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Wise as Fu*k: Simple Truths to Guide You Through the Sh*tstorms of Life
Compelling and straight-shooting wisdom for coping with whatever challenges life throws at us from the New York Times bestselling author of Unfu*k Yourself.
In Unfu*k Yourself, Gary John Bishop taught millions of readers how to silence the negative, self-sabotaging voice in their head to thrive. In Wise As Fu*k he expands on his ideas, redefining what it means to be wise and showing how to tackle problems and improve our lives and those of others. When the shit storms of life hit us, many of us don’t know what to do—whether it’s losing a job, suffering a broken heart, or just feeling a lack of purpose. We need wisdom to help us navigate forward. While the internet is full of seemingly good advice, it isn’t helping us actually change our lives. Wise As Fu*k breaks through the bullshit, providing insight to inspire us in the four areas we need it most: love, loss, fear, and success. Written with his widely admired no-nonsense style, Wise As Fu*k provides a welcome fresh perspective to help us transform how we approach a variety of life’s problems. But Bishop makes clear, the work doesn’t stop there. Now that you’ve unfu*ked yourself and and are wise as fu*k about these touchy areas, you can apply the lessons to make a positive impact on the world.
In Unfu*k Yourself, Gary John Bishop taught millions of readers how to silence the negative, self-sabotaging voice in their head to thrive. In Wise As Fu*k he expands on his ideas, redefining what it means to be wise and showing how to tackle problems and improve our lives and those of others. When the shit storms of life hit us, many of us don’t know what to do—whether it’s losing a job, suffering a broken heart, or just feeling a lack of purpose. We need wisdom to help us navigate forward. While the internet is full of seemingly good advice, it isn’t helping us actually change our lives. Wise As Fu*k breaks through the bullshit, providing insight to inspire us in the four areas we need it most: love, loss, fear, and success. Written with his widely admired no-nonsense style, Wise As Fu*k provides a welcome fresh perspective to help us transform how we approach a variety of life’s problems. But Bishop makes clear, the work doesn’t stop there. Now that you’ve unfu*ked yourself and and are wise as fu*k about these touchy areas, you can apply the lessons to make a positive impact on the world.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
262 people are currently reading
2277 people want to read
About the author
Gary John Bishop
83 books1,149 followersGary John Bishop began his life journey in Glasgow, Scotland. The grit and wit of his early life have contributed to his tough-love, in-your-face approach to coaching. Coupled with world-class training and development, Gary has created a potent brew of effectiveness and the ability to reach through the crust of people's lives and root out the deeper issues that consume them and tie them to their hurdles. His ability to elevate and expand people's greatness makes the kind of life-altering impact that is so rare in the industry. Gary's hyper-awareness and years of elite training allow him to assess each client and guide them to the path that best expresses their lives; with micro precision, he cuts straight to the heart of what is going to make a difference.
Gary's experience and quick ascent to becoming a senior program director for one of the world's leading personal development organizations is proof that he is dedicated and committed to what is possible for every client and person he encounters. He doesn't claim perfection. He's been through life and doesn't sugar coat his folly. He uses his experience as both a human and a world class coach to mentor and coach people to raise the bar higher for what they once thought would be their greatest self.
Gary John Bishop is one of the leading Personal Development experts in the industry with a global reputation that has impacted tens of thousands of people worldwide. His "urban philosophy" approach represents a new wave of personal empowerment and life mastery that has caused miraculous results for people in the quality and performance of their lives. He calls it like it is while being influenced by ontology, phenomenology and the philosophy of some of the world's greatest thinkers. You be inspired, unburdened and grounded. Working with Gary creates the space to be an altered version of you. The greatness you once imagined becomes a reality, only its bigger, better and more incredibly freeing than you dreamed it could be. His work life changing.
Gary is willing to say what needs to be said. His writing is a higher level experience and the benefits of his philosophies have touched lives worldwide.
Gary's experience and quick ascent to becoming a senior program director for one of the world's leading personal development organizations is proof that he is dedicated and committed to what is possible for every client and person he encounters. He doesn't claim perfection. He's been through life and doesn't sugar coat his folly. He uses his experience as both a human and a world class coach to mentor and coach people to raise the bar higher for what they once thought would be their greatest self.
Gary John Bishop is one of the leading Personal Development experts in the industry with a global reputation that has impacted tens of thousands of people worldwide. His "urban philosophy" approach represents a new wave of personal empowerment and life mastery that has caused miraculous results for people in the quality and performance of their lives. He calls it like it is while being influenced by ontology, phenomenology and the philosophy of some of the world's greatest thinkers. You be inspired, unburdened and grounded. Working with Gary creates the space to be an altered version of you. The greatness you once imagined becomes a reality, only its bigger, better and more incredibly freeing than you dreamed it could be. His work life changing.
Gary is willing to say what needs to be said. His writing is a higher level experience and the benefits of his philosophies have touched lives worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
October 8, 2020
I love this guy. He speaks my language, trucker with a side of rocker, gritty honest and direct. No fluff, no magical chanting, no Yes, there is language, some may say bad words. He's not for the delicate eared ones. He's not here to stroke your ego and tell you what a tiger you are. He's going to make you responsible for you and your choices if you listen. There are 4 sections covering love, loss, fear and success. Who doesn't have some issues in those categories ?
