Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life

What a great read! I got his next book too

This is one of the better motivational books I've read. Makes getting out of your head achievable and real. Read it in 4 sittings and already started to take action.

I met Gary back in September of 2012 when he led a seminar I was at. He is an incredible human being with a heart for people, and is willing to say whatever needs to be said so that people own there power and take on life. This book is direct, insightful, and cuts to the main issues that all people face when they are stopped in life. More importantly, it gives actionable steps to address and breakthrough to the new life you always wanted. The book covers nine chapters with tools to reshape your view of yourself and the world, and inspire you to take action. One of my favorite chapters, Chapter 6, "I am not my thoughts, I am what I do" points to the truth of the matter that actions are what make any real difference. And taking new action is actually the way to create new thought patterns, not the other way around. Although some of what he writes may be confronting, it will definitely get you thinking in a new way and have you up off your butt and going for what you want. It was definitely a wake up call for me! All in all, a great book that is a quick, powerful read. And can be referred to over and over again if need be for a refreshing pick me up. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will refer back to it often as I apply, and take action to create the life I want for myself. Thanks Gary!

What I like about this book: Most of Bishop's advice is solid and makes a lot of sense. His concepts around creating the reality you want by changing your inner dialogue are helpful, and having that advice repeated throughout the book certainly helps to drive the point home. The friend who suggested this audiobook told me that she loves his Scottish accent, so that's a minor plus, too! Hearing the advice (which, basically, could be boiled down to "stop getting in your own way and just do the f-ing thing already!") in so many different ways is probably helpful for making the information accessible to as many people as possible. What I don't like about this book: Does Bishop really need to use being fat as a negative? This is not a minor detail–– he repeats the notion that being fat = being unhappy with your body and unable to be attractive SEVERAL times throughout this book. I pressed the "skip" button past these moments. It's outdated and offensive to use this stereotype as a way to illustrate points. Additionally, there is a lot of the same information and I imagine it could feel repetitive for some. Finally, as with "You Are a Badass," the concept of the "tough love" self coach who's super cool because they curse? I mean... It's a bit tired. A little cheesy. Kind of feels like your dad throwing you a "hang ten" hand signal as he drives off in his PT Cruiser. Overall, I absolutely would recommend this book to someone looking for good advice and something to help them reframe their mindset into something more productive. I'd also recommend remembering that thinking any type of body is less-than is actually a really great way to make you feel negatively about yourself. Give up the body hate, Bishop, and I'd be totally accepting of your Cool Dad brand.

Outstanding book. Straight forward, concise and quick to read. I have read it four times and listened to it on Audio twice. Audio version is read by the author, his Scottish accent elevates the experience to a new level. The title might make you think Bishop is an outlandish, loudmouth, but this is not the case. Positive thinking and meditation are all well and good, but until you take action nothing happens.

Great book

I am going to dare to be critical whilst still awarding a 3-star review. In summary, this is a great introduction to an assortment of philosophical ideals: some that have been around since the ancient Greeks and some being developed in the modern age: existentialism, stoicism, epistemology, ontology, etc. For those not versed in philosophy, many of these ideas may be new and interesting. Unfortunately, Gary doesn't reference some of these philosophies for your further reading but this is understandable as his focus is on coaching you to overcome yourself not to be a literary scholar. For little more than ~$10 and a few hours of reading, give it a shot and see if you learn something. As much as I am going to be critical, the book has its utility and will be useful to some of its readers, so who am I to tell you not to read it? You should read everything and challenge it--the pursuit of knowledge means to never stop engaging in the dialogue. One of my biggest gripes with this text is that Gary seems to contradict himself throughout it and complicates his overall message. He is adamant that this is not another self-help book that focuses on positive thinking; however, it is one of the first concepts he introduces. In sum, he teaches that assertive language affects emotions, feelings, and ultimately decision making and that one should engage in healthy inner dialogue. He also later bashes the quote, "Change your thoughts, change your life," calling it bullsh*t. Where he is attempting to go with this is to say that actions speak louder than words and no matter what you think, unless you take action, your life will not change. Okay, this is fine but he took a six-word quote and said it was invalid over the course of ~200 pages. The problem is that he views ideas singularly and criticizes them in isolation; however, if you took any one of his chapters singularly, it would contradict his overall philosophy. For instance, positive self-talk is useless without his later instructions on asserting and acting on them. Overall, I think the overt criticism of other ideas throughout the text followed up with very similar approaches hurt the message Gary was trying to send to his readers. You may find yourself confused or frustrated without having a deeper understanding of some of the philosophies on which Gary touches. In the end, Gary pulls it together but it may take a while to see the differences he is attempting to portray--the book could have been more concise and focused. Another gripe would be that on page 21 he tells you that if you are easily offended not to read his book and to give it away immediately. The very next page he claims, "I have designed this book to be as accessible and useful to as many people as possible." Really, is anyone proof-reading this thing? Look, if you're going to be a self-help coach how can you tell the people who may need to hear your words the most, to shove off? This move was very Nietzsche-esque in that he believed he was a writer for everyone and yet no one at the same time. But Nietzsche was writing critical philosophy and engaging his own ideas--he wasn't writing it for them and that's why he didn't care if anyone read what he wrote. Gary, is writing for the people who he believes need help--that is his profession. So why scare away people who need the help? TLDR: This book is a bit all over the place but does come together in a way that you will be able to understand by the end. If you are not well versed in philosophy and psychology, give it a go as it won't cost you an arm and a leg or too much of your time. Gary, I think you're doing good work but would encourage you to collaborate with some colleagues on condensing your thesis. I would also advise you to encourage your readers/clients while staying true to your no-bullsh*t approach as these do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Muy buen libro súper recomendado

Practical, to the point and no more BS approach. Highly recommended to be true to myself in the ways in which I am limiting myself.

This ain't a motivational book. It's thoughtful and full of practical approaches to change habits and eventually life.

This book is a life lesson and growth. Must have

Uncertain is where you can grow beautiful executed and put in a simple way to understand. This author has a writing skill that speaks to you. You are your actions. There are so many thoughts provoking topics It truly is a great read.