The Tools Book Summary - The Tools Book explained in key points
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The Tools summary

Phil Stutz & Barry Michels

5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity, and Willpower--and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion

4.4 (459 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

The Tools' by Phil Stutz & Barry Michels is a self-help book that provides practical tools to confront and overcome fear, pain, and other emotional obstacles. It offers a new perspective on life, helping readers to thrive and live in the present moment.

Table of Contents

    The Tools
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    Tool #1: Welcoming Adversity

    What’s on your immediate must-do list that fills you with dread or even fear? Is there anything you’ve been putting off for longer? 

    While it’s human nature to avoid what we don’t like, uncomfortable and even painful situations are inevitable. In most cases, the challenges themselves aren’t what hold people back from achieving their greatest potential; it’s the avoidance of taking the next step to unlock the possibilities.

    The first tool helps you not only power through tough situations but learn to use them to your benefit. We are not talking about just accepting adversity, but actually being glad to see it when it inevitably appears. It sounds bizarre, but it’s a powerful way to reframe the role difficulty has in your life. 

    Here’s the exercise: First, visualize the emotion surrounding the task or situation. The emotion may be fear of a difficult conversation going badly. Perhaps it’s the humiliation if you slip up while giving a speech. It may be a less rational emotion, such as having a fear of flying despite statistics showing air travel is much safer than driving. 

    Whatever the pain is, give it a visual in your mind, and ask it to envelop you. As it does, accept it eagerly with the belief it will bring something good. Focus your mind on that good as you move yourself through and out, thanking the pain as you go for what’s on the other side. 

    Regardless of the outcome, you’ll gain power in overcoming the mental block, which is a win in itself. That satisfaction will encourage you to use the tool again and again to the point where you will naturally welcome pain points. Meanwhile, you are moving forward, which is the force that drives life itself.

    Using this tool also builds your capacity for commitment, which is essential for  making meaningful, long-term changes. Take the authors’ example of a beat cop who had initially pursued his talent for writing in college, only to drop out. Storytelling remained his passion, as evidenced by his ability to keep listeners engaged in tales he shared at the bar after work. However, he had an aversion to the extra focus needed to commit those stories to writing. Using the tool to overcome his uncomfortable feelings about concentration, he finally reignited his writing ability and pursued the career he’d always wanted.

    While this tool helps overcome daunting situations, the next will help with difficult people.

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    What is The Tools about?

    The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity, and Willpower—and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion (2012) outlines five mental exercises to immediately tackle common challenges that may be holding you back in life. The coauthors are therapists and include patient cases and sketches to elaborate on how to use each tool. 

    The Tools Review

    The Tools (2012) is a practical and fascinating self-help book that provides concrete strategies for overcoming life's challenges and achieving personal growth. Here's why we think you should give it a read:

    • Offering a collection of practical exercises and techniques, the book equips readers with the tools needed to conquer obstacles and transform their lives.
    • By presenting real-life stories and case studies, it demonstrates the effectiveness of the tools, making it relatable and inspiring for readers.
    • With its engaging narrative and insightful perspectives, the book manages to captivate and hold the reader's attention, proving that personal development can be both exciting and beneficial.

    Who should read The Tools?

    • People seeking immediately actionable methods for life improvement
    • Those frustrated with traditional therapy
    • Anyone looking to interact more positively with other people

    About the Author

    Phil Stutz is a sought-after psychiatrist and coach who received his MD from New York University. In 2022, his pioneering therapeutic methods were the subject of actor Jonah Hill’s documentary Stutz. 

    Barry Michels is a psychotherapist practicing since 1986, with a BA from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of California Berkeley, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. He and Stutz have also coauthored the 2017 best seller Coming Alive. 

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    The Tools FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Tools?

    The main message of The Tools is that by using specific techniques and practices, we can overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.

    How long does it take to read The Tools?

    The reading time for The Tools will vary depending on the reader's pace. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.

    Is The Tools a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Tools is definitely worth reading as it provides practical tools and strategies for personal transformation and self-improvement.

    Who is the author of The Tools?

    The authors of The Tools are Phil Stutz and Barry Michels.

    What to read after The Tools?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Tools, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Coming Alive by Barry Michels and Phil Stutz
    • Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
    • Lessons for Living by Phil Stutz
    • The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
    • How to Know a Person by David Brooks
    • How Highly Effective People Speak by Peter Andrei
    • The Sleep Prescription by Aric Prather
    • The Negativity Fast by Anthony Iannarino