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Basically a collection of insights from high achievers. You may find something useful for yourself, but if you do have an “Aha!” moment whilst reading – do yourself a favour and either write it down, or highlight the passage you want to remember, or do something else to that effect. The way the book is set out is not very conducive to anything sticking in your memory, as you’re constantly hopping from one thing to the next.
In fact, having just finished it myself, there are only two things that stand out for me:
1. Constant reminders that most successful people meditate and/or have some form of mindfulness practice, such as journaling.
2. Tim’s sleep tea recipe: 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar + 1 tablespoon of honey to 1 cup of water. I tend to have trouble sleeping, and so I tried it. It was one of the most vile things I’ve ever had the displeasure of drinking. However, it indeed knocked me out within 30 minutes. Regardless, effective or not, I will never put myself through that again.
In fact, having just finished it myself, there are only two things that stand out for me:
1. Constant reminders that most successful people meditate and/or have some form of mindfulness practice, such as journaling.
2. Tim’s sleep tea recipe: 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar + 1 tablespoon of honey to 1 cup of water. I tend to have trouble sleeping, and so I tried it. It was one of the most vile things I’ve ever had the displeasure of drinking. However, it indeed knocked me out within 30 minutes. Regardless, effective or not, I will never put myself through that again.
A giant book compiled by a great dude (I'm a big fan of Ferriss) who single-mindedly wants to help people hack their lives for the better. Certainly inspirational, and written in his usual quirky style. I appreciate the variety of interviews and insights, however I feel that the book itself was too piecemeal and perhaps too variegated to the extremes of self-discipline.
I do appreciate his memo to us, however, that he acknowledges the sheer variety of the enclosed information and expects us to only really resonate with 5-10% of it, subjectively. While this is an admirable goal, to compile a dictionary of his best learnings for his readers, I think the book suffers from an excess of length and occasionally discursiveness.
Doesn't detract from the book's overall high quality, though. If you're looking for something to read straight through, this probably isn't for you. But if you want to skim around and find some real nuggets from the best of Tim's interviews, there's some valuable material here. You just have to do a bit of digging through the stuff that doesn't matter to you.
I do appreciate his memo to us, however, that he acknowledges the sheer variety of the enclosed information and expects us to only really resonate with 5-10% of it, subjectively. While this is an admirable goal, to compile a dictionary of his best learnings for his readers, I think the book suffers from an excess of length and occasionally discursiveness.
Doesn't detract from the book's overall high quality, though. If you're looking for something to read straight through, this probably isn't for you. But if you want to skim around and find some real nuggets from the best of Tim's interviews, there's some valuable material here. You just have to do a bit of digging through the stuff that doesn't matter to you.
3.5 stars, i think. has lots of good bits to think about.
Ce livre a traîné très longtemps dans ma bibliothèque avant que je ne m’y attaque. Il y est enfin retourné avec des dizaines de pages marquées sur les conseils que je trouvais les plus intéressants et importants. Le format est assez étrange, un assemblage d’interview sans en être vraiment, mais ce livre renferme tellement de conseils intéressants et surprenants que chacun y trouvera son compte. A feuilleter au gré du temps et des réponses que l’on cherche :)
”You must want to be a butterfly so badly, you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”
”You must want to be a butterfly so badly, you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”
_Tools of Titans_ is a great book.
This volume, a collection of interviews and essays by author Tim Ferriss, seeks to distill the wisdom of some of the many people the author has interviewed over the years (and give Ferriss an avenue for publishing his own musings, advice, and lessons learned).
Initially, I found it off putting. Ferris tends to interview people whom he admires, so there’s a great deal of material about celebrities, athletes, tech billionaires, and celebrity athlete tech billionaires. I’m not particularly interested in becoming a celebrity, athlete, or tech billionaire, and I found myself wondering, “Where are the kind of people I’d like to emulate? Where are the educators, adventurers, and religious leaders? Where are the relief workers, military leaders, diplomats and journalists?”
