My Book Review of “Mind Shift: It Doesn’t Take a Genius to Think Like One” by Erwin Raphael McManus
All Books on my Bookshelf by Erwin McManus:
Notable Quotes
“Life is about relationships. Even when you have all the possessions, you desire and have experienced every great adventure, broken relationships will steal the joy from it all. The greatest mistakes you will ever make will not cost you money; they will cost you people.” page 26
“When you make a commitment to show up for yourself, you’ll be surprised how many people show up for you.” page 37
“If the hardest seasons of my life have taught me one thing about the complex reality of relationships, it is this: You can’t take everyone with you. Choose people who choose the future, Choose friends who are committed to living at the highest level, and who will challenge you to do the same.” page 48
“You must become the proof of the validity of your vision. Don’t wait for the crowd to cheer you on. Don’t wait for the applause, Don’t wait for everyone to understand what you’re doing. Just go and eat the mushroom. Eventually, when everyone is sitting around enjoying their salads, they will thank you for the shiitakes.” page 57
“Talent moves fast and burns like a high-octane fuel. Character, on the other hand, prepares you for the long journey ahead. Becoming the number one draft pick is overrated. It’s way better to finish first. It’s even more important to finish well.
Talent is a hallucinogen. Character keeps it real.” page 76
“The truth is, no matter what direction you choose for your life, on the first day, you are not qualified to do that job. But that does not make you an impostor. It simply makes you a beginner. It’s what you do after you start that matters.” page 79
“To understand forgiveness as a strength is one of the most powerful mind shifts you will ever make. Forgiveness is not an emotion. Forgiveness is an art form. It is the most elegant expression of love. Forgiveness requires a level of mastery that very few ever attain. It is the highest level of thinking when it comes to human relationships and the health of your own soul, and it’s the only way to keep your negative experiences from writing the story of who you become.” page 92
I really appreciate his ability to clearly communicate his message. I’ve now read three of his books and have a good feel for his style. Mind Shift doesn’t disappoint. In it, he shares 12 “mind shifts” which, when practiced, will change how you see yourself and the world around you. With these new perspectives, you will move beyond your limiting beliefs and you will have the mindset you need to be all that God created you to be.
Some of these “mind shifts” aren’t necessarily original but McManus has a way of articulating words and phrases through personal anecdotes and stories that will give you clarity and a better understanding of things you might already know. For example, his first “mind shift” is, “It’s All About People.” This chapter ends with this:
“Life is about relationships. Even when you have all the possessions, you desire and have experienced every great adventure, broken relationships will steal the joy from it all. The greatest mistakes you will ever make will not cost you money; they will cost you people.” page 26
Here is the chapter list for the book. Each chapter is dedicated to a single mind shift.
- Mind Shift #0: Change Your Mind
- Mind Shift #1: It’s All About People
- Mind Shift #2: You Don’t Need an Audience
- Mind Shift #3: You Can’t Take Everyone With You
- Mind Shift #4: They Won’t Get It Until You Do It
- Mind Shift #5: You Are Your Own Ceiling
- Mind Shift #6: Talent Is a Hallucinogen
- Mind Shift #7: No One Knows What They Are Doing
- Mind Shift #8: Bitterness, and Other Poisons That Will Kill You
- Mind Shift #9: You Find What You Are
- Mind Shift #10: Be Average (At Almost Everything)
- Mind Shift #11: Success Weighs More Than Failure
- Mind Shift #12: There Is No Such Thing as Too Much of a God Thing
You might surmise from the chapter titles exactly what each mind shift is, but some aren’t exactly what the title suggests. McManus does a great job of explaining these ideas, even when you think you know what he initially means, he leads you to some conclusions that might surprise you. They’ll definitely inspire you.
That’s why this book is beneficial. It’s a great reminder of things we probably know but haven’t prioritized as well as an introduction to a few key “mind shifts” that could make a significant positive change for all of us if we are able to apply them to our lives. Read this book. More than that, let the ideas marinate and simmer and then start applying them to your life. You won’t regret it.
Notable Quotes
“When you make a commitment to show up for yourself, you’ll be surprised how many people show up for you.” page 37
“If the hardest seasons of my life have taught me one thing about the complex reality of relationships, it is this: You can’t take everyone with you. Choose people who choose the future, Choose friends who are committed to living at the highest level, and who will challenge you to do the same.” page 48
“You must become the proof of the validity of your vision. Don’t wait for the crowd to cheer you on. Don’t wait for the applause, Don’t wait for everyone to understand what you’re doing. Just go and eat the mushroom. Eventually, when everyone is sitting around enjoying their salads, they will thank you for the shiitakes.” page 57
“Talent moves fast and burns like a high-octane fuel. Character, on the other hand, prepares you for the long journey ahead. Becoming the number one draft pick is overrated. It’s way better to finish first. It’s even more important to finish well.
Talent is a hallucinogen. Character keeps it real.” page 76
“The truth is, no matter what direction you choose for your life, on the first day, you are not qualified to do that job. But that does not make you an impostor. It simply makes you a beginner. It’s what you do after you start that matters.” page 79
“To understand forgiveness as a strength is one of the most powerful mind shifts you will ever make. Forgiveness is not an emotion. Forgiveness is an art form. It is the most elegant expression of love. Forgiveness requires a level of mastery that very few ever attain. It is the highest level of thinking when it comes to human relationships and the health of your own soul, and it’s the only way to keep your negative experiences from writing the story of who you become.” page 92
Synopsis
Mind Shift: It Doesn’t Take a Genius to Think Like One
Mental toughness, mental clarity, and mental health all have one thing in common: The journey begins in your mind. In this radical guide, the award-winning author of The Last Arrow illuminates a surprising path toward personal fulfillment and optimal performance.
“Erwin McManus is the most brilliant thinker I’ve ever met.”—fourteen-time bestselling author Jon Gordon
See my own review here: Kevin's Review of Mind Shift by Erwin McManus
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All Erwin McManus Books on my Bookshelf:
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