Click here to see my review on Goodreads. ♡
*This book was kindly sent to me by Alex Neumann in exchange for an honest review.
I recently go contacted by Alex Neumann, the author of Harness the Power of the Invincible Mind who kindly sent me a paperback version of his book. I was a little afraid in the beginning as to me, self-help books are all one or the other. This one was actually very interesting (4 stars, you guessed it!) and I would like to share with you a little more about it.
A rather short book everyone can read.
The book runs on a little bit less than 200 pages, which is quite « normal » for a self-help book. I like it because I tend to get bored when self-help books are 300+ pages: I do not really know why, but it just happens. Thus, I think the size of this one is perfect: long enough to convey its message (we will go back to the message later in the review) but short enough not to get boring.
I can’t, however, not tell you that the « format » of the book surprised me. This is actually the only « negative » point I will give to it, even though it is only my thoughts and can totally be different for you. The chapters are indeed subdivided in subchapters, which is fine (you know how much I love organization!) but my problem is that paragraphs are… really short. I mean, paragraphs take around three lines and then, there is a little blank space and the next paragraph starts. Personally, I would have organized the paragraphs differently, maybe using less paragraphs and packing similar ideas together. It Is obviously not a « big » problem as it did not prevent me from enjoying the book but my academic brain is just too focused on the form of books not to mention it in the review.
An interesting way to convey a message: from the particular to the general.
Let’s go back to what I like because I love writing about it far more than about what I like less. I really enjoyed how the author demonstrated his point by using particular experiences. He talks about one to three celebrities (Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan etc.) and then takes a universal tip out of their experience. I found that really interesting as, first, he uses people who succeeded in different realms (so that everyone can relate to at least one example) and then, it helps make the whole book less theoretical, something I have a problem with in most self-help books.
Using folklore and stories to convey the message.
His other way to convey his messages is using little proverbs and stories coming from different countries, which I really enjoyed. It is a way to change a little bit from people’s experience and make it all a little bit « lighter » and more digest. We really feel by reading all of these stories that this book is a summary of the author’s life experiences, which I found really interesting in itself. You have understood it: one of the goals of the book is to share one point of view created through one lifetime.
Debunking market success.
Last but not least, I would like to talk about the « message » of the book. There are many « submessages » that I will not cover with you today but one of the things I loved is that the main message is really connected to my own beliefs.
The book redefines « success » by showing that « market success » is a fallacy. I can’t tell you it is an ode to minimalism, it would be false and just an interpretation, but at least it debunks the myth of « earning more to be happier ». It is my kind of self-help book, a book that does not get into the « Hustle society ». Reading this book is a good way to be reminded of what is important (and what Is not).
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I would say that what I love even more than this « non-hustle » related vision of success is the honesty of the author. Usually, when a book goes against the « hustle society », we are told that living naked in the forest is the solution. Even though you can totally choose to live naked in a forest somewhere, I do not think it is relatable for most people. What I love here is that the author says clearly that money is important, but explains why it should not be at the core of our definition of « success ».
The recurring idea of the author is « shake it off and step up! », a sentence you will understand form the very beginning of the book. Basically, you need to learn to use adversity and hardships in order to build your success. You can’t just be « born successful » and you need to change your mindset: failure and adversity aren’t a problem, they are a way (to get better).
The English-speaking Frenchie 