Book Review: Mindset

To recap, I started reading a variety of books to help me deal with a case of postpartum anxiety. These reviews are short. Their goal is to direct you toward the best of the lot. All of the links are to Amazon (I am not an affiliate, so I earn nothing).

These books are fascinating to me. I thought I'd learn just one thing but it's been so much more. My favorite of this grouping is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

This is crazy interesting. Have you ever truly thought about how we form habits? Or the plethora of things that can become a habit? Or why you can revert back to a bad habit despite your best intentions? There's so much in here. You will look at everything you do in a whole new light. Seriously.

I recommend this book if you want to understand how much power you have to change your life.

Photo Source: Amazon

The Science of Success by Wallace D. Wattles
​Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen -- free and a fast read.
The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

All of these were written awhile ago. "Ago" being several decades to a century. Be forewarned that the language might offend or annoy.

The concept in each is the same. Nightingale summed it up the best in 6 words: YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT.

That concept is powerful. If you think your life is controlled by things that happen to you, it will be. If you want to change your life, you can. Whatever you think about becomes your reality.

It's worth noting here that what others think of you is NOT YOUR REALITY. You must define yourself and dream your own dreams if you want to achieve them.

Lastly, and of extreme importance, you must understand that thoughts without corresponding action result in no change. You have to take a step toward fulfilling your dream rather than simply dreaming.

So, when it comes to books about mindset and the mental aspects of life, my top pick is The Power of Habit followed by As A Man Thinketh. The key takeaways from all the books are:
1. Habits are fluid
2. You can develop new, better habits with persistence
3. Don't solely dream. Take action to achieve your dreams
4. Small victories will keep you on the path toward your dream.

This series of books helped me re-establish the confidence to slowly move toward the life I know I want--one without lots of needless stress and time to enjoy my family. I stopped trying to do multiple extra things every day. Instead I made a single goal for the day and pursued just that one goal. 

I've learned to welcome the tortoise in me. The side effect is that, when it comes time to work on that one goal, I can focus and be done quickly--very much like the hare. And it's really just been a mental exercise. I think through what I'm going to do more fully than I used to.