I just read "Useful, Not True" by Derek Sivers.
I always enjoy reading him because his writing leads to action. It's a good segue into the book's main argument: human beings operate mainly on beliefs, and the real value of a belief isn't its truth, but its ability to prompt action in a given situation.
The first part of the book deconstructs the idea of truth in our words or beliefs.
Most of what we say or believe are interpretations of events and facts rather than truths, which are universally, objectively, and necessarily valid.
When we say 'this is too expensive' or 'this country is mismanaged', it feels true to us, but it's a perspective. Hard facts are boring by themselves - what's interesting and what people bond over are interpretations.
Facts can be deceiving, as they can be presented in a way that promotes a certain perspective. Reporters at the same event can paint different realities by choosing which elements to include in their reporting. They often provide an angle, rather than the whole truth.
This is without accounting for our documented inaccuracies and bias. Our brains are designed to find causality and explanations even when there are none.
Similarly, our memories are distorted: we misremember even the most important events because we color everything through our interpretations and bend facts to fit them.
What do we do with that? One path is to train the mind to be right, become a better thinker.
The other is to take advantage of our beliefs and shift the perspective: instead of seeking truth, look for beliefs with good outcomes. Those most likely to make you take action in the right direction.
In bowling, the ball often leans on one side and goes off target. To correct the bias, aim in the other direction to compensate. The mind is similar - it strays in predictable ways and beliefs can course correct.
If you underestimate time things take, double your estimate. If you procrastinate, set fake deadlines. The new thought isn't meant to be correct - it's a correcting mechanism for the previous, equally incorrect, but less useful thought. Choose beliefs that correct your bias.
Pick beliefs for the actions they create. You can also work backwards - what belief leads to the action you need to take now?
Reframing is generating different perspectives on a situation and choosing the most empowering one. It's hard to control feelings, but easier to control thoughts, which largely influence emotions.
The first method is to move past your initial thought. Something happens, a thought offers an interpretation, and you react. Now imagine adding a step: consider other ways to look at the event and pick one that feels empowering.
A second tool for controlling your thoughts is asking questions. Thoughts are answers. Control them by changing your question. Asking better questions leads to better thoughts. There's a great book about this: Change your questions, change your life.
Example questions:
How can I use my age to my advantage?
What's great about this?
How can I use this to my advantage?
Keep the first principle in mind: Your initial response to these questions may be discouraging. Push past the first answer.
Useful perspectives are direct, energising, self-reliant, balancing, lasting, and long-term.
