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Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

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Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

#161

Post by Glench »

millzlane wrote: post #160
Glench wrote: post #72

Non-violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. After reading this book, the way I related and communicated with people completely changed. Concretely, right after I read it, a break up that would have been very tense for me became straightforward and peaceful. Also, using NVC techniques, a fight with my friend got transformed into both of us getting tearful and pulling over the car to hug each other because we felt…

There is a video of this seminar online "The basics of non-violent communication. Very Eye opening. Very helpful for relationships with those that we love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LuPCAh9FCc

But more importantly, it's very helpful for those we don't have affinities for!

Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

#167

Post by anthony_franco »

abdullahkhalids wrote: post #105
anthony_franco wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you interview people about the type of problems they deal with day to day then you start to get tons of ideas. That’s how I started.

The problem isn't to find problem for which you can start a business. The problem is to find a problem for which you can start an automated business. That's much harder.

Every business can be automated. Just find good people to run it for you.

Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

#168

Post by anthony_franco »

pier25 wrote: post #142
anthony_franco wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It took me about four years. It would've been faster if I knew then what I know now.

Go on...

I could write a whole book on what I’ve learned :) As can any other business owner I think. But I’d be happy to chat with anyone wanting advice.

Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

#169

Post by Thersites »

hazz99 wrote: post #133
tbjohnston wrote: post #50

1. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - practical advice on how to arm yourself every day. 2. Man's Search for Meaning by Frankl - no matter how bad you think you have it, it can be worse, and you can find meaning. 3. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen - it's the journey (not the destination) and pay attention!

I tried getting through Meditations, but I couldn't. Maybe I'm more used to long-form writings, rather than the short paragraphs? I could read them, but I felt like they didn't "sink in", even if I felt they were profound at the time.

I don't know which translation you read, but maybe give the Gregory Hayes version a chance. It is more recent and more straightforward, less stylized in terms of phrasing. I felt that the language got in the way less when reading it.

Re: Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?

#170

Post by bytematic »

ioddly wrote: post #156
hazz99 wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried getting through Meditations, but I couldn't. Maybe I'm more used to long-form writings, rather than the short paragraphs? I could read them, but I felt like they didn't "sink in", even if I felt they were profound at the time.

It's actually his personal diary, written often while he was on campaign. From that perspective I think it's impressive how insightful he managed to be in short bursts. But if you are looking for something more long-form, you might try Seneca's Letters or Epictetus Discourses.

Do we know he wasn't just practicing philosophy by writing down what he heard others say?
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