Are you willing ? That question was one of the Aha questions for me. (I really hate that "aha" thing but it works to explain here) I got it from his last book and use it when I'm stalled/envious/sad/ basically lost in my own headtrap. Asking myself this simple question has changed my views on my choices and stopped a lot of round and round whining. This books takes from the knowledge gained in previous books and uses it. Yes, not in some unrealistic way but in a real life way we might all face regularly. It's not all hard edges and coarse talking, there funny humorous points. I've read, listened to his audiobooks and his podcast and I still felt mesmerized by the simple, sometimes brutal truth here. It's time to wake up and open your eyes, read some Gary John Bishop your reality will thank you. I have already ordered the audio version of this. His scottish accent makes a great book even better :P
Are you willing ? That question was one of the Aha questions for me. (I really hate that "aha" thing but it works to explain here) I got it from his last book and use it when I'm stalled/envious/sad/ basically lost in my own headtrap. Asking myself this simple question has changed my views on my choices and stopped a lot of round and round whining. This books takes from the knowledge gained in previous books and uses it. Yes, not in some unrealistic way but in a real life way we might all face regularly. It's not all hard edges and coarse talking, there funny humorous points. I've read, listened to his audiobooks and his podcast and I still felt mesmerized by the simple, sometimes brutal truth here. It's time to wake up and open your eyes, read some Gary John Bishop your reality will thank you. I have already ordered the audio version of this. His scottish accent makes a great book even better :P
December 7, 2021
3.25 ? I guess that's enough.
The last book of the series, it had some good advices, boring at times but worth it.
The last book of the series, it had some good advices, boring at times but worth it.
January 19, 2022
In Unfu*k Yourself, Gary John Bishop taught millions of readers how to silence the negative, self-sabotaging voice in their head to thrive. In the same theme in Wise As Fu*k he expands on his ideas, redefining what it means to be wise and showing how to tackle problems and improve our lives and those of others.
When the shit storms of life hit us, many of us don’t know what to do—whether it’s losing a job, suffering a broken heart, or just feeling a lack of purpose. We need wisdom to help us navigate forward. While the internet is full of seemingly good advice, it isn’t helping us actually change our lives. Wise As Fu*k breaks through the bullshit, providing insight to inspire us in the four areas we need it most: love, loss, fear, and success.
Written with his widely admired no-nonsense style, Wise As Fu*k provides a welcome fresh perspective to help us transform how we approach a variety of life’s problems. But Bishop makes clear, the work doesn’t stop there. Now that you’ve unfu*ked yourself and and are wise as fu*k about these touchy areas, you can apply the lessons to make a positive impact on the world. A unique approach to self improvement.
When the shit storms of life hit us, many of us don’t know what to do—whether it’s losing a job, suffering a broken heart, or just feeling a lack of purpose. We need wisdom to help us navigate forward. While the internet is full of seemingly good advice, it isn’t helping us actually change our lives. Wise As Fu*k breaks through the bullshit, providing insight to inspire us in the four areas we need it most: love, loss, fear, and success.
Written with his widely admired no-nonsense style, Wise As Fu*k provides a welcome fresh perspective to help us transform how we approach a variety of life’s problems. But Bishop makes clear, the work doesn’t stop there. Now that you’ve unfu*ked yourself and and are wise as fu*k about these touchy areas, you can apply the lessons to make a positive impact on the world. A unique approach to self improvement.
November 9, 2020
This book is written in what I think of as the con-man/infomercial style:
1 - It spends far more time selling you on the benefits of their system rather than giving you the information about that system (information you've already paid for by buying this book).
2 - Speaking buzzwords and catchphrases that don't make sense other than to rile you up and make you feel like your getting something great even though there's not actually any substance there.
3 - When it finally gets to the point, the message contradicts the sales spiel.
For a bit more detail on that last point, a big part of the introduction was about how this book isn't just another self-help book and how the path to wisdom can't be found by doing what someone else tells you too... Then it goes on to spout the same content I have read in countless self-help books and tells you exactly what to do and expecting you to do as told.
Someone who is truly 'Wise as Fu*k' will recognise that the most impressive thing about this book is how the author has repackaged traditional self-help material in a way that makes it seem radical and fresh. I'd be more impressed if the hugely successful (though no more useful) 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' hadn't done the same thing 4 years earlier.
1 - It spends far more time selling you on the benefits of their system rather than giving you the information about that system (information you've already paid for by buying this book).
2 - Speaking buzzwords and catchphrases that don't make sense other than to rile you up and make you feel like your getting something great even though there's not actually any substance there.
3 - When it finally gets to the point, the message contradicts the sales spiel.
For a bit more detail on that last point, a big part of the introduction was about how this book isn't just another self-help book and how the path to wisdom can't be found by doing what someone else tells you too... Then it goes on to spout the same content I have read in countless self-help books and tells you exactly what to do and expecting you to do as told.
Someone who is truly 'Wise as Fu*k' will recognise that the most impressive thing about this book is how the author has repackaged traditional self-help material in a way that makes it seem radical and fresh. I'd be more impressed if the hugely successful (though no more useful) 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' hadn't done the same thing 4 years earlier.
January 12, 2021
Self righteousness at its finest. Made it seem like he was doing me a favor. Fk out of here.
January 26, 2021
Basically someone (the author) watched a bunch of YouTube videos about self-help, collected cool sentences, put them in a book trying to connect them with some cursing and frat boy language here and there.
I guess the next thing is to publish a course about "How to sell Books online with zero knowledge".
If you found this book useful, great! Good for you, but be aware that there's a lot of free content that is "wiser", useful, and actionable.
I guess the next thing is to publish a course about "How to sell Books online with zero knowledge".
If you found this book useful, great! Good for you, but be aware that there's a lot of free content that is "wiser", useful, and actionable.
