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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Excellent Advice for Living summary
Kevin Kelly
Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier
13 mins
Brief summary
Excellent Advice for Living by Kevin Kelly offers practical wisdom and valuable insights on how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. It provides timeless advice on personal growth, relationships, and finding purpose.
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Excellent Advice for Living
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Key idea 1 of 5
Excellent advice for relating
Unless you choose a monastic existence tucked away on some remote mountain, you’ll spend a significant slice of time interacting with your fellow human beings. As a result, learning how to relate well with others can make your path to a better life much smoother.
When you first meet a stranger, let them know you’ll remember their name. Making someone feel seen and heard is one of the greatest – and cheapest – gifts you can bestow. A simple way to do this is to include their name in your reply after they’ve introduced themselves. You could frame this as, “Nice to meet you, John,” or, “Hi, Maria.”
Conversely, when meeting someone for a second or third time, be gracious and introduce yourself to them again. A straightforward “Hi Anna, Kevin Kelly” is often all that’s needed.
To be an exceptional conversationalist, focus on listening – to the subtext just as much as the words themselves. Talk less than you feel tempted to. That’s usually the right amount.
When you do speak, make sure that what you say checks three criteria: it’s true, necessary, and kind. Life will become lighter if you prioritize being considerate over being correct in your conversations with others.
Finally, while generosity is a great virtue to pour into your relations with others, stinginess is best when accepting engagements and making promises. Ultimately, people would prefer you didn’t commit in the first place than have you say yes initially, only to pull out at the last minute. You can provide a reason if you’d like, but remember that a polite “no” is a perfectly valid response in and of itself.
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What is Excellent Advice for Living about?
Excellent Advice for Living (2023) is a collection of 450 aphorisms that will help you start living a better life. Covering everything from parenting and travel to survival and success, it invites you to pick and choose from a plentiful feast of bite-size wisdom.
Excellent Advice for Living Review
Excellent Advice for Living is a thought-provoking book by Kevin Kelly that offers valuable insights for leading a fulfilling life. Here's why it's worth reading:
- It presents a wide range of practical ideas that can be implemented in everyday life, helping readers navigate various aspects of their existence.
- With its rich research and personal stories from the author's own life, the book becomes relatable and inspires readers to reflect on their own experiences.
- The book's holistic approach addresses different areas, such as relationships, career, and personal growth, ensuring that there's something valuable for everyone.
Who should read Excellent Advice for Living?
- Young people entering college or the workforce
- Individuals starting – or looking to start – a family
- Older folks seeking a shot of inspiration
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Excellent Advice for Living FAQs
What is the main message of Excellent Advice for Living?
The main message of Excellent Advice for Living is to live a fulfilling and meaningful life by following practical and insightful advice.
How long does it take to read Excellent Advice for Living?
The estimated reading time for Excellent Advice for Living is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Excellent Advice for Living a good book? Is it worth reading?
Excellent Advice for Living is worth reading for its valuable insights and practical guidance. It offers wisdom that can enhance your life.
Who is the author of Excellent Advice for Living?
Kevin Kelly is the author of Excellent Advice for Living.
What to read after Excellent Advice for Living?
If you're wondering what to read next after Excellent Advice for Living, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher with Barbara Smith
- Unlearn by Humble the Poet
- Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson
- Factfulness by Hans Rosling
- Maps of Meaning by Jordan B. Peterson
- When You're Ready, This Is How You Heal by Brianna Wiest
- How to Decide by Annie Duke
- You Can Fix Your Brain by Tom O’Bryan
- The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest