How a Single Book Changed my Life (or Will)

February 2, 2012

I’m an avid reader of books.

I read science fiction books. I read whatever Amazon’s website suggest I read. I read free books. I read paid books. I read soft skills related books (self-improvement, management, etc).

One of the latest books I read was The Flinch by Julien Smith. I came across it in Seth Godin’s The Domino Project. It is a free book there, but I would have happily paid for it.

I’ve read similar books before: those that tell you to do what you want to do, go with your passion. This one is a bit different. It sticks. I’ve finished it about a month ago and I still can’t let it go.

It starts innocently enough. Talks about the need to act. The flinch that holds us back. Gives a few homework tasks: I’ve nailed the first two rather easily – just take a shower in cold water and go break a cup. Mind you – I usually skip assignments that I find in books – it feels rather silly to me – like clapping your hands in a folk dancing routine (I don’t do that when I go folk dancing). But this book somehow compelled me to do things.

My problem started with the third assignment in the book. It’s rather simple really – strike a conversation with the next person you meet. Bam. I am stuck. Been trying to do it for the past month with no real luck. What can I say? I am an introvert.

Why I am writing this here? Because I have taken this as something I need to crack for myself. To be able to get past my flinch when talking to people.

And I will. One day.

My only suggestion here is for you to go and read this book. It’s free – and it is just a click away.

* If you’re looking for more books – here’s a list of books that left an impression on me.


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  1. I have the same trouble myself, accessing people just to talk to. Keith Ferrazzi “Never eat alone” book will give you all the advise how to do it.

  2. I have the same trouble myself, accessing people just to talk to. Keith Ferrazzi “Never eat alone” book will give you all the advise how to do it.

  3. Ori,

    Thanks for the recommendation – added it to my Amazon wish list. As I have about 50 more books to read on my Kindle, I am trying to refrain from buying additional ones as much as I can 🙂

    1. As though time is limited and these books have a lot of insight to teach us I really recommend to “read” them by listening to audiobooks.

      I am on average 1 hour on the road each day (~30 minutes each way). Plus the time I have in the supermarket, jogging etc it leads to ~9 hours a week.

      I managed to finish 12 books this way on 2011 and plan to enhance the number in 2012.

      I have a bunch of them, and would be happy to share.

  4. Ori,

    Thanks for the recommendation – added it to my Amazon wish list. As I have about 50 more books to read on my Kindle, I am trying to refrain from buying additional ones as much as I can 🙂

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