising the good, valid points. I usually read free samples on my Kindle and if I'm happy with it, I'll continue reading. I ought to read them in their entirety before putting together any post (I have read some all the way through).
I've been easily swayed by a podcast called 'If Books Could Kill'. It's absolutely hilarious and one of my favourites, I highly recommend. The hosts analyse what they call airport bestsellers, which includes pop culture (Gladwell, Freakanomics) and the self-help/business genre (Clear, Ferriss, etc). It's well worth listening to an episode or two. It's been ages since I listened to their 4-Hour Work Week episode, but I remember it being a highlight.
I'm a Gen Xer but Adam Sandler was also a big part of my growing up, probably into my later teen years. I've probably seen Happy Gilmore 20 times and Billy Madison 25-30. Absolute classics - I had no idea there was a Happy Gilmore 2.
I'm working on a post (or series of posts) but it'll take some time on the topic of self-help/airport bestsellers. I must confess that I couldn't get into the 4-Hour Work Week. I just found his ideas kind of impractical for a lot of people - I mean, it's fine if you're a tech entrepreneur and have that background and money to fall back on, but for the rest of us, I think it's less doable. I have a few more issues but I'll save those for my post. Atomic Habits is another one that I just couldn't get into.
In 4-Hour Work Week, the idea of actually reducing your workload to four hours is comically ridiculous, but the broader message of not deferring enjoyment in life until retirement is something that’s stuck with me.
That book was also the first time I learned of the 80/20 principle, and other frameworks for thinking. In short, it was the first time I really ever encountered the concept of “frameworks for thinking,” which helped me to pattern match more broadly and think systematically.
I think a lot of people get 4-Hour fever after reading it, which is kind of a turnoff, but there is some gold in there. Same with James Clear as a whole and Atomic Habits specifically.
These are great points, Michael, glad you mentioned this. I am too often guilty of applying a broad brushstroke approach and being too critical of the whole piece instead of recognising the good, valid points. I usually read free samples on my Kindle and if I'm happy with it, I'll continue reading. I ought to read them in their entirety before putting together any post (I have read some all the way through).
I've been easily swayed by a podcast called 'If Books Could Kill'. It's absolutely hilarious and one of my favourites, I highly recommend. The hosts analyse what they call airport bestsellers, which includes pop culture (Gladwell, Freakanomics) and the self-help/business genre (Clear, Ferriss, etc). It's well worth listening to an episode or two. It's been ages since I listened to their 4-Hour Work Week episode, but I remember it being a highlight.
Thanks for the podcast rec. I’ll add it to my feed!