On Becoming Unbreakable

Becoming emotionally unbreakable is a primary skill for achieving happiness. This book presents the principles of psychological strength, together with stories of people who have used those principles: How did Joseph Abbeel survive the Napoleonic wars, and manage to start a new life? Which crucial success principle was discovered by the Ancient Roman poet Ovid? How did Buffalo Bill cope with his tremendous financial mistakes? How did William Turner protect himself against negative criticism? Their stories will show you what to do when you are confronted with severe problems, even when everything seems lost. This book aims at making you highly resistant to adversity. Its principles will enable you to move on with your life despite difficulties, obstacles, and setbacks. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 - Refuse to listen to pessimistic messages

Better opportunities can be found

Practise this great philosophy every day

Imagine a happy outcome

Surviving and thriving against all odds

There is plenty of light in the darkness

A method for preventing serious mistakes

The search for a balanced perspective Chapter 2 - Never stop asking for what you want

The power of universal principles

A man should be measured by his ambitions

When obstacles seem insurmountable

In praise of a polite, courteous approach

A simple technique for increasing your self-assurance

The fisherman and the hook

When a heavy storm breaks out Chapter 3 - Learn to rely primarily on yourself

Penniless and uneducated, but determined

Surviving a major crisis without a scratch

Without resources and social connections

Looking for possibilities of advancement

A particularly unimpressive man

Choose a consistent strategy

A machine that functions under any kind of weather Chapter 4 - Keep trudging forward

Decisiveness in the face of adversity

How to thrive after having your reputation trashed

A man makes a big mistake and loses his savings

Six lessons that you should never forget

An embattled man regains his peace of mind

Never make a promise you don't intend to keep

The immense value of having a tough skin Chapter 5 - Be relentlessly entrepreneurial

Talent development makes fear disappear

A popular theory that is completely false

How to flex your psychological muscles

A poor communicator becomes a brilliant instructor

Observe the facts, and draw your own conclusions

Resilience multiplied by a factor of ten

A major mistake and a major lesson Chapter 6 - Identify the crucial elements

A virtue that goes hand in hand with self-confidence

Don't be more cautious than you need to

A dominant paradigm blown to smithereens

Adopt a straightforward approach

Protect your privacy so that it protects your sanity

Misunderstood and vilified, but still a winner

Keep your margin of safety during bad times Chapter 7 - Protect yourself from predators

Making an unusual career choice

The courage to call things by their names

Beware of stories that are too good to be true

Shun impracticality and waste

Holding a wolf by the ears

The essence of civilized behaviour

Stay away from ethical decay Chapter 8 - Adopt a realistic approach

Here is a down-to-earth philosophy

The great advantage of having clear ideas

Like a rock that breaks the waves

How to judge people and events accurately

Striving for a well-measured proportionality

Beware of caring more than you should Chapter 9 - Don't be blinded by false arguments

The question nobody dares to ask

Dealing with widespread passivity

The adherence to worthless dogmas

Social myths and superstitions

Beginning is tough, but obstacles can be surmounted

A highly productive second life

It is time to overcome self-inflicted blindness