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    Cover of Chimp Paradox

    Chimp Paradox

    Steve Peters · 2016

    Peters explains that people all have a being within minds that can wreak havoc on every aspect of lifeNbe it business or personal. He calls this being "the chimp," and it can work either for people or against people. The challenge from comes trying to tame the chimp.

    Productivity & Self-Improvement
    Open LibraryAmazon
    Stats for nerds
    6recommend
    9mentions
    7people
    2015–2023years
    89% recommend11% neutral

    Mentions per year

    201520162017201820192020202120222023

    What Hacker News says

    1. OrasMay 2023
      The chimp paradox.

      Helped me to be cautious about my emotions. It made it a lot easier to visualize what’s happening inside my mind in a simple way.

      thread
    2. kyproFeb 2022
      The Chimp Paradox is probably my #1 general book recommendation because I think we would all be better off if we could better identify and manage our irrational impulses. It's one of those books that can genuinely improve almost every aspect of your life if you take it onboard. It's helped me with countless things in life, from sticking to diets and just being a more reasonable person generally.

      There is also a book by the same author called, "My Hidden Chimp" which I believe is a child-friendly version of the The Chimp Paradox. I've not read it myself, but my girlfriend teaches at a primary school where the kids are reading it at the moment. She seems to think highly of it so that might be a good alternative for younger audiences.

      thread
    3. monk_e_boyJun 2021
      Naps! Seriously, if you're lying in bed and can't sleep .... you're not sleepy. Get up, do something. (Listen to your body)

      Hell, I can go a few days on 2 hours sleep, then sleep like, 8 hours or 12 hours. Or I'll sleep 5 hours (from 5pm to 10pm) then sleep maybe from 4am to 7am ...

      There's plenty of chores to do, or a bit of DIY or watching tv...

      Get a diary. Write the stuff in there. Next time you wake up, tell your brain, thank you for reminding me, but we already wrote this down - look. And read it aloud. Eventually your brain will get it and stop waking you up (you should read The Chimp Paradox -- about how your brain works)

      thread
    4. sarrephJul 2018
      > It's a key skill to learn to be able to let go of the work you have done, stand back and analyse it dispassionately then go back and re-do things.

      I wish this principle was adhered to across all industries where we (as individuals) get our 'work' reviewed. If you can't do your best and then be able to let go of it, it causes some serious pent-up anger and demotivation. I find myself slipping into 'brutalist feedback' mode (that I'm used to from creative work), before worrying about offending the recipient.

      I'm not sure if this is coincidental, but anecdotally I found that my biggest shift in being able to let my creative work 'go' was after reading The Power of Now[0] and The Chimp Paradox[1], and practicing mindfulness. Fundamentally, I think it's an ego issue as to why it's so hard to take criticism. I'm certainly not saying ego-death is a prerequisite, but instead to learn how to short-circuit your anger away from feedback as a result of taking it too personally.

      It is after all, not the work itself, but how it is received that you should be striving towards!

      [0] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Now [1] - https://chimpmanagement.com/the-chimp-paradox/

      thread
    5. Blackstone4Mar 2018
      Ideally you'd get him to open up and speak to a therapist or doctor. But getting there is the hard part...

      - Let him know there you are there for him. "hey buddy, I'm your friend and if you ever need to talk I'm here."

      - Actively listen to him and validate his feelings. Don't critize just let him be. Ask questions like "how does that make you feel?" Don't offer solutions.

      - Is there anything he is interested in? Gaming, walking, making things, painting, animals etc. Use that as a carrot help draw him out. Even if he goes out by himself. Just doing things will help.

      - Read up on the topic and find books that might help. I like The Chimp Paradox books :)

      thread
    6. Blackstone4Dec 2017
      I was married to someone who I believe has BPD and we went to couples therapy ... be careful... it can and may well be used against you...whilst at the same time not help her condition...someone with BPD typically has many issues on the surface. These tend to consume the therapy sessions. Whilst the deep seated problems go unchecked...

      I feel like the real issue for someone with BPD is processing incoming messages (verbal/actions etc.). When you're starting position is defensive and highly emotional, it's hard to be rational.... hence why messages are often misinterpreted and why people w/ BPD appear to live in another reality...they need to learn to slow down and use their rational brain to keep their emotions in check... I'm not sure she'll learn this from couples therapy

      You might find this book helpful: The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Program to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence, and Happiness

      https://www.amazon.com/Chimp-Paradox-Management-Program-Conf...

      thread

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