However, I hung in there. You should, too. You read enough of these interviews, and themes begin to emerge: success happens on purpose; the difference between a goal and a wish is an entry on a calendar; self-care, particularly in the forms of conscious nutrition, meditation, and exercise, make a cumulative contribution to well-being and effectiveness, and so on. I don’ t mean to imply that this book will necessarily rewire your brain. For example, I still don’t happen to be a particular believer in goals: I find that if I work hard and try to behave decently, opportunities materialize which I never would have even envisioned as goals. Nevertheless, one can’t read 707 pages of positive reinforcement and good ideas without some of it rubbing off. I’m going to have learn about how to use those kettle bells I see in the corner of the gym, for instance.
My point? Even if you’re the kind of person who feels creeped out by Tony Robbins, even if you’ve already decided that you don’t want to know what a kettle bell is, _Tools of Titans_ has something for you. At most, it will give you specific advice on how to lead your best life. Probably, it will motivate you to follow your own path to your best life. At least, it’s a well-written and engaging series of interviews and essays.
Recommended for: everyone.
NB: I recommend the print edition of _Tools of Titans_. The book is divided into many short chapters; it’s perfect bathroom reading.
This volume, a collection of interviews and essays by author Tim Ferriss, seeks to distill the wisdom of some of the many people the author has interviewed over the years (and give Ferriss an avenue for publishing his own musings, advice, and lessons learned).
Initially, I found it off putting. Ferris tends to interview people whom he admires, so there’s a great deal of material about celebrities, athletes, tech billionaires, and celebrity athlete tech billionaires. I’m not particularly interested in becoming a celebrity, athlete, or tech billionaire, and I found myself wondering, “Where are the kind of people I’d like to emulate? Where are the educators, adventurers, and religious leaders? Where are the relief workers, military leaders, diplomats and journalists?”
However, I hung in there. You should, too. You read enough of these interviews, and themes begin to emerge: success happens on purpose; the difference between a goal and a wish is an entry on a calendar; self-care, particularly in the forms of conscious nutrition, meditation, and exercise, make a cumulative contribution to well-being and effectiveness, and so on. I don’ t mean to imply that this book will necessarily rewire your brain. For example, I still don’t happen to be a particular believer in goals: I find that if I work hard and try to behave decently, opportunities materialize which I never would have even envisioned as goals. Nevertheless, one can’t read 707 pages of positive reinforcement and good ideas without some of it rubbing off. I’m going to have learn about how to use those kettle bells I see in the corner of the gym, for instance.
My point? Even if you’re the kind of person who feels creeped out by Tony Robbins, even if you’ve already decided that you don’t want to know what a kettle bell is, _Tools of Titans_ has something for you. At most, it will give you specific advice on how to lead your best life. Probably, it will motivate you to follow your own path to your best life. At least, it’s a well-written and engaging series of interviews and essays.
Recommended for: everyone.
NB: I recommend the print edition of _Tools of Titans_. The book is divided into many short chapters; it’s perfect bathroom reading.
This book is like a summary of Tim Ferris Podcasts, this book is huge!
Packed with so much info, this book has a lot to offer. Definitely, not a single read book, it's best if we revisit the book multiple times.
Neatly structured, great book recommendations, interesting perspectives.
This is a treasure.
Packed with so much info, this book has a lot to offer. Definitely, not a single read book, it's best if we revisit the book multiple times.
Neatly structured, great book recommendations, interesting perspectives.
This is a treasure.
It’s good. Lots of helpful information and insights from a lot of different people. I’m fairly certain Tim Ferris and I would never be friends IRL. But the dude is smart and has done a great job extrapolating the best of his podcast into book form. This is worth a read through. A ton of helpful stuff enclosed.
informative
medium-paced
This is an insightful book only if you read it the way Tim Ferris had meant it to be read.
He says in his introduction that this isn't the kind of book that you just go through. These are "tools" that you will need in your life someday or the other. The book is meant to be a guide inside the lifestyles of successful businessmen, productivity gurus, etc. who explain their tips and tricks for succeeding in their personal as well as professional life.
While at first this may seem a daunting book, its still fun to skim through every once in a while when you have the time. Keep in mind that this is a guide and you won't be disappointed.
He says in his introduction that this isn't the kind of book that you just go through. These are "tools" that you will need in your life someday or the other. The book is meant to be a guide inside the lifestyles of successful businessmen, productivity gurus, etc. who explain their tips and tricks for succeeding in their personal as well as professional life.
While at first this may seem a daunting book, its still fun to skim through every once in a while when you have the time. Keep in mind that this is a guide and you won't be disappointed.