Reinvent Yourself

Change is inevitable. Everything changes: Our relationships change. So do our lifestyles, endeavors, jobs, and the economy.When things don't go our way will we crumble? Will we continue feeling down and out, stuck, and frustrated?Or will we adapt and grow with change? Will we reinvent ourselves?Many times in my life I've felt stuck, had regrets for things I’ve done in the past, and worried about what’s next. I continually felt like I had no way to get out of the rut I was in.Every time I read James he gives such empowering insights and perspectives to help me with these challenges.James dives deep into these questions. He shares his entire process through personal story of how he reinvented himself and survived tumultuous change in his life.He shares his failed businesses, failed relationships, ups and downs, and what he felt during those times.He shares how he dug himself out. How he was able to reinvent himself. How he was able to find the blessings in disguise. That's where the real growth is.He shares his goldmine of knowledge through the incredible people he's studied, been connected with and interviewed like Mark Cuban, and many other successful entrepreneurs, writers, and artists.James is one of the most authentic and transparent writers I've ever read.Here’s 12 Things (among so many) I Learned From James in his excellent book!1. When I wake up in the morning, ask who can I help today? This is a super hero question. It can save the world. 1 person at a time.2. Don’t be sad when you fail, and don’t be happy when you succeed as you’re learning something new. Both are going to happen again and again at every new level.3. When you love something, and work at it, an instant community builds around you to protect you. You become something much bigger than yourself.4. Losses are the maps that point you to what you never knew before.5. Live like we are going to live forever. So we have all the time in the world to learn and live all of the things we love.6. The choices you make today will be in your biography tomorrow.7. When you compare, you despair.8. Have 3 kinds of mentor relationships –---A) Plus (someone better than you to guide you),---B) Equal (someone on your level to challenge you),---C) Minus (someone you mentor – you teach to eventually become a master)9. It’s ok to hit roadblocks and change directions as you reinvent yourself. Reinventing yourself many times makes your life a book of stories, instead of boring textbook.10. Don’t be creative for something to generate money. Instead be creative for the sake of it. For the bliss you find in it.11. How to gain skills in something you love: A) Read as many books as you possibly can on the subject B) Study your mistakes, don’t regret them. More mistakes you have is more opportunity to get better. C) Talk and surround yourself with people smarter than you12) When I go to bed at night, ask myself, who did I help today? This is a super hero question. It can save the world. 1 person at a time.Thank you James for bringing this book to the world!!

Beware before buying: At one point in the kindle version there seems to be a few missing words (see pic). At the very end of the paragraph it says “Come” but the rest of the few words are missing. I guess we will never know the important lesson from Wayne Dyer. I value the content of the book above the few mistakes that is why I have given this book 5 stars for content, but 4 stars for mistakes in Kindle version of the book. I don’t know if the paperback version has the same mistakes, but I would like it to be fixed.———————————————————————————————————————I must say I’m a huge Altucher fan. I don’t follow his blog, but I do love his podcasts and his book Choose Yourself was a huge success. If you haven’t read Choose Yourself I suggest you read that before you read this book. Altucher basically gave away Choose Yourself, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding that book. The book has great lessons, highly recommend it. Let me not waste anymore time and get into the review for this book.In Reinvent Yourself, Altucher maintains the same type of witty laid back writing that we saw in Choose Yourself. That being said, if you are a avid reader you may find that the book does have a few typos and errors, but it’s not overwhelming.He defines reinvention as 3 things:1. redefining freedom2. improving relationships3. Improving habitsKey Takeaways:1. the rich only get richer (Read Thomas Piketty's “Capital”)2. happiness comes from well being; increase your freedom, relationship, and competence3. we are influenced by everything4. Negotiation - Best part of the book in my opinion. He refers to many podcasts he has done, but I would’ve liked it if he had linked the podcast episodes.5. Listen, Observe, Be humble, be respectful, don’t be entitled, don’t be disappointedWhere I disagree with James Altucher- Altucher writes “You can’t rely on the government or educational institution.” Don’t get me wrong but for some people, especially “the rich” getting a college degree is not worth very much because one goes to college to get a job so that one can make money. If you’re rich you don’t need the money, so why waste money getting a college degree. However, if you are poor you need the college degree to basically assert your intelligence. Many poor people go to shabby schools where they learn nothing — the fault of our Education system. So, by going to a good or great college a poor person can basically say look I’m smart. Plus, without a degree no employer will give you a job. And if you’re “poor” and don’t have the proper connections you will not be getting that job without a degree.- Altucher writes “I’ve interviewed hundreds of people now on my podcast…But none them have done it for the money.” This is false. He has interviewed a couple, the Ikonns, who started a hair extension company when they were broke. They borrowed against their line of credit. The couples main reason for starting the company was that they saw a gap in the market that they thought they could fill and profit off of. Therefore, sorry Altucher, but money is the root of some reinventions.Overall, I believe the book has great content, however I think it just needs one more edit. I don’t think the book is ready for prime-time especially with the errors in the kindle version. It also has silly mistakes that can be corrected if someone edits this book one more time. I highly recommend reading this book, but I also recommend Altucher edit this book just one more time for the sake of the readers who are expecting something great.

Apesar de ser um compilado de posts, achei o livro muito inspiracional. Gosto do estilo sincero do James Altucher. Recomendo!

Reinventarse a uno mismo, profesional o personalmente, es algo complicado; incluso después de cambiar dos veces de país de residencia, es algo que sigue dándome respeto. Por eso me llamó la atención este libro, que le quita mucho hierro al asunto y aporta un buen puñado de claves para afrontar con éxito tu reinvención. Es verdad que algunas son demasiado buenrollistas para ponerlas en práctica (o quizás soy yo que estoy muy viejo para esas cosas), pero hay otras mucho más realistas que puedes utilizar para reinventarte con éxito. Por cierto que también es buena lectura si no quieres reinventarte y quedarte como estás; tiene tantos capítulos y pequeñas biografías de personajes relevantes que, como mínimo, aprenderás algo nuevo y quién sabe si te animará a dar el salto al vacío.

Ideas muy básicas,nada nuevo, pero algunos capítulos valieron la pena como el de Chaplin y el de Ghandi .El.titulo del libro le queda corto a las enseñanzas del autor

I was on the fence about James. I didn't see what all the fuss was about him, but I bought this book and gave it a chance. It will be a book I recommend to certain people, but it is a book everyone should read. Not only will you find some nuggets of wisdom, you will enjoy the way they are presented.

James Altucher is a phenomenal human being. He has been through it all! Reinvent yourself is a life-changing book!