Summary/thoughts:
Ikigai was really just a collection of Sebastian Marshall’s blog posts, ordered in a way that made sense and outlined a bit about himself as well as his philosophy and some fun history lessons. While there was a lot of stuff it that didn’t resonate with me, this book did have an incredibly important affect on my future reading. It made me realize that I need to start focusing on history and biography literature more, and the over repeated business stuff less. The other thing I’m starting to realize is that I really need to find some people I consider peers. I want some fact based, rational thinkers with the drive to press forward. Reached out to author about this.
Worth rereading?: Yes
Important Take Aways:
- Become a creator in everyday possible: “if you have a sincere interest, then why not try to write an analysis or critique or user guide or quick-start manual or observations or … something?”
- Consciously decide to pursue wealth and power. These are virtuous things, and there are unlimited amounts of them available. Do it honorably.
- Go somewhere, cafe maybe, Take Notebook, pen, paper, coffee. Write “What do I want” on the top, underline it sit there, stare at the page, write it all down. No judging, no holds barred, just write
- Always work on the big creative project first that require mental energy and give forward momentum
- Stop letting people haggle with me. Just tell them no, it always pisses me off and they’re usually the worst clients.
- Get Better about just saying what I think. Stop censoring myself for the sake of others.
- Don’t get in arguments with Peasants. <– Sounds horrible, but really not as bad as the title. Maybe Sebastian has some copywriter in him, hell of a title for link bait.
Further reading:
Critical Conversations
Derek Sivers’s “Obvious to you. Amazing to others” post
Donald Trump’s “Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life”
Winning Through Intimidation” by Robert Ringer
“Pitch Anything” by Oren Klaff,
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance? by Lou Gerstner.
http://grumomedia.com/5-steps-that-will-help-you-discover-your-true-passion/.
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.
Lone Wolf and Cub.
“An Introduction to Cyclothymia” or declaring war on the publishing industry in, “An Open Letter to Simon and Schuester CEO Carolyn Reidy.”
Research/lookup:
General Washington, President Jefferson, Judd Weiss, Shoguns Ieyasu and Yoshimune, Emperors Meiji and Augustus. Miyamoto Musashi, Adam Smith, and Carl von Clauswitz.
Ramit Sethi wrote a great post about this—”Barriers are your enemy”—worth reading for more examples on eating healthier and managing finances.
Quotes:
“Action. Then details. Remember that. Action first. Then details. Action.”
Surprisingly good way of making a review of a book.
>While there was a lot of stuff it that didn’t resonate with me
Could you expand on that?
So this actually the way I take notes on non-fiction books that I feel are worth reviewing later. Glad you like it! As for the things that didn’t resonate with me…
I really didn’t touch on that in the post because the book was fantastic and it’s really just a difference in values between myself and him. Sebastian’s goal in life seems to be to build an amazing dynasty and ensure the existence of the human race, both hugely commendable, but neither are goals I share(Not that I want the human race to end, just that I’m not focused on ensuring it’s existence). Sebastian mentioned he would rather die than be average, I would much rather be average. My goals at this point in my life don’t necessarily align with his when he wrote those posts. That’s not to say that I think mine are right and his are wrong, just that we’re chasing after different flavors of pie.