September 6, 2020
Typical Gary John Bishop non nonsense style. The book is divided into 4 sections and lets you figure out the best course to change your life. Filled with great pearls of wisdom (sometimes I got the feeling the author wants to smack me upside the head with his advice) I took away several good lessons on how to change what I need to change.
Thank you Netgalley and Gary John Bishop got the opportunity to read this work. GHB is on my one click list now!
Thank you Netgalley and Gary John Bishop got the opportunity to read this work. GHB is on my one click list now!
April 18, 2021
Excellent motivational book. I'll be rereading this every time I feel I might use a serious kick in the butt of my brain.
November 21, 2021
I loved this. Definitely getting a physical copy to annotate.
July 30, 2020
I read Bishop's last book and found it somewhat helpful so I was interested in this one. One of Bishop's strengths is his straightforward, dead-pan honesty with giving advice and "wisdom." And I did agree with many of his points on love, for example. But, as with any self-help book and author, he ignores the fact that this is HIS advice and HIS wisdom, gathered from the experiences of just one person. I think it's important to take books like this with a grain of salt and while I think most readers will enjoy this book, they are probably people who cannot relate to his lessons or have had very different life experiences. Advice from a single person's viewpoint isn't wisdom per se, it's just advice, which is kind of the opposite of what Bishop claims to be giving in this book.
February 23, 2024
I like this one a lot more and took more from it than his other book Stop Doing That Shit. Here’s some notes:)
-When we’re the most tested, we’re the least wise.
-Wisdom: a personal set of truths, a collection of perspectives that become the foundations of your thinking. What you come back to through the twists and turns off your life to guide you.
-You have the life you’re willing to put up with.
-Online material often provides temporary relief/happiness without actually forcing you to fix the problem and become better. Just feeling better doesn’t work- that’s called stagnation.
-Stop asking people for advise - this is just an excuse to tell people about your predicament and make sure you’re doing the right things.
LOVE:
-betrayal doesn’t have to just be cheating, you can betray your partner by bailing on who you were when you entered the relationship. You’re not betraying the person, but who you said you would be or are, your self.
-love doesn’t hurt, disappointment does, and your expectations are the vehicle to disappointment
1. love is the responsibility of the person who has it in mind*
- we spend a lot of time holding people accountable for what we want. When they don’t act how we want, we become upset.
- You can’t burden someone with how you want to be loved. Seeking what you need in others will always leave a hole.
- love is an expression not a destination. You create more of it by being loving.
2. you cannot HAVE love* you are love.
**the ultimate expression of love is loving someone the way they want to be loved** this one.
- each person grows up with a different idea of what love should be.
3. when someone says they don’t love you, it doesn’t have anything to do with you*
- to fully love someone, you have to love all of them, to let them be who they are.
LOSS:
-just as important as the loss of a being is the loss of an idea or a dream, and sometimes it’s more stigmatized/less understood. You can lose yourself just as much when a dream or goal fails.
-when you let loss settle in a negative way, it ties you permanently to your past
-grieving serves a purpose. It can empower you in the end.
-only you can decide when you’re done grieving
1. the only stuff you can’t get over is the stuff you’re holding onto*
- ask yourself: what kind of life do I get to live while holding onto this loss.
- we use “I’m not going to do x,x,x because I’m dealing with y” as a form of not dealing with what life will be like after the loss
- we blame things on loss, but they are not connected. The connection is you, not that.
- you can still live your life while grieving.
2. today is also one of those days you’ll never get back*
- you should use loss to catapult your life in the right direction.
3. it’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s appropriate, not permanent.*
- being overwhelmed can be a sign of expansion and taking on new tasks/lifestyle changes. In this case, you can’t live life the same way, there must be change/growth
- people struggle with the thought of being overwhelmed more than the things that are actually overwhelming them
- you don’t feel guilty about feeling happy, so why should you feel guilty about feeling overwhelmed or sad?
FEAR
To fear is to be alive. Understand and move past it.
-we use fear as a bandaid to put off what we don’t want to face
-you’re not afraid to fail, you’re afraid to be seen failing both by yourself and others
-you will always be judged, so it’s better to be judged for who you really are than a made up version you make of yourself.
1. your fear is meaningless*
- aka, everyone’s fears are different because it’s what we make it to be.
- fear isn’t something to get over, it’s something to coexist with
- fear can be the companion or the driver
2. the line between compassion for yourself and self pity can disappear easily*
- you go from giving yourself a break to giving yourself an excuse
- how often do you give yourself breaks? Sometimes you have to stop in order to face adversity and see what you’re really made of
3. to fear us to be human. to avoid fear is to avoid humanity*
- in order to accomplish your goals you have to do it alongside fear
- having fear is not a problem, it’s natural. Don’t let it consume you. Own it.
SUCCESS
You are already successful. Whatever you’re chasing is already you.
-success is not worth the stress required.
-what is success defined as?
-someone tries to achieve success by getting somewhere, but we only have the here and now to enjoy. If you can’t be prideful now, will you ever be?
-be here for what’s here. now.
-life is not a treadmill, it’s a garden. One to be tended and nurtured and enjoyed. But you can never truly love the garden if you can’t bring yourself to love the work.
-results will come because your actions are always aligning with who you are, not because of the stress you put yourself under.
1. When the responsibility for the quality of your life lies with anyone but you, you become the victim. Don’t do this.
- When you blame others for your actions, you’re taking away from your power to do anything significant about the mess you’re in.
- Blaming others doesn’t do anything productive for your life.
- Once you can take blame, you can figure out how to get out of it. This will help you in future situations.
- You’ve got the wheel. Now drive.
