Robert Greene's The 50th Law Summary
Robert Greene's The 50th Law Summary
Robert Greene's The 50th Law Summary
Index
1. The Fearless Approach
2. Intense Realism
3. Turn shit into sugar
4. Be completely independent
5. Have clear Goals
6. Success is your only option
7. Be willing to walk away
8. Follow your purpose
9. Know how to fight
10. Be open minded
1. THE FEARLESS APPROACH - Fear comes from our own misconception
of the world. When we feel fear we are self-hypnotized. We believe that something
unreal can exist. Fear is just an irrational feeling without connection to reality that
prevents people to take action towards their highest potential. How many times what
you feared the most has actually happened?
Fear hide itself everywhere, I would go as far as saying that all actions and
thoughts of ninety-nine percent of people are fear based, be aware of what you are
doing, and most importantly, know the reasons of your actions.
You deliberately put yourself in difficult situations and you examine your
reactions. In each case, you will notice that your fears were exaggerated and that
confronting them has the bracing effect of bringing you closer to reality.
You perceive reality through your beliefs and project it out on the world so
you are watching the world through the lens of your thoughts. Do you want to see
the world as a welcoming and peaceful place or you want to see it as a dreadful and
dangerous place? The choice is up to you, is just a story; do you want to live in a good
or a bad story? In the end though be aware that neither of them are real. Life is, and
thats it, nor good nor bad.
The 50th law, however, states that there is one thing we can actually control the
mind-set with which we respond to these events around us. And if we are able to
overcome our anxieties and forge a fearless attitude towards life, something strange
and remarkable can occur- that margin of control over circumstances increases.
3. TURN SHIT INTO SUGAR - Non acceptance about the changes of life will
never bring something of value, as soon as something unexpected and unwanted
happen everybody has the choice to embrace it and do something proactively to turn
into a positive event, negative energy and problems are necessary steps for
everyone to become better. If you chose to go the opposite direction of the stream of
life you will just be carried on anyway, life doesnt wait for anybody. It would be like
swimming on the opposite direction of a waterfall, you cant win, you can choose to let
go and see where you will be led.
Life has a particular pace and rhythm, an endless stream of changes that can
move slowly or quickly. When you try to stop this flow mentally or physically by holding
on to things or people, you fall behind. Your actions become awkward because they are
not in relation to present circumstances. It is like moving against a current as opposed
to using it to propel you forward.
5. HAVE CLEAR GOALS - If you are not planning your future in detail you are
just floating through life without a particular goal. Like an arrow that is not aiming to
his target, if you dont know where you want to go how could you end up there?!
The further and deeper we contemplate the future, the greater our capacity to shape it
according to our desires.
6. SUCCESS IS YOUR ONLY OPTION - There is something magic in
committing yourself on one single goal, without the slightest doubt about it. Working with
certainty on it ,you cut all other possibility, even better if you dont have other possibility,
on your mind there is just success, you will give all of yourself to achieve it.
7. BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY - If you deeply know that you will be fine
with or without certain people, situations and jobs, you will be able to lead the rapport
where you want it to be on your terms and conditions. When people sense that you
are willing to walk away, they will understand that you have other options and this
will give you instantly more control and power over them.
In his experience, whenever he felt as if he had too much to lose and he held on
to others or to deals out of fear of the alternative, he ended up losing a lot more he
realized that the key in life is to be willing to walk away. He was often surprised that in
doing so, or even feeling that way, people would come back to him on his terms, now
fearing what they might lose in the process. And if they didnt return, then good
riddance.
8. FOLLOW YOU PURPOSE - You have just one chance, one opportunity,
one life and if you waste it, doing what others people want you to do, you are just
squandering your time. You will always be frustrated and unhappy.
If you dont follow your dreams you will never be realized in life. People will say
every kind of things while on your journey, is up to you to understand if it is constructive
criticism or just useless gossip, take what is worth considering and be ready to forget
instantly all the rest.
I was born alone and I will die alone. Ive got to do whats right for me and not
live my life the way anybody else wants it.
9. KNOW HOW TO FIGHT - If you are ready for confrontation and know how
to fight most of the time you will not need to do so, but if you are scared and never
stood up for your rights people will keep exploiting you forever. It looks like people can
sense that you will say yes to everything and never stand your ground. Your being
radiates outward and can be read in your manner without you having to say a
word. People will react to your own self-belief, they will treat you as you expect to
be treated.
The kid in the school yard who doesnt want to fight always leaves with a black
eye. If you indicate you will do anything to avoid trouble, thats when you get trouble.
10. BE OPEN MINDED - It amaze me how people are sure of their position,
thoughts and beliefs. Whenever you start believing that you are on the top of the
mountain your decline is assured, instead, when you know that no matter how far
you have come there will always be something to learn and improve, your growth will
not be precluded.
Being open minded is key, recognize and admit that you were doing something
wrong and be willing to act differently to get different results. What worked yesterday
might not work today, be ready to change mind and action when needed, never attach
yourself image to anything you do.
His superiority, was that he knew that he knew nothing. This left his mind open to
experiencing things as they are, the source of all knowledge.