Mon. Jan 29th, 2024
‘Get Epic Shit Done’ by Ankur Warikoo (book cover)

This article provides an extensive review of ‘Get Epic Shit Done’, a publication that stands as a beacon of guidance for young adults. Emulating the conversational style of ‘The Courage to be Disliked’ by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, this work serves as a mentor in print form, offering answers to pivotal life questions. 

Spanning four key areas of personal development, it offers a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern life.

In-Depth Overview

Ankur Warikoo’s ‘Get Epic Shit Done’ emerges not just as a book but as a life manual, specially tailored for the age group of 15 to 22 years. It’s structured into four distinct sections, each addressing a critical aspect of life management:

  • PART 1: Managing Your Life – This section delves into the art of decision-making, time management, and personal responsibility;
  • PART 2: Managing Career – Here, the focus shifts to career planning, skill development, and navigating workplace challenges;
  • PART 3: Managing People – This part provides insights into interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and team dynamics;
  • PART 4: Managing Yourself – It emphasizes self-care, mental health, and personal growth.

Each section contains a series of questions and scenarios that resonate deeply with the target age group, providing a mirror to their dilemmas and aspirations.

Key Questions Addressed

‘Get Epic Shit Done’ poses and addresses vital questions, four of which, representing each section, are:

  • How Do I Manage My Time? – Strategies for effective time allocation and prioritization;
  • How Can I Forgive My Parents? – Approaches to understanding and resolving familial conflicts;
  • How Do I Pick the Right Career? – Guidelines for aligning personal passions with professional choices;
  • How Can I Have a Sleep Routine? – Tips for establishing healthy sleep patterns for enhanced productivity.

These questions, along with others in the book, guide readers through a journey of self-discovery and practical problem-solving.

Practical Steps for Public Speaking

The book offers a detailed, three-step approach to mastering public speaking:

  • Writing and Structuring Speech – Emphasizes the importance of drafting speeches, highlighting how this process filters and refines thoughts;
  • Practice and Self-Recording – Suggests recording oneself daily for a year to monitor progress and enhance speaking skills.

Observation and Mimicry – Advises studying and emulating techniques of admired public speakers, enhancing one’s presentation skills.

Decision-Making in Tough Scenarios

For tough decisions, such as starting a new venture, the book suggests a pragmatic approach:

  • Evaluate Worst and Best-Case Scenarios – Encourages writing down the potential outcomes to gain clarity;
  • Readiness Assessment – Advises introspection on one’s preparedness to face potential outcomes.

Time Management Course Integration

Integrating concepts from Warikoo’s time management course, ‘Take Charge Of Your Time’, the book categorizes tasks into:

  • Important Tasks – Essential but not urgent tasks, like household shopping;
  • Urgent Tasks – Immediate attention-required tasks, such as work deadlines;
  • Neither Urgent nor Important Tasks – Leisure activities that bring joy.

By categorizing tasks, readers learn to allocate their time efficiently, prioritizing what truly matters.

Understanding Emotions Through Meditation

The practice of meditation, as suggested, is not about controlling emotions but becoming more aware of them. The process involves:

  • Observing Thoughts: Spend 20 to 30 minutes each morning in solitude, observing thoughts without attempting to solve problems or answer questions;
  • Types of Thoughts: Thoughts may range across various aspects of life, including work, personal aspirations, or leisure activities;
  • Awareness over Control: The goal is to gain awareness of emotions and thoughts rather than trying to control them.

This technique enhances self-awareness and mindfulness, essential for emotional intelligence.

Discovering Your Passion with Ikigai

Ikigai, a Japanese concept, is incorporated to help find one’s passion. It involves a four-step process:

  • Identifying Joy: Determine what activities bring you happiness;
  • Assessing Skills: Reflect on whether you have the skills for these activities;
  • World’s Needs: Consider if your passion meets a need in the world;
  • Economic Viability: Explore how you can monetize your passion.

For instance, if you love reading, consider creating content around it, like book reviews, to generate income.

Choosing the Right Career Path

When selecting a career:

  • Avoid Following Others: Don’t choose a career based on others’ choices. Pursue what aligns with your interests and goals;
  • Exploring Options: Experiment with different roles or industries in your spare time to discover what resonates with you;
  • Maintaining Stability: Keep your current job while exploring new avenues.

This approach ensures a pragmatic transition to a fulfilling career without jeopardizing financial stability.

