Although this book costed me several awkward social interactions, I don't hold grudge because it was worth it. I'm not the self-help type, but I'm actually growing to like them thanks to this book. It offers various contentious advice like goals are for losers and eat whatever you want and stay healthy, but Adams explains them quite well. As the author noted plenty of times in the book, you should be careful to follow advice from a cartoonist, so make sure to take this book with some grain and salt. I personally found lots of useful ideas from here. And yes, about the title. I can say it's a misnomer since we can hardly label one with net-worth of $75 million a failure, can we?
"Failure always brings something valuable with it."
make sure to learn everything because it goes handy later on, particularly "public speaking, psychology, business writing, accounting, design, conversation, overcoming shyness, second language, golf, proper grammar, persuasion, technology, proper voice technique"
Good conversation technique according to Adams:
1. Ask questions
2. Don't complain (much).
3. Don't talk about boring experiences (TV show, meal, dream, etc.).
4. Don't dominate the conversation. Let others talk.
5. Don't get stuck on a topic. Keep moving.
6. Planning is useful but it isn't a conversation.
7. Keep the sad stories short, especially medical ones.
"Anyone who is confident in the face of great complexity is insane."
Eat these to get your required level of nutrition:
bananas, protein bars, peanuts, mixed nuts, cheese, whole wheat pasta, edamame (soybeans), broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, fish, lettuce, tomatoes, apples, pears, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, quinoa, brown rice, berries.
