On becoming unbreakable: How normal people become extraordinarily self-confident
Vespasian, John
Synopsis "On becoming unbreakable: How normal people become extraordinarily self-confident"
Becoming emotionally unbreakable is a primary skill for achieving happiness. This book presents the principles of psychological strength, together with stories of people who have used those principles: How did Joseph Abbeel survive the Napoleonic wars, and manage to start a new life? Which crucial success principle was discovered by the Ancient Roman poet Ovid? How did Buffalo Bill cope with his tremendous financial mistakes? How did William Turner protect himself against negative criticism? Their stories will show you what to do when you are confronted with severe problems, even when everything seems lost. This book aims at making you highly resistant to adversity. Its principles will enable you to move on with your life despite difficulties, obstacles, and setbacks. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 - Refuse to listen to pessimistic messagesBetter opportunities can be foundPractise this great philosophy every dayImagine a happy outcomeSurviving and thriving against all oddsThere is plenty of light in the darknessA method for preventing serious mistakesThe search for a balanced perspective Chapter 2 - Never stop asking for what you wantThe power of universal principlesA man should be measured by his ambitionsWhen obstacles seem insurmountableIn praise of a polite, courteous approachA simple technique for increasing your self-assuranceThe fisherman and the hookWhen a heavy storm breaks out Chapter 3 - Learn to rely primarily on yourselfPenniless and uneducated, but determinedSurviving a major crisis without a scratchWithout resources and social connectionsLooking for possibilities of advancementA particularly unimpressive manChoose a consistent strategyA machine that functions under any kind of weather Chapter 4 - Keep trudging forwardDecisiveness in the face of adversityHow to thrive after having your reputation trashedA man makes a big mistake and loses his savingsSix lessons that you should never forgetAn embattled man regains his peace of mindNever make a promise you don't intend to keepThe immense value of having a tough skin Chapter 5 - Be relentlessly entrepreneurialTalent development makes fear disappearA popular theory that is completely falseHow to flex your psychological musclesA poor communicator becomes a brilliant instructorObserve the facts, and draw your own conclusionsResilience multiplied by a factor of tenA major mistake and a major lesson Chapter 6 - Identify the crucial elementsA virtue that goes hand in hand with self-confidenceDon't be more cautious than you need toA dominant paradigm blown to smithereensAdopt a straightforward approachProtect your privacy so that it protects your sanityMisunderstood and vilified, but still a winnerKeep your margin of safety during bad times Chapter 7 - Protect yourself from predatorsMaking an unusual career choiceThe courage to call things by their namesBeware of stories that are too good to be trueShun impracticality and wasteHolding a wolf by the earsThe essence of civilized behaviourStay away from ethical decay Chapter 8 - Adopt a realistic approachHere is a down-to-earth philosophyThe great advantage of having clear ideasLike a rock that breaks the wavesHow to judge people and events accuratelyStriving for a well-measured proportionalityBeware of caring more than you should Chapter 9 - Don't be blinded by false argumentsThe question nobody dares to askDealing with widespread passivityThe adherence to worthless dogmasSocial myths and superstitionsBeginning is tough, but obstacles can be surmountedA highly productive second lifeIt is time to overcome self-inflicted blindness
