LoserThink Scott Adams | Free Book Summary

LoserThink Scott Adams

Thinking inefficiently is a trait of loserthink. You can engage in loserthink even if you are intelligent and well-informed. The book outlines the numerous ways that loserthink can appear and produce less-than-ideal results.

You’ve got no idea what people are thinking.

If your complaint about another person involves your conviction that you can infer what they are internally thinking, you might be in a mental prison. We humans think we are good judges of what others are thinking. No, we’re not. We are actually awful at it. But because we’re all human, we typically think we’re good at it while also thinking everyone else isn’t.

How to stop being embarrassed

Regularly put yourself in situations that could be embarrassing for practice. Watch how you are still alive a year from now if you are embarrassed as you had intended. You may even have a funny story to tell as a result of it. 

Keep in mind that when you are an observer, other people’s embarrassments have little meaning for you. Your embarrassments mean nothing to them, that is how little.

The world is perpetually in disarray

You can easily begin to believe that the world is collapsing in a number of fatal ways when you combine a human brain that is wired to notice problems with a press that is motivated to present stories involving huge problems. And that worldview might make it harder for you to appreciate all the good things in life.

Systems Vs Goals

It makes sense to prioritize systems over goals whenever possible in your personal, professional, and political beliefs. A system can reveal numerous winning paths, some of which you never could have imagined, as opposed to a goal, which only offers you one way to succeed.

Coincidences

Coincidences can occasionally provide useful information. But 90 percent of the time, they mislead you. Never put too much faith in a conclusion that is based solely on how you choose to interpret a coincidence.

Coincidences generally don’t reveal much about the world. However, we identify with them and frequently mistakenly give significance to unimportant events.

How to be less susceptible to biases

Always consider whether the converse of your theory might be true. As you wait to learn the truth, doing so keeps you humble and less prone to bias.

Sincere consideration of the opposing viewpoint will help you avoid some biases and blind spots that could steer you in less advantageous directions.

How to Pick Projects

It’s important to find ways to explore new topics and interests in order to learn and develop. When you do this, organize your strategy so that you’ll succeed in all important respects. 

That means pursuing projects that will teach you useful skills, help you make valuable contacts, or help you see the world in a new light.

How to assess the quality of your plan

You are not participating in a rational conversation if you have a strong opinion about a proposed plan but have not compared it to the next best alternative.

Even if you believe you have a fantastic plan, you must compare it to the next best alternative. You must also consider the disadvantages and costs in comparison to other plans. 

A productive system for judging others

People are judged based on how they respond to their mistakes. A good response includes accepting responsibility for the error, making an honest apology, making amends (if possible), and not repeating the error.

Being Persuasive: Pacing

Pacing entails matching the person you hope to persuade by agreeing with as much of their position as you can without lying in order to build rapport and trust before confronting the disagreements.

To set the tone and establish yourself as a reasonable voice, always begin by discussing the points on which you agree. Once you have established that high-ground truth, you have set the table for persuasion.