How To Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big Kind Of The Story Of My Life
by Scott Adams · first published 2013
80% recommend20% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A concise, well-written memoir framed as life advice. It introduces ideas like thinking in systems rather than goals, and it is a quick read suited to anyone seeking practical productivity and mindset takeaways.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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> I like books which are sort of lessons within a biography format. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life (Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert) also fits this description.
on “The first non-bullshit book about culture I've read” ↗…Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness - if you're into meditation, I think this is the book to get. I started out with Headspace and this book takes it to the next level. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life - This was an entertaining book on how Scott Adams failed and succeeded. He gives some practical tips on what he did to get to where he is. Of course, there is survivorship bias, but I found some of it…
on “Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?” ↗There's a bit more detail in his book but this first resonated with me when I read Scott Adams' "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life". Here are some of his blog posts on it: https://www.scottadamssays.com/2013/11/18/goals-vs-systems/ https://www.scottadamssays.com/2014/01/21/goals-are-for-lose... Personally, I don't really think…
on “You Are Not ‘Behind’ (2016)” ↗That's my worry too. Since you mentioned the latest book by Scott Adams, it's called "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life" [0]. I read it recently and I think it's a good book. It has some nonobvious ideas, like systems thinking vs. goal-oriented thinking. [0] - http://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-ebook...
on “The War on Terror's Jedi Mind Trick” ↗I would say 3 books did it for me: 1. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott adams http://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-ebook... 2. Choose Yourself! - James Altucher http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Yourself-James-Altucher-ebook/d... 3. Anti Fragile -Nassim…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2013?” ↗Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World by Peter H. Diamandis, Steven Kotler -- a solid, thought provoking, yet quick easy read > http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609444-bold How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big : Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams -- I love anyone who asserts "passion is bullshit", this a surprisingly enjoyable read on many levels.> http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17859574-how-to-fail-at-a...
on “Ask HN: What are your recommended books from 2015” ↗In a similar vein on systems & processes & routines, another good book is How To Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big: Kind Of The Story Of My Life by Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert). It's been one of my favorite reads this year & I keep regularly reviewing the notes I took.
on “Ask HN: How do you motivate yourself?” ↗How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams. An extremely concise life advice book. Doesn't wander around ideas. Well-written. Of all 'self-help' books I have read, this is the only I truely recommend.
on “Ask HN: What are good resources for life advice?” ↗Thinking of working with systems rather than towards goals. I got this idea from How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COOFBA4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... Learning to type - Enhanced productivity https://hkelkar.com/2014/03/02/learn-to-type-before-you-lear... Writing a blog has been extremely…
on “Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?” ↗How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life. This is Scott adams take on being successful. http://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-ebook... Choose yourself is a similar themed book. http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Yourself-James-Altucher-ebook/d...…
on “Ask HN: Best books/tutorials you read in 2013?” ↗I'm reading How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams and I'm about to start The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. I'm also reading again Comme un roman by Danil Pennac, a beautiful essay about the joys of reading.
on “Ask HN: What books are you reading?” ↗"your job is not your job; your job is to find a better job." Adams, Scott. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life (p. 31).
on “Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?” ↗The almost-autobiography of Scott Adams is literally titled “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life”
on “Let there be more biographies of failures” ↗