Useful Not True
by Derek Sivers
Sivers's most philosophical book: almost nothing people say is strictly true, so choose beliefs by whether they are useful; reframe, adopt the perspective that makes you act well, and drop it when it stops working. It is a pragmatist's manual in a hundred short pages.
Read it if…
you overthink what is 'really' true and want permission to pick what works.
Skip it if…
you find pragmatism about belief slippery; it is.
Three things you will actually use
- Almost nothing is true; much is useful.
- Choose the frame that makes you act well.
- Beliefs are tools; put them down when done.
Do this first
Take one belief that is making you miserable and write the equally plausible version that would not.
Our verdict
A pragmatist's manual.
Compare with other Mindset books
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