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How do you measure your ROI on a book? Mine is in every stroke of a Stabilo pen across its pages.
If there’s one thing I know for sure about myself, it’s that I have a different way of preserving pages of a book. It never ends pristine once I’m done with it. I go crazy with a highlighter pen. And while I don’t have the heart to write on the pages, I keep a separate record of all my favorite excerpts.
I finished this book in 2024, and I still revisit its pages from time to time, especially the highlighted lines. I think it will forever be worth re-reading. And I will never get tired of recommending it to friends who want to get started on productivity books.
This is none other than Andy Gibson’s The Mind Manual. I picked it up during one of The Big Bad Wolf’s tours around Manila, and boy, was it an awesome choice! This will probably remain my top self-help book for the next few years or so.
The book is less than 200 pages, with visuals and illustrations, so it’s perfect for people who want to read something insightful without feeling overwhelmed. It’s pretty straightforward, and it enlightens and challenges your mind in the most refreshing way. It will make you rethink the things you thought you already understood.
It’s split into nine main topics:
- How to be yourself;
- How to keep calm;
- How to be happy;
- How to have a healthy mind;
- How to be wise;
- How to be productive;
- How to be resilient;
- How to be kind;
- How to fall in love
Big words, right? And such big themes. But what I loved most about this book is it’s neither preachy nor complicated. While everything is backed by data and research, the explanations are made digestible without being oversimplified.
Below are some of my favorite excerpts, highlighted in green Stabilo (like so.) 💚
"If you care about other people's feelings, then it's OK to care about your own feelings too." How to be yourself (pp. 12-32)"There's quite enough to be worried or angry about in the real world without imagining new problems in your head too."
How to keep calm (pp. 36-52)"Life isn't about seeking perfection: it is about figuring out what matters to you, and learning to enjoy it."
How to be happy (pp. 56-68)"You rely on your mind for everything you do, so look after it."
How to have a healthy mind (pp. 72-86)"When it comes to your unconscious mind, you get out what you put in."
How to be wise (pp. 90-102)"Don't wait until you're exhausted to take a break, because by that point you've probably already made a few mistakes."
How to be productive (pp. 106-120)"Learning how to cope in difficult times doesn't stop you from changing things for the better."
How to be resilient (pp. 124-138)"You can't always be perfect. Accepting your failures with kindness can help you persevere rather than give up."
How to be kind (pp. 142-156)"Relationships aren't a fixed point, but a process of moving in the same direction."
How to fall in love (pp. 160-176)
Honestly, the experience was more like having a quiet dialogue with myself. Every time I had a lingering question, the next page somehow already had the answers waiting for me. By the time I finished, I ended up with a trail of green marks over the lines I wanted to carry with me a little longer.
It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just inform, but also gives you perspective.
For anyone looking to grow, question, and truly engage with a book, The Mind Manual is a must-read.
Just make sure your highlighter is ready. You’re absolutely going to need it.
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