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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Choose Yourself summary
Be Happy, Make Millions, Live the Dream
22 mins
Brief summary
Choose Yourself by James Altucher is a self-help book that challenges conventional success narratives and encourages readers to prioritize their own well-being. It provides actionable steps for personal growth and creating a fulfilling career and life on your own terms.
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Choose Yourself
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Key idea 1 of 9
The American Dream of a steady middle-class job and “keeping up with the Joneses” is over.
If you were to ask your parents about their ambitions as they were growing up, many of them would probably tell you, “I wanted to get an education, get a steady job and then buy my own house.”
From the end of World War II until the global financial crisis in 2008, the population of the United States was living The American Dream.
What was behind this dream? In a word: work.
Early in this period, as men went off to fight in Europe, many women entered the workforce. Yet when the war was over and soldiers came home, women continued to work. For the first time, both men and women in significant numbers were wage earners, putting food on the table and paying the bills.
With two people working, families had more disposable income than ever before. This meant that they could purchase cars, bigger houses and new appliances, experiencing a standard of living of which their parents could only have dreamed.
However, behind the shiny facade of the American Dream was something sinister: a marketing strategy designed to get people to spend money. Americans were increasingly encouraged to express themselves with their cash, showing off their successes by owning more stuff than their neighbors.
Since the advent of 2008 financial crisis, however, the American Dream has come to an end.
Steady, middle-class jobs are a thing of the past. To reduce costs, companies have either outsourced jobs to developing countries or simply replaced employees with technology.
Today, many jobs are only temporary, and offer a worker no security or freedom. Millions of people encouraged to invest in their education, then find a steady job and live the American Dream are now either unemployed, or overqualified and underpaid for what they do.
It’s a devastating story. But should we be sad about it? As you’ll see, there’s a positive side to the death of the American Dream, as it has led to a new, promising era.
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What is Choose Yourself about?
Author James Altucher explains that after the 2008 global economic crisis, you can’t wait to be chosen; you have to Choose Yourself. This means you have to take full responsibility for your own success and happiness by reclaiming control of your aspirations and dreams. To do this, the book gives you both tools and effective practices to stay physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy.
Choose Yourself Review
Choose Yourself (2013) by James Altucher is an insightful book about taking control of your own success and happiness. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its bold and unconventional ideas, the book challenges traditional thinking and encourages readers to think outside the box for personal and professional growth.
- Packed with practical exercises and thought-provoking questions, it empowers readers to take action and make positive changes in their lives.
- Altucher's honest and relatable storytelling keeps the book engaging from start to finish, making it far from boring and easy to connect with.
Best quote from Choose Yourself
Were taught at an early age that were not good enough. That someone else has to choose us in order for us to be.
—James Altucher
Who should read Choose Yourself?
- Anyone who wants to learn how to become rich in today’s economy
- Anyone who wants better understand the state of the economy since 2008
- Anyone interested in entrepreneurship
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Choose Yourself FAQs
What is the main message of Choose Yourself?
The main message of Choose Yourself is to prioritize self-care, self-improvement, and self-reliance for personal and professional success.
How long does it take to read Choose Yourself?
The reading time for Choose Yourself varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Choose Yourself a good book? Is it worth reading?
Choose Yourself is a valuable read for anyone looking to take control of their life and embrace unconventional strategies for success.
Who is the author of Choose Yourself?
James Altucher is the author of Choose Yourself.
What to read after Choose Yourself?
If you're wondering what to read next after Choose Yourself, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Skip the Line by James Altucher
- Reinvent Yourself by James Altucher
- Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
- The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks
- Raising Girls Who Like Themselves by Kasey Edwards