2. I don’t love failure, but I’m not afraid of it either, at least not afraid to stop.
- Failure is unavoidable.
- Become comfortable with the possibility of failure, not expect it.
- It’s not something you should be stopped by. Failure isn’t the end of your life
3. Being positive is overrated
- Being too positive can cause you to not deal with the true implications of failure
- Positivity can be a distraction.
- Success can happen even when you’re not positive. It’s great. But not necessary.
- What would be great is if you actually were able to succeed despite positivity.
4. True strength doesn’t come from your character, but on your willingness to go beyond it.
- If you want to truly grow, you must expand your character.
- You can look at the full spectrum of who you are, rather than the narrow band of who you’ve become.
- True strength isn’t a product of character, it’s when you’re doing something you’ve never done before. When you have tested your character.
5. Life only ever changes in the paradigm of action.
- It’s important to be able to do things even when you don’t feel well - produce the same results regardless of mood.
-We’re becoming trapped in self examination and absorption, burdened by what we think we deserve, driven by our deepest and most inauthentic wants. Becoming obsessed with our weaknesses/failures, what we think our lives are lacking or need
-by trying to be better, sometimes we become more worried/obsessed about our flaws
-rather than being able to connect more due to technological advances, we’re becoming the opposite.
-500 years ago, everyone had a job and felt needed and fulfilled, no matter what the job was. We must find this feeling of purposefulness.
-if your “selfless acts” aren’t bringing you fulfillment, it’s probably because you’re actually doing it for a reason/reward that you’re not receiving, instead of doing it selflessly. This is manipulation.
CONCLUSIONS
-Wake yourself up to what’s actually important. To what actually matters in this life. -Stop obsessing over gaining success or avoiding pain, and finally show up as the human being you want to be.
-Once people actually achieve what they wanted to, they turn to others, want to make a difference in other peoples lives - a truly selfless contribution.
-Subconsciously we think we don’t matter, that we’re insignificant. But you have the power to rise to something far greater if you just look outside of yourself.
-The best thing you can contribute is being your true genuine self, living your life as a demonstration of what’s possible.
-Give a fuck about not just yourself, but everything around you.
-How often do you go into something with kindness in mind and stick to it.
-Be who you are regardless of the outcomes.
-BE what you need in your life.
-When we’re the most tested, we’re the least wise.
-Wisdom: a personal set of truths, a collection of perspectives that become the foundations of your thinking. What you come back to through the twists and turns off your life to guide you.
-You have the life you’re willing to put up with.
-Online material often provides temporary relief/happiness without actually forcing you to fix the problem and become better. Just feeling better doesn’t work- that’s called stagnation.
-Stop asking people for advise - this is just an excuse to tell people about your predicament and make sure you’re doing the right things.
LOVE:
-betrayal doesn’t have to just be cheating, you can betray your partner by bailing on who you were when you entered the relationship. You’re not betraying the person, but who you said you would be or are, your self.
-love doesn’t hurt, disappointment does, and your expectations are the vehicle to disappointment
1. love is the responsibility of the person who has it in mind*
- we spend a lot of time holding people accountable for what we want. When they don’t act how we want, we become upset.
- You can’t burden someone with how you want to be loved. Seeking what you need in others will always leave a hole.
- love is an expression not a destination. You create more of it by being loving.
2. you cannot HAVE love* you are love.
**the ultimate expression of love is loving someone the way they want to be loved** this one.
- each person grows up with a different idea of what love should be.
3. when someone says they don’t love you, it doesn’t have anything to do with you*
- to fully love someone, you have to love all of them, to let them be who they are.
LOSS:
-just as important as the loss of a being is the loss of an idea or a dream, and sometimes it’s more stigmatized/less understood. You can lose yourself just as much when a dream or goal fails.
-when you let loss settle in a negative way, it ties you permanently to your past
-grieving serves a purpose. It can empower you in the end.
-only you can decide when you’re done grieving
1. the only stuff you can’t get over is the stuff you’re holding onto*
- ask yourself: what kind of life do I get to live while holding onto this loss.
- we use “I’m not going to do x,x,x because I’m dealing with y” as a form of not dealing with what life will be like after the loss
- we blame things on loss, but they are not connected. The connection is you, not that.
- you can still live your life while grieving.
2. today is also one of those days you’ll never get back*
- you should use loss to catapult your life in the right direction.
3. it’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s appropriate, not permanent.*
- being overwhelmed can be a sign of expansion and taking on new tasks/lifestyle changes. In this case, you can’t live life the same way, there must be change/growth
- people struggle with the thought of being overwhelmed more than the things that are actually overwhelming them
- you don’t feel guilty about feeling happy, so why should you feel guilty about feeling overwhelmed or sad?
FEAR
To fear is to be alive. Understand and move past it.
-we use fear as a bandaid to put off what we don’t want to face
-you’re not afraid to fail, you’re afraid to be seen failing both by yourself and others
-you will always be judged, so it’s better to be judged for who you really are than a made up version you make of yourself.
1. your fear is meaningless*
- aka, everyone’s fears are different because it’s what we make it to be.
- fear isn’t something to get over, it’s something to coexist with
- fear can be the companion or the driver
2. the line between compassion for yourself and self pity can disappear easily*
- you go from giving yourself a break to giving yourself an excuse
- how often do you give yourself breaks? Sometimes you have to stop in order to face adversity and see what you’re really made of
3. to fear us to be human. to avoid fear is to avoid humanity*
- in order to accomplish your goals you have to do it alongside fear
- having fear is not a problem, it’s natural. Don’t let it consume you. Own it.
