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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Rewire summary
Richard O'Connor
Change Your Brain to Break Bad Habits, Overcome Addictions, Conquer Self-Destructive Behavior
14 mins
Brief summary
Rewire by Richard O'Connor is a self-help book that explains the complexities of neuroscience in a simple way. It offers practical strategies to rewire our brains and transform our lives. It provides insight into how our habits, emotions, and thoughts affect our happiness and well-being.
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Rewire
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Key idea 1 of 6
We have two “selves” that dictate our actions – and we can learn to control them.
We've all been through this: you're faced with two choices, you know which one is right, yet you choose the wrong one. Why do we do that?
It's because we all really have two selves – a conscious self and an automatic self. They both influence our decisions.
The automatic self acts without our direct control. It's what's influencing you when you mindlessly eat a bag of chips while watching TV.
The conscious self uses rational thought and reason. When you decide to try octopus for the first time, your conscious self is in charge.
Usually, when you do something you regret, it's because your automatic self is in control, and your conscious self isn't considering the consequences. You eat those chips without thinking about it.
So if you want to overcome any bad behavior, you have to train your automatic self to stop slipping. Strengthening your conscious self to be more dominant is also useful, but training your automatic self is more effective.
Brains can physically change. You can direct the ways your brain develops, and how it affects your behavior.
Our brains are constantly building new cells, and new networks between them. In fact, it's recently been discovered that learning actually causes the growth of new cells; our behavior affects brain cell growth, thereby brain function.
When you do any action repeatedly, your nerve cells grow more and more connections with each other. For example, “go to the gym” (nerve A) will connect with “stay at the gym until my workout is done” (nerve B).
As you work out more and more, it'll become a habit. Nerves A and B will increasingly bond together.
So when we develop good habits, we replace bad habits. You need to change your automatic habits from negative to positive ones.
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What is Rewire about?
Rewire is about why we sometimes fall into self-destructive behavior, and how to move past it.
It delves into the brain activity behind addictions, and outlines strategies for rewiring yourself for improved self-control over your bad habits.
Rewire Review
Rewire (2016) by Richard O'Connor is a thought-provoking exploration of our brains' capacity to change and how we can rewire our thoughts and behaviors for a more fulfilling life. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Featuring solid scientific research and practical exercises, it offers readers actionable strategies to break free from negative patterns and reshape their lives.
- O'Connor combines real-life stories and relatable examples to demonstrate the power of rewiring, making the book both informative and engaging.
- The author's ability to translate complex concepts into accessible language keeps readers curious and ensures the book is anything but boring.
Best quote from Rewire
Each time we engage in a bad habit, we make it more likely well do it again in the future.
—Richard O'Connor
Who should read Rewire?
- Anyone struggling to overcome a bad habit or addictions
- Anyone looking to help a loved one with an addiction
- Anyone who wants to gain more peace of mind and self-control
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Rewire FAQs
What is the main message of Rewire?
The main message of Rewire is that we have the power to change our brains and break free from negative patterns.
How long does it take to read Rewire?
The reading time for Rewire varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Rewire a good book? Is it worth reading?
Rewire is a valuable read for anyone seeking to understand the brain and how to overcome negative thinking. It offers practical insights in a concise format.
Who is the author of Rewire?
The author of Rewire is Richard O'Connor.
What to read after Rewire?
If you're wondering what to read next after Rewire, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Never Enough by Judith Grisel
- Reclaim Your Brain by Joseph A. Annibali
- You Are Not Your Brain by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding
- Mastering Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams
- Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control by Vaughn Carter
- Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson
- Red Flags, Green Flags by Ali Fenwick
- Master Your Emotions by Thibaut Meurisse
- Become What You Are by Alan Watts
- 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam