← The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Mark Manson

Key ideas

  1. Choose what to care about.
  2. Happiness comes from solving problems.
  3. Pick better values.
  4. Responsibility is not fault.
  5. You could be wrong.

The week

Day 1Read the summary. Five key ideas and where the book overreaches.
Day 2List what you care about. Write down everything you're spending emotional energy on this week, then circle the five that matter most.
Bad day: Write one thing you'll stop caring about this week.
Day 3Pick your struggle. Write down one goal you want and the specific struggle it requires, and decide whether you want that struggle.
Bad day: Write one goal and the daily struggle it would require.
Day 4Audit your values. Write down three values you measure yourself by, and test each one against Manson's criteria.
Bad day: Write one value you measure yourself by and whether it's in your control.
Day 5Take responsibility for one thing. Pick one problem in your life that isn't your fault, and write down how you'll respond to it.
Bad day: Write one sentence: “It's not my fault, but my response is...”
Day 6Question one belief. Pick one strong belief about yourself and write the best argument that you're wrong.
Bad day: Write one belief about yourself and one fact that contradicts it.
Day 7Do something. Take the first small action on the goal you chose on day 3, even if you don't feel motivated.
Bad day: Do the smallest possible step on your goal right now.

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