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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Reinvent Yourself summary
Change is the only constant
17 mins
Brief summary
Reinvent Yourself by James Altucher is a practical guide for anyone looking to transform their life, career or business using unconventional methods. It offers insights, stories, and tips on how to adapt to changing circumstances, overcome fear and failure, and live a fulfilling life.
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Reinvent Yourself
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Key idea 1 of 6
Refuse to let your degree or job title define you, and find mentors to help you redefine yourself.
Once upon a time, the road to success was straightforward: you earned a degree, landed a stable job and saved up for a comfortable retirement. This road has become a thing of the past, and yet many people are still trying to follow it – saddling themselves with debt from student loans, credit cards and mortgages along the way.
The old road is no longer viable because in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world there simply isn’t a linear, fixed and preestablished route to success; you need to blaze your own path.
One of the keys to doing so is to avoid letting your degree or job title define you. Consider a company that exemplifies reinvention: Google. Catching up with a friend who works at Google, the author asked, “What are the latest projects your company is working on?”
The author expected them to be search-related. But, actually, they were totally different: building an automated car, developing a bracelet to cure cancer and connecting remote areas to Wi-Fi through stratospheric balloons. In other words, Google doesn’t let its “job” (providing a search engine) define it.
Google’s cofounder Larry Page doesn’t let his degree define him, either. He majored in computer science, but his job today isn’t about tinkering with software; it’s about solving major societal problems.
Of course, breaking free of the confines of your degree or job title is easier said than done. Fortunately, just because you have to blaze your own path doesn’t mean you have to go it alone; mentors can provide guidance. Here are some steps to finding them.
First, do some research on a person you respect and want to learn from. Read her bio. Check out articles she’s written or interviews she’s given. Next, contact her with ideas that might help her.
For example, when the author was seeking mentorship from someone who had written an academic article, he didn’t just read the article; he sent feedback, thus providing value as a mentee.
As you continue on your journey, provide your mentor with progress updates every three months. That way, she can see her influence on you in action and feel appreciated.
Finally, don’t just seize opportunities to meet up with your mentor; create those opportunities. It might even be worth going so far as to fly to another country and send her a message saying you’re available to discuss an idea further!
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What is Reinvent Yourself about?
Reinvent Yourself (2016) shares practical techniques on how to continually reevaluate and readjust your approach to life and to business in order to forge your own path to success. Author James Altucher illustrates how to do this using inspirational stories drawn from the religious leaders, artists and billionaire entrepreneurs from whom he learned the art of self-reinvention.
Reinvent Yourself Review
Reinvent Yourself (2016) by James Altucher is a thought-provoking book that compels readers to rethink their approach to life and embrace personal transformation. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- With refreshing honesty and vulnerability, Altucher shares his own life experiences, providing relatability and inspiration for readers.
- This book offers a plethora of practical strategies and unconventional advice for reinventing oneself in an ever-changing world.
- Combining humor, wit, and personal anecdotes, the book keeps readers engaged and entertained while challenging them to step out of their comfort zones.
Best quote from Reinvent Yourself
Learning never stops. Many people die at 25 but are not put in the coffin until 75. The learning stopped for them early.
—James Altucher
Who should read Reinvent Yourself?
- Unfulfilled professionals who want to start a new career but are too afraid to begin
- Self-starters who want to learn how to master new skills
- Aspiring entrepreneurs who are broke and want to find financial freedom
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Reinvent Yourself FAQs
What is the main message of Reinvent Yourself?
Reinvent Yourself inspires personal growth and provides practical advice for navigating life's challenges.
How long does it take to read Reinvent Yourself?
Reading time for Reinvent Yourself varies. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Reinvent Yourself a good book? Is it worth reading?
Reinvent Yourself is worth reading for its valuable insights and actionable strategies for self-improvement.
Who is the author of Reinvent Yourself?
The author of Reinvent Yourself is James Altucher.
What to read after Reinvent Yourself?
If you're wondering what to read next after Reinvent Yourself, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Choose Yourself by James Altucher
- Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
- Communicate to Influence by Ben Decker & Kelly Decker
- You'll See It When You Believe It by Wayne W. Dyer
- Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Art of the Tale by Steven James
- Skip the Line by James Altucher
- Hardcore Self Help by Robert Duff
- Mindset by Carol Dweck