Nov 27, 2016

Blog: My life changing YouTube video (FIGHTMEDIOCRITY TOP 9 BOOKS)

Blog #3: My life changing YouTube video (FIGHTMEDIOCRITY TOP 9 BOOKS)
Around 7 months ago I stumbled across a YouTube video by a channel FightMediocrity. I had subscribed to that channel long back, but some how had missed this particular video. You can see the whole video below

It is 17:52 minute long video which lists Fightmediocrity's top 9 books. I highly recommend you to watch the video and then continue reading.

I would not try to repeat of what is in the video because explanation in video is exceptional. But i would first list those 9 books and authors and would give my take on it. He mentions list of nine books which he puts in 3 categories (2 un-categorized).
A. Money
  1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
  2. The 4-hour workweek by Timothy Ferriss
B. Social intelligence
  1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  2. The 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene
C. Becoming a Master
  1. The Way Of The Superior Man by David Deida
  2. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl
  3. Mastery by George Leonard
  1. Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn
  2. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
After watching the video 7 months ago, I was highly inspired to read them. Rich Dad Poor Dad I had already read during my collage days and found the theme very useful. May be as I have a job now it really did not matter now.
I was blown away by the author (Tim Ferriss) more than the book "The 4-hour workweek". He has a YouTube account (YouTube:Tim Ferriss) where he does podcast with really inspiring people. Podcast are around (~1-2 hours long), but he indulges audience and digs deep.
Fourth book (The 48 Laws Of Power) was most blunt in this list. It talks about power and people go ways around power which shape the social interaction. For me it meant as a gateway to understand other person's behaviour in social interaction. Humans always try to be logical and want the answer to several "Whys". This book has answer to several "Why" on social interaction topic.
Third book (How to Win Friends and Influence People) i had always seen with my close friend (he was the nicest guy) during collage days. I did not read it during my collage days, i don't know why; but after reading it now i regret not reading it then. This book had some of the best piece of advice when interacting with others.
Fifth book (The Way Of The Superior Man) really eye opener in personal relationship front. I would highly recommend it for men, who want to be in control of their life.
Sixth book Man's Search for Meaning is Viktor Frankl's experience in concentration camps. I always believed that hearing someones misery and feeling good that we are not in that situation is very bad way to cheer up. But this book is beyond the above thought. Philosophy that author derives from being in the extreme condition are so pure and basic.
Seventh and Eight book i have not read yet. May be i am not in right situation in my life for these books to make an impact. But with inspiration that i had from the other books i feel these would turn out good.
Ninth book by Ryan Holiday - The Obstacle is the Way was the first book that i read after watching the video. May be it is my nature where I read the new book's back first. Reading this book alone is the best thing that has happened to me till date. It has changed the way I see life, way I react to situation. If you ask in some way it has changed me in small way. I read another book by same author "Ego is the Enemy", which turned out even more helpful than first one. Both the books are on Stoic philosophy. I think many of stoic philosophical traits can be found in Bhagavat-gita. (May be I will write some comparison in future).
I am not just finished when I have read all the books. I would re-read them till I understand every bit of it. I find that these books have the gist of all self-help book ever written.
Human life is constant struggle for improvement, just not the individual but the entire race. Each person becomes better and finds inspiration from
  1. Interaction with people
  2. Travelling different places and seeing different culture.
  3. Life experience (mostly bitter ones teach the most).
  4. Reading books.
For me reading above books has been far more inspiration compared to other 3 things. My heart filled thanks to Fightmediocrity putting this video out.
Please leave your suggestion and thoughts in the comment section below.

2 comments :

  1. Thank you for sharing, Harish. Glad to have found out your awesome blog and the amazing content you post.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it. Hoping to restart blogging.

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