Some time back, I came across and interesting set of posts on Nextbigwhat with book recommendations by founders of top Indian tech startups. There are some really interesting recommendations, do check out the post.
One book that most people recommended was Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. I vaguely remembered the name from a pretty popular TED talk I watched a while back. When I read more about him, I got to know that Tim’s a pretty successful early-stage investor and a fairly prolific content-churner – with multiple bestsellers to his credit along with podcasts, blogs etc. I thought it’ll be a good book to pick up and read during the downtime around year end and it turned out to be a good choice.
Tools of Titans is basically a collection of inputs & insights from Tim’s conversations with achievers from different fields (technology, health & science, sports, entertainment and even navy seals) categorised into 3 sections – Healthy, Wealthy & Wise for health, money & general well-being respectively. These conversations are interspersed with Tim’s own inputs on different things. The good thing about the book is that it doesn’t come across as preachy and has some practical and real life insights from a wide range of people.
The book is like a buffet meal, one can start from anywhere and read how much ever one wants. I wouldn’t say that I read the book cover to cover fully absorbed in each page, it was more of flipping through the pages and then focusing on something if I found the person or the points being discussed interesting.
Here are some key takeaways for me from the book, not in any particular order. These are top of mind and those that stuck with me, there are a lot more
- Importance of a morning ritual/routine
Most people featured in the book have a particular morning ritual or a routine which they’ve regularly followed for many years. It could be a set of exercises, doing meditation, going for a run, writing down things for the day or just saying some words of gratitude. What one does in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day and hence, beginning the morning on a good note is important. I’ve been exercising regularly in the mornings for a few months now (yes, yes) and can really feel the positive impact it has had.
- Importance of gratitude and wishing well for others
A lot of times, one gets so lost in the day to day humdrum striving to do/get more that one doesn’t value what one already has. Also, we have such limited time and attention that we don’t give a good thought to what people we’re dealing with are going through. Practicing empathy and wishing well for others just gives a very positive feel to how one looks at things.
- Importance of note-taking/journaling
Most people mentioned in the book have a strong habit of writing down things – notes from what’s happening in their life, new ideas, or just writing things to keep their creative juices flowing. I’ve experienced over and over again that writing helps me feel quite refreshed and acts as a good stress-buster. The author, Tim Ferriss, himself is a voracious note-taker and does the Five Minute Journal.
Here are some other quick notes, or quotes rather, I put down while going through the book:
- The secret is to show up, do the work and go home. A blue collar work ethic married to indomitable will.
- Cultivating a beginner’s mind
- Be so good they can’t ignore you
- Don’t overestimate people on pedestals
- Lack of time is lack of priorities
- We are whatever we pretend to be
- Investing in yourself is the most important investment you’ll ever make
- The quality of your life is the quality of your questions
- If you want a prime time life, you’ve got to prime daily
- If you would not want to be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.
- Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious
Some book recommendations by people featured in the book:
- Joy On Demand – Chade Meng
- Mingyur Rinpoche – The Joy of Living
- Standing Up: A Comic’s Life
- Anything You Want – Derek Sivers
- Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger
- Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins
- Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Franklin
- The Fourth Turning – William Strauss
- Mindset – Carol Dweck
- As a man thinketh – James Allen
- The Second World War – John Keegan
I found the book to be really good and highly recommend picking up a copy!
Nikhil Kulkarni 