SUCCESS
You are already successful. Whatever you’re chasing is already you.
-success is not worth the stress required.
-what is success defined as?
-someone tries to achieve success by getting somewhere, but we only have the here and now to enjoy. If you can’t be prideful now, will you ever be?
-be here for what’s here. now.
-life is not a treadmill, it’s a garden. One to be tended and nurtured and enjoyed. But you can never truly love the garden if you can’t bring yourself to love the work.
-results will come because your actions are always aligning with who you are, not because of the stress you put yourself under.
1. When the responsibility for the quality of your life lies with anyone but you, you become the victim. Don’t do this.
- When you blame others for your actions, you’re taking away from your power to do anything significant about the mess you’re in.
- Blaming others doesn’t do anything productive for your life.
- Once you can take blame, you can figure out how to get out of it. This will help you in future situations.
- You’ve got the wheel. Now drive.
2. I don’t love failure, but I’m not afraid of it either, at least not afraid to stop.
- Failure is unavoidable.
- Become comfortable with the possibility of failure, not expect it.
- It’s not something you should be stopped by. Failure isn’t the end of your life
3. Being positive is overrated
- Being too positive can cause you to not deal with the true implications of failure
- Positivity can be a distraction.
- Success can happen even when you’re not positive. It’s great. But not necessary.
- What would be great is if you actually were able to succeed despite positivity.
4. True strength doesn’t come from your character, but on your willingness to go beyond it.
- If you want to truly grow, you must expand your character.
- You can look at the full spectrum of who you are, rather than the narrow band of who you’ve become.
- True strength isn’t a product of character, it’s when you’re doing something you’ve never done before. When you have tested your character.
5. Life only ever changes in the paradigm of action.
- It’s important to be able to do things even when you don’t feel well - produce the same results regardless of mood.
-We’re becoming trapped in self examination and absorption, burdened by what we think we deserve, driven by our deepest and most inauthentic wants. Becoming obsessed with our weaknesses/failures, what we think our lives are lacking or need
-by trying to be better, sometimes we become more worried/obsessed about our flaws
-rather than being able to connect more due to technological advances, we’re becoming the opposite.
-500 years ago, everyone had a job and felt needed and fulfilled, no matter what the job was. We must find this feeling of purposefulness.
-if your “selfless acts” aren’t bringing you fulfillment, it’s probably because you’re actually doing it for a reason/reward that you’re not receiving, instead of doing it selflessly. This is manipulation.
CONCLUSIONS
-Wake yourself up to what’s actually important. To what actually matters in this life. -Stop obsessing over gaining success or avoiding pain, and finally show up as the human being you want to be.
-Once people actually achieve what they wanted to, they turn to others, want to make a difference in other peoples lives - a truly selfless contribution.
-Subconsciously we think we don’t matter, that we’re insignificant. But you have the power to rise to something far greater if you just look outside of yourself.
-The best thing you can contribute is being your true genuine self, living your life as a demonstration of what’s possible.
-Give a fuck about not just yourself, but everything around you.
-How often do you go into something with kindness in mind and stick to it.
-Be who you are regardless of the outcomes.
-BE what you need in your life.
November 11, 2020
The format is suitable for folks who enjoy loud mouthed coach type that yells at you, expletives and all. I endear to this format as it's similar to my inner voice. No it's not an angry condescending Scotsman.
May not be suitable for a few reasons.
1) If you can't handle being badgered
2) If part of your personal development is to be more tempered and not sound like an angry Scotsman.
The advice on Happiness, Love, Loss, Fear and Success are good reminders; i.e. loving because you do, not because you expect to be loved and to own your grief and learn from it. 'Fear' is really fearing about being seen to fail. Success is a slightly different reframing of 'achievements' i.e. in doing what you need to do now and here, not later or somewhere else. Success is about getting towards the path to the goal; i.e. what needs to be done- now/asap. So be what you need to be 'now'; not later. Don't depend on other people to define success. Don't be a victim. don't make excuses - just do it.
I particularly like the emphasis on "bad wisdom" before going into the key takeaways for each areas.
Another common theme is to confront and embrace "death", and refocus towards gratitude of being alive and making use of the time that we have.
The final common team is related to love; i.e. in giving selflessly. So the final chapter wraps around with the concept of giving back; why giving is important, as it's not about "us". As the "me me me" point view can result in victim-hood; or worse, the downward spiral that we don't matter.
May not be suitable for a few reasons.
1) If you can't handle being badgered
2) If part of your personal development is to be more tempered and not sound like an angry Scotsman.
The advice on Happiness, Love, Loss, Fear and Success are good reminders; i.e. loving because you do, not because you expect to be loved and to own your grief and learn from it. 'Fear' is really fearing about being seen to fail. Success is a slightly different reframing of 'achievements' i.e. in doing what you need to do now and here, not later or somewhere else. Success is about getting towards the path to the goal; i.e. what needs to be done- now/asap. So be what you need to be 'now'; not later. Don't depend on other people to define success. Don't be a victim. don't make excuses - just do it.
I particularly like the emphasis on "bad wisdom" before going into the key takeaways for each areas.
Another common theme is to confront and embrace "death", and refocus towards gratitude of being alive and making use of the time that we have.
The final common team is related to love; i.e. in giving selflessly. So the final chapter wraps around with the concept of giving back; why giving is important, as it's not about "us". As the "me me me" point view can result in victim-hood; or worse, the downward spiral that we don't matter.
September 29, 2020
I’m fan of Bishop’s foul-mouthed tough love approach to self-help. His latest, which dispenses a gut punch of wisdom on love, loss, fear, and success, is another winner. He also addresses procrastination, positivity, relationships, and more.
