The Rock Warrior's Way
by Arno Ilgner · first published 2003
86% recommend14% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A mental training book for climbers that examines ego, comfort zones and self-worth. Its lessons on facing hard, uncertain situations extend beyond climbing to anyone improving at a craft.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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The Rock Warrior's Way: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Warriors-Way-Training-Climbers/d... Nominally about rock climbing, but really a study of the ego, why we invest so much effort in protecting it, and how little we get for…
on “Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?” ↗The Rock Warrior's Way: Mental Training for Climbers. Surprisingly applicable to non-climbers. It is for anyone trying to get better at their craft.
on “Ask HN: Which are the most interesting books you have read in 2022?” ↗Leftfield, but I recommend a book “the rock warrior’s way”. It is about mental training for climbers... which is all about facing uncontrollably hard, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations, and thriving in them. As well as other suggestions in…
on “Ask HN: Tips for handling chronic stess?” ↗…self-control and willpower works and overcome it: - The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It - McGonigal 5. Strengthening your mind: - The Rock Warrior's Way: Mental Training For Climbers - A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting 6. Find famous people in history you admire and feel you can relate with, and read their biographies.…
on “How to become a Good Theoretical Physicist” ↗Paraphrasing "The Rock Warrior's Way" (_the_ book on mental training for rock climbers, IMO) the comfort zone is where your Ego wants to keep you, because you won't fail and you won't let yourself down. The only way to improve yourself is…
on “You have a comfort zone; even if you are a rebel, challenge it” ↗…climbing podcasts where they interview Trevor Ragan - the guy behind it - that I much prefer to the articles) there is another active choice you could do and that'd be reading the first few chapters of The Rock Warrior's Way which talks a lot about how _not_ to derive a sense of personal worth based on how your performance is perceived by external parties. Lastly, and this cannot be done actively, eventually, you might find…
on “Ask HN: How do you not take criticism of your work personally?” ↗So much for my focus; I'm only five paragraphs in and already my mind is wandering to "hmm, attention, this reminds me of 'The Rock Warrior's Way' which itself draws from Carlos Castaneda's 'The Teachings of Don Juan', and oh crap, I haven't finished that book either . . . " ETA: I'll leave these for the curious: > "Proper use of attention, in…
on “How we pay attention changes the shape of our brains” ↗