(Review via www.MasculineBooks.com)
When the Table of Contents for Gorilla Mindset was first released, I was a bit disappointed. Everything was Mindset, Mindset, Mindset. I felt that the book was going to be too much fluff, and not enough substance—it was quite the opposite.
Although the first few chapters on subjects like self-talk and framing we’re a bit harder to grasp, as the book went on everything began to come together.
Then it hit me: Everything is Mindset!
This is why Mike employed chapter titles such as:
Mindset is a Body: Health & Fitness
Mindset is Posture
The Money Mindset
How you perceive your ‘Health, Wealth, and Freedom’ is all derived from your mindset towards these things. And the proper mindset to have towards these subjects is the ‘Gorilla Mindset’, one of unapologetic masculinity, discipline, and hard work.
Why This Book is Different
As you may know, I loathe generic self-help books. The writing is hackneyed fluff, and does nothing for the reader.
Gorilla Mindset, however, is not a self-help book. It’s a “How-To” book, as the book’s description states. For example, you’ll learn how to use self-talk to become more aware of the present moment:
Checking in will help you be more aware of your emotions and will make even challenging or mundane challenges more fulfilling and meaningful.”
Although the concept of self-talk is a bit ‘weird’ as Mike points out, it’s essentially a way of stopping any emotional momentum from taking full steam. Instead of succumbing to a fit of rage, you can engage in self-talk to take back control of the situation.
How I feel is a choice I make in the present moment.” Do not passively accept whatever emotional state happens to affect your body.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this book are the exercises listed after each chapter. My favorite exercise was visualizing the perfect day. This really put things in perspective for me, so that I know exactly what to focus on and what to discard.
The Mind-Body Connection
What virtually all traditional self-help books ignore is the importance of the body, and how it is tied in with the mind. Mike makes a point to note this, and discusses how closely intertwined the two are. For example, if your diet is terrible and you never exercise, there’s no way you’re going to feel positive and energetic day in and day out.
I also loved the chapter on posture. Although I was familiar with it from some Danger&Play articles on the subject, this was a good refresher of the exercises. In fact, I started implementing them in my morning routine, throughout my work day, and I even rigged a standing desk so I don’t have to sit all the time (I used a wicker basket trash can on a desk, ha!).
How to Read This Book
I love it when I get an amazing book and just can’t put in down. Gorilla Mindset was one of those books, however, I had to force myself to put it down.
Why?
This is a workbook, not a lecture.
Treat it as such.
I started out reading just one chapter at a time. I’d read the entire chapter, go back a few pages and re-read the ‘Practice’ and then do the exercise if I found it relevant. Later on I dropped this and just read several chapters each sitting. However, to get the most out of this book take it slow.
In fact, in a few weeks I plan on going back and reading it again: Slowly, really digesting the material and putting things into practice.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot more content that is covered in Gorilla Mindset, but focusing on it too much takes away from the fact that you actually need to put in work through the exercises. Whether you’ve never heard of Danger&Play or have been reading it for years, you should absolutely read this book, as it will put what you’ve read over the years into perspective.
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Reviews with images
It seemed like a re-hashing of select danger and play articles
I've known about Mike for a while. I posted on the same internet forum he used to frequent and was a regular visitor to danger and play. I originally was going to give this book a 3 star review. After my first quick read through, I didn't find anything remarkably new or revolutionary. It seemed like a re-hashing of select danger and play articles. I stowed the book away and continued down my reading list. However, I had several respected friends that wouldn't stop talking about how much of an impact Gorilla Mindset was making on their lives. I decided to give it another try. I read it a second time and then a third. It started to sink in. I realized Mike's content wasn't the issue, it was me. If you're an aware type A person, it's very easy to fall down the rabbit hole of reading self-improvement books but never changing your behavior. Your evaluation shifts from one of finding quality actionable advice to collecting and hoarding novelties, theories, and hacks. You have to be receptive and action-oriented to squeeze the most utility out of Gorilla Mindset.Below are some of the practices I've implemented because of Gorilla Mindset:-Morning routine of contrast shower, abundance stretches, and 5 minutes of visualizing my future immediate goals using all 5 sense if possible-Longer visualization sessions about my perfect day/perfect life. This is a great way to have a dialogue with yourself about want you actually want. It's shocking but I often get so lost in the rat race that I neglect to ask myself what I want, which leads you to make decisions for others and not yourself.-Being aware of self-talk. I self-talk, either vocally or in my head, every day and I rarely ever label it as self-talk. Without labeling it you can't control it. Once you realize you're self-talking you can guide it down a different path or change the conversation.-Having a mantra. Mine personally is "leap, and the net will appear". Repeating this to myself at stressful times has led to action over procrastination.There are a lot more but I encourage you to buy the book and find out for yourself!
Top reviews from other countries
Glauber Cardoso de Oliveira
Pragmatic and concise book
Reviewed in Brazil on January 27, 2020RENE FAJER CRUZ
El libro que me faltaba leer
Reviewed in Mexico on November 14, 2017