In the “love” section, the author shares a personal story about how he strengthened his relationship with his mother by loving her on her terms. The “loss” section looks at not only the loss of important people in our lives, but also at the how one can stop pursuing their dreams, which leads nicely into the “fear” section, and how fear, particularly the fear of being judged, holds us back. “Success” delves into the hamster wheel of pursuit of the next big thing, may it be a material object or something like a promotion. The enjoyment of such successes only provide brief satisfaction and leave a person hungry for the next big thing.
The thing that hit me the hardest in the book is Bishop’s focus on mortality. He mentions how with each day we have less time to build the life we want than we did the day before. This isn’t something most people want to ponder, but it’s the kind of truth that can kickstart a person into breaking through a cycle of apathy. The topics of love, loss, fear, and success, each get two chapters each, in the middle of the book, with two chapters serving as a kind of introduction and two chapters as a kind of conclusion. This structure works well and gives the reader time to process Bishop’s truth bombs.
I enjoyed this book very much, but I wish Bishop went a bit deeper, particularly in the “loss” section. He does mention that he tried to keep the material manageable so as not to overwhelm the reader. He also mentioned considering doing a book solely on relationships. Still, there’s enough meaty subject matter within to warrant multiple reads. And that book on relationships? I’d be there for that. Heck, I’ll read whatever he releases. His books never fail to inspire me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Inc. for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
In the “love” section, the author shares a personal story about how he strengthened his relationship with his mother by loving her on her terms. The “loss” section looks at not only the loss of important people in our lives, but also at the how one can stop pursuing their dreams, which leads nicely into the “fear” section, and how fear, particularly the fear of being judged, holds us back. “Success” delves into the hamster wheel of pursuit of the next big thing, may it be a material object or something like a promotion. The enjoyment of such successes only provide brief satisfaction and leave a person hungry for the next big thing.
The thing that hit me the hardest in the book is Bishop’s focus on mortality. He mentions how with each day we have less time to build the life we want than we did the day before. This isn’t something most people want to ponder, but it’s the kind of truth that can kickstart a person into breaking through a cycle of apathy. The topics of love, loss, fear, and success, each get two chapters each, in the middle of the book, with two chapters serving as a kind of introduction and two chapters as a kind of conclusion. This structure works well and gives the reader time to process Bishop’s truth bombs.
I enjoyed this book very much, but I wish Bishop went a bit deeper, particularly in the “loss” section. He does mention that he tried to keep the material manageable so as not to overwhelm the reader. He also mentioned considering doing a book solely on relationships. Still, there’s enough meaty subject matter within to warrant multiple reads. And that book on relationships? I’d be there for that. Heck, I’ll read whatever he releases. His books never fail to inspire me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Inc. for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
August 2, 2020
I have found all of the other books by this author simply hard to get through. Yet this book really inspired me and spoke to me. Good sound advice and words and a walk through to what you might be going through. Recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 14, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Wise As Fu*k: Simple Truths To Guide You Through Life’s Sh*tstorms
Author: Gary John Bishop
Release Date: Oct. 13, 2020
⠀
I’ve heard a lot of good things about other books written by this author. I’ve seen his books displayed front and center at bookstores, as well as, all over social media. So when I learned he was releasing a new book, I jumped at the opportunity to read it.
⠀
There are four topics in the book...Love, Loss, Fear and Success. Each topic has two chapters. One chapter discusses the topic in general. The chapter that follow contains Bishop’s wisdom.
⠀
As much as I want to give the book 5⭐️s, unfortunately I cannot. It just didn’t resonate with me. Bishop’s writing style was a little to wordy for me. I found myself rereading paragraphs to be sure I was getting a clear understanding.
⠀
Also, I didn’t always agree with the author’s “wisdom”. There were moments it felt as if I was being chastised by a parent. Telling me, I’m too emotional! And emotions have no place when it comes to achieving my goals. Warning me that positivity is a distraction that will cause me not to move into action.
⠀
But, there is one gem I picked up from Bishop’s wisdom. A very powerful one! From now on, when I’m discussing a loved one that has passed away, I will no longer say I “lost” that person. Instead I will refer to them in the present tense because they are still with me. Still in my heart. They will live in me as long as I’m alive. Therefore, they are not gone. I find this idea very comforting.
Title: Wise As Fu*k: Simple Truths To Guide You Through Life’s Sh*tstorms
Author: Gary John Bishop
Release Date: Oct. 13, 2020
⠀
I’ve heard a lot of good things about other books written by this author. I’ve seen his books displayed front and center at bookstores, as well as, all over social media. So when I learned he was releasing a new book, I jumped at the opportunity to read it.
⠀
There are four topics in the book...Love, Loss, Fear and Success. Each topic has two chapters. One chapter discusses the topic in general. The chapter that follow contains Bishop’s wisdom.
⠀
As much as I want to give the book 5⭐️s, unfortunately I cannot. It just didn’t resonate with me. Bishop’s writing style was a little to wordy for me. I found myself rereading paragraphs to be sure I was getting a clear understanding.
⠀
Also, I didn’t always agree with the author’s “wisdom”. There were moments it felt as if I was being chastised by a parent. Telling me, I’m too emotional! And emotions have no place when it comes to achieving my goals. Warning me that positivity is a distraction that will cause me not to move into action.
⠀
But, there is one gem I picked up from Bishop’s wisdom. A very powerful one! From now on, when I’m discussing a loved one that has passed away, I will no longer say I “lost” that person. Instead I will refer to them in the present tense because they are still with me. Still in my heart. They will live in me as long as I’m alive. Therefore, they are not gone. I find this idea very comforting.
