Top Five Takeaways from Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”
Most of us, at one point or another, were probably avid readers. Reading takes us to faraway lands, lets us explore the history and teaches us about ourselves. But let’s face it, as we’ve gotten older some of us have fallen off the reading wagon. As ashamed as I am to say it, I’m guilty... and I have an English degree! And so, to kick off the new year, the good girl movement launched the good girl book club. Our goal is to create an environment for girls to fall in love with reading once again. And if you haven’t guessed by now, your girl is the proud book club leader.
Our very first novel featured Mark Manson’s “The subtle art of not giving a f*ck.” Aside from the snarky sarcasm and the not so subtle use of the F word, Manson’s innovative self-help book had plenty of takeaways that every good girl needs to hear.
TAKEAWAY #1:
Progress is a process and failure is inevitable.
Create process-oriented goals that do not attribute to failure. For example, you could make it a goal to work out 3 days a week, it seems reasonable. But what happens when you oversleep or opt-out of a workout for happy hour with friends? You start to guilt-trip yourself for failing to make your goal. A process-oriented goal would tell you to work out this week. If you get up and do it once, you can try twice or next time. This is a process that keeps you moving forward. The small tasks help you transition into performing larger tasks. You have to start somewhere!
TAKEAWAY #2:
Set boundaries with confidence.
Knowing yourself means knowing your boundaries. It also means being firm in adhering to the boundaries you set. Committing to these boundaries is another way you commit to your own identity. People should not be able to sway your decisions in sticking to your boundaries. However, don’t get this confused with being stubborn and close-minded. A woman that sets boundaries is open to all choices but uses their values to create the best outcome for herself.
TAKEAWAY #3:
Accept the fear of death.
The art of living is understanding your immortality. Avoid pretending that you are never going to die. Not to be morbid, but you have to understand that one day you will die. No, if, and, or buts. Facing this truth helps to eliminate the values you hold onto that are actually holding you back. You have one life to live so choose what you actually give a fuck about wisely.
TAKEAWAY #4:
"Allocate your fucks given, based on priorities."
Prioritize your life by focusing your energy and attention on what is the most important and immediate. This doesn’t mean neglect other things, but don’t sweat the things that do not align with your values. Always remember, your priorities are just that...YOURS. So don’t let anyone try to prioritize your life based on their values. We are fully responsible for our own life. That’s not to say that bad things won’t happen or that you won’t be at fault for things. You are responsible for responding and your reaction is entirely up to you. If you stay passive you’re giving someone else permission to control your life.
TAKEAWAY #5:
The Backwards Law
Wanting a positive experience can actually be a negative experience. I know, it’s shocking. When you seek out a positive experience you are actually reinforcing & reminding yourself of your current, undesired, feeling which is negative. Truly happy people are simply that, happy. They don't need positive affirmations to remind them. Seeking out the positive can be a fixation on what you lack. The best way to combat this is to remain present and aim towards those process-oriented goals we talked about earlier. Accepting negative experiences is a positive experience.
From what we learned, we deem this book Good Girl Certified. If you’d like to know more about the good girl book club, swing over to our contact page and send us a message Until then, happy reading.