September 1, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Gary John Bishop for the e-ARC. I absolutely loved this book. I think my favorite advice from it was “True strength doesn’t come from your character, but from your willingness to go beyond it.” I am a firm believer that talent and/or intelligence will get you so far but GRIT will get you everywhere. I love his style because it is brutal but honest. No sugarcoating with real life practical advice. Definitely a great read especially these days.
November 30, 2020
OMG! This is the worst book I've read/listened to this year - 2020! So superficial!!!
December 1, 2020
Besides his words regarding fear, the rest didn't really resonate with me.
March 3, 2023
This book is basically F this F that. It won’t make you feel any wiser . Some cool F’N’ points but nothing to F about. I wouldn’t F’N’ recommend.
December 30, 2021
Feel good, go do something kind of book. Easy read. Something I can come back to if ever I need motivation or a nudge for action.
Some takeaways
-Most tested, least wise
-Introspection and retrospection
-The desire to blame others is always greater than introspection
-Finding someone to point my finger to, doesn't do any good
-Do something that scares me. This could be anything. Just don't stay the same.
-Positive thinking doesn't work sometimes. It's more of doing it even though you don't feel like it
Everyone experiences shitstorms and it is more of what I am going to do with the experience that would make me take the steering wheel and not let others to take it.
I loved the steering wheel analogy. Taking control of your life, taking responsibility with how I react to the situation and not letting myself just go with the flow.
Some takeaways
-Most tested, least wise
-Introspection and retrospection
-The desire to blame others is always greater than introspection
-Finding someone to point my finger to, doesn't do any good
-Do something that scares me. This could be anything. Just don't stay the same.
-Positive thinking doesn't work sometimes. It's more of doing it even though you don't feel like it
Everyone experiences shitstorms and it is more of what I am going to do with the experience that would make me take the steering wheel and not let others to take it.
I loved the steering wheel analogy. Taking control of your life, taking responsibility with how I react to the situation and not letting myself just go with the flow.
December 19, 2021
3.5⭐️ rounded up. I have read this whole series and am a fan.
The whole book didn't apply to me but I find that to be the case with all self-help. But that pieces that did hit home, hit hard. I was taking notes as I listened and truly like his no nonsense approach. It's in your face without being in your face if that makes sense.
Quick, actionable steps. Relatable stories and scenarios. Easy to digest and follow. It's a no muss, no fuss approach. It's a book I would easily re-listen to and while any time of the year is a good time to reboot I do find myself gravitating towards self-help as I gear up for a new year.
This book hit the spot!
The whole book didn't apply to me but I find that to be the case with all self-help. But that pieces that did hit home, hit hard. I was taking notes as I listened and truly like his no nonsense approach. It's in your face without being in your face if that makes sense.
Quick, actionable steps. Relatable stories and scenarios. Easy to digest and follow. It's a no muss, no fuss approach. It's a book I would easily re-listen to and while any time of the year is a good time to reboot I do find myself gravitating towards self-help as I gear up for a new year.
This book hit the spot!
October 25, 2023
This had some really good points. I felt like I knew most of it but it was still a good reminder. A lot of it was really aggressive though. Like I don’t need tough love lol. And there were definitely sections that I didn’t “need” but other sections I wanted to make copies of and send out to people.
September 18, 2024
I always enjoy his books. With this particular book, I found that certain sections didn’t resonate with me so I skipped it.
Overall would recommend this book.
For me it was a lot of gentle reminders.
Overall would recommend this book.
For me it was a lot of gentle reminders.
March 14, 2021
A 3.5 star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
I found his first book to be a lot better than this one. This one I found to be repetitive and nothing ground-breaking, a few good points but mostly filler. If you want to read I recommend the audio book rather than taking the time to read it.
November 3, 2020
3.5 stars.
I read this because was really impressed by the content of the author’s first book. Here, again, there are aspects that I’m not totally sure that I agree with. But on the whole, I feel very similarly to the author that we are are incredibly powerful, forces of nature and that life is full to the brim with possibilities for all of us.
I think that if I had read a physical copy of this book, I would have liked it even more - which is an incredibly rare statement for me to me. I almost always love the audiobook version most. But, you know how it is really irritating and distracting for someone to write swaths of text in all-caps? Well, that is how the author reads the majority of this book, and I found it quite off-putting. I can understand that he is incredibly passionate about getting his transformational work across, but most of the time I felt like I was being yelled at. 🤣
All-caps shouting aside, if you haven’t come across these concepts before or haven’t listened to any no-bullshit, hard love, for your own good style of inspiration, you are likely to get all the feels reading this book. But very much of the time, he is absolutely right about each of us taking back our own power and making good out of it.
I read this because was really impressed by the content of the author’s first book. Here, again, there are aspects that I’m not totally sure that I agree with. But on the whole, I feel very similarly to the author that we are are incredibly powerful, forces of nature and that life is full to the brim with possibilities for all of us.
I think that if I had read a physical copy of this book, I would have liked it even more - which is an incredibly rare statement for me to me. I almost always love the audiobook version most. But, you know how it is really irritating and distracting for someone to write swaths of text in all-caps? Well, that is how the author reads the majority of this book, and I found it quite off-putting. I can understand that he is incredibly passionate about getting his transformational work across, but most of the time I felt like I was being yelled at. 🤣
All-caps shouting aside, if you haven’t come across these concepts before or haven’t listened to any no-bullshit, hard love, for your own good style of inspiration, you are likely to get all the feels reading this book. But very much of the time, he is absolutely right about each of us taking back our own power and making good out of it.
October 13, 2022
I hit a depressive funk this morning and was sitting in self-pity, so I decided I needed Gary John Bishop to yell at me for a bit in his lovely Scottish accent. I realized I hadn’t read this one, so I grabbed the audiobook and finished it in a sitting. It’s on par with his others. The issue I’ve noticed with Bishop’s books is that he’s unable to capture the lightning in a bottle like he did with his first book because there are just so many different topics to cover. So, in this one, there were some topics that didn’t relate to anything I’m going through like the chapter on love or chapter on loss. But, they’ll be there if I ever need them.
It’s worth the read if you’re like me and need some tough love now and then.
It’s worth the read if you’re like me and need some tough love now and then.
February 7, 2021
A collection of reflections but didn’t enjoy it as much as Do the Work.
October 17, 2020
Wise as Fu*k
Simple Truths to Guide You Through the Sh*tstorms of Life
by Gary John Bishop
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Self-Help
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Wise as Fu*k by Gary John Bishop is a no-nonsense personal development book. It is broken into 4 sections: Love, Loss, Fear, & Success.
I had never read any of the other books by Gary John Bishop, so I was very excited for this opportunity. While the book was very interesting, I thought it fell a little flat. The book was straight to the point, hit on some hard topics, but it felt very technical for me.
I will try listening to the audiobook and see if that helps improve the tone of the book. Sometimes, I enjoy a book more if I can imagine it being read in the author's voice.
I'm so grateful to Gary John Bishop, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Simple Truths to Guide You Through the Sh*tstorms of Life
by Gary John Bishop
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Self-Help
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Wise as Fu*k by Gary John Bishop is a no-nonsense personal development book. It is broken into 4 sections: Love, Loss, Fear, & Success.
I had never read any of the other books by Gary John Bishop, so I was very excited for this opportunity. While the book was very interesting, I thought it fell a little flat. The book was straight to the point, hit on some hard topics, but it felt very technical for me.
I will try listening to the audiobook and see if that helps improve the tone of the book. Sometimes, I enjoy a book more if I can imagine it being read in the author's voice.
I'm so grateful to Gary John Bishop, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
November 13, 2021
Książka z pewnością do powtórzenia, bynajmniej rozdziały o miłości i stracie.
Dwie rzeczy z niej wyniosłem - należy działać i wpływać/ pomagać innym jak tylko możemy gdyż nikt nie pamięta ludzi którzy siedzieli na trybunach (publiczności) nawet jeśli siedzieli w pierwszym rzędzie tylko każdy pamięta graczy.
Książka wieloaspektowa, momentami ciężka do zrozumienia i przetrawienia choć pisana z pozoru prostym językiem i naprawdę szybko się czyta - w pewnych momentach gładko wchodzi treść lecz aby ją zrozumieć i przetrawić potrzeba sporo więcej czasu.
Tak więc nawet jeśli nie jesteś miliarderem pokroju Billa Gatesa możesz zmieniać Świat w najbliższym otoczeniu a nawet dalszym. Książka przywróciła mi wiarę we własne siły i odwróciła zwątpienie związane z pisaniem Bloga - tak komentował głównie dotychczas tylko sadysta hejter.
Chcesz miłości dawaj miłość, pragniesz dobra dawaj dobro - możesz zmienić Świat!
Istniejesz w nim więc jesteś ważny - tu mam ciężką przeprawę gdyż powiedzmy szczerze płeć piękna mnie olewa ze względu mojej choroby (nie liczę tu jednego dzień dobry na miesiąc albo miłej obsługi w sklepie - bo to punkt usługowy...) i czuję, że mało znaczę... Cóż książka do głębszych przemyśleń i sporo do wdrożenia w życie - np w kontaktach z najbliższymi.
Polecam 5 STAR i pora na inne pozycje autora!
I może w końcu ruszę z pisaniem tej książki!
Dwie rzeczy z niej wyniosłem - należy działać i wpływać/ pomagać innym jak tylko możemy gdyż nikt nie pamięta ludzi którzy siedzieli na trybunach (publiczności) nawet jeśli siedzieli w pierwszym rzędzie tylko każdy pamięta graczy.
Książka wieloaspektowa, momentami ciężka do zrozumienia i przetrawienia choć pisana z pozoru prostym językiem i naprawdę szybko się czyta - w pewnych momentach gładko wchodzi treść lecz aby ją zrozumieć i przetrawić potrzeba sporo więcej czasu.
Tak więc nawet jeśli nie jesteś miliarderem pokroju Billa Gatesa możesz zmieniać Świat w najbliższym otoczeniu a nawet dalszym. Książka przywróciła mi wiarę we własne siły i odwróciła zwątpienie związane z pisaniem Bloga - tak komentował głównie dotychczas tylko sadysta hejter.
Chcesz miłości dawaj miłość, pragniesz dobra dawaj dobro - możesz zmienić Świat!
Istniejesz w nim więc jesteś ważny - tu mam ciężką przeprawę gdyż powiedzmy szczerze płeć piękna mnie olewa ze względu mojej choroby (nie liczę tu jednego dzień dobry na miesiąc albo miłej obsługi w sklepie - bo to punkt usługowy...) i czuję, że mało znaczę... Cóż książka do głębszych przemyśleń i sporo do wdrożenia w życie - np w kontaktach z najbliższymi.
Polecam 5 STAR i pora na inne pozycje autora!
I może w końcu ruszę z pisaniem tej książki!
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