Building Multiple Income Streams

To develop multiple income sources:

  • Stable Primary Income: Ensure a reliable primary income source;
  • Diverse Ventures: Experiment with various side projects like websites, stock market investments, or YouTube channels;
  • Consistency and Patience: Maintain consistency in your efforts, understanding that results take time.

Austin Kleon’s advice to create content around your passions can be a starting point for developing additional income streams.

Navigating Career Choices with Parents

When discussing career choices with parents:

  • Understanding Their Perspective: Recognize that parents may have different viewpoints based on their upbringing and era;
  • Demonstrating Your Plan: Show them a clear roadmap of your career choice, possibly with examples of successful individuals in your chosen field;
  • Negotiating Time: If they are hesitant, propose a timeframe (e.g., two years) to prove the viability of your career choice.

This approach balances respect for parental guidance with pursuing personal career aspirations.

Forgiving Parents

Forgiveness towards parents involves understanding their perspective:

  • Recognizing Generational Differences: Acknowledge that their approach to life and parenting may stem from their own experiences and societal norms of their time;
  • Changing Dynamics Over Time: Observe the shift in their priorities and interactions as they age.

This understanding can foster empathy and forgiveness, strengthening familial bonds.

Fostering Family Relationships

In the journey of life, it’s essential to appreciate and spend quality time with parents, especially fathers who often shoulder the responsibility of providing a stable life for their families. Their efforts, often a reflection of the values instilled in them by their parents, deserve recognition and understanding.

  • What to Do: Show appreciation for the sacrifices and efforts your father has made. Understand his perspective and spend meaningful time with him;
  • What Not to Do: Avoid neglecting or disregarding your parents. Their experiences and sacrifices have shaped your current opportunities.

Developing Patience in a Fast-Paced World

In an era where instant gratification is the norm, developing patience is a crucial skill. Unlike previous generations, who were accustomed to longer wait times and less technology, the current generation faces different challenges in cultivating patience.

  • Practical Steps: Delay gratification. For instance, if considering a new smartphone purchase, wait for 30 days before making a decision. This practice helps in differentiating between genuine needs and fleeting desires;
  • Mindful Consumption: Reflect on your impulses, whether it’s related to food, technology, or other desires. Learning to wait can cultivate a more patient mindset.

Establishing a Healthy Sleep Routine

Gradual change is key to establishing a sustainable sleep routine. The human brain resists abrupt changes, so it’s more effective to make small, incremental adjustments.

  • Stepwise Approach: If aiming to wake up earlier, start by setting the alarm just 15 minutes earlier than usual, gradually decreasing the time over months;
  • Consistency is Key: Avoid drastic changes in your sleep schedule, as these are less likely to be sustainable in the long term.

Building Sustainable Habits

Creating lasting habits requires understanding how the brain functions. The brain seeks to conserve energy while deriving pleasure, often through quick dopamine hits.

  • Starting Small: Begin with manageable chunks of the new habit. For example, start with just 10 to 15 minutes of exercise daily;
  • Incremental Progress: Over time, these small durations become a part of your routine, and you can gradually increase the duration or intensity;
  • Consistency Over Intensity: Focus on maintaining a small, consistent effort rather than attempting a significant change at once;
  • Incorporating these strategies, drawn from ‘Get Epic Shit Done’, can significantly improve one’s approach to personal development, family relationships, and life management.

Inspirational Insights from ‘Get Epic Shit Done’

The publication ‘Get Epic Shit Done’ offers several quotes that encapsulate its core teachings:

  • Navigating Parental Expectations: “Parents seeking stability for your career is not about them going against you. It is about them being scared of an unstable life.” This quote emphasizes understanding and empathizing with parents’ concerns about career choices;
  • The Power of Small Habits: “Habits that give big results start small. Because they are a consequence of pleasure, not pressure.” It highlights the significance of initiating small, enjoyable habits for long-term success;
  • Writing as a Universal Tool: “Writing daily is not just for writers. It is for communicators who wish to express themselves better.” This suggests that regular writing can enhance anyone’s communication skills, not just professional writers.

Comprehensive Review of ‘Get Epic Shit Done’

‘Get Epic Shit Done’ serves as an insightful guide, particularly beneficial for younger audiences. Its straightforward language and modular structure make it accessible and easy to digest. Key points include:

  • Target Audience: Ideal for individuals under 22, offering foundational life lessons and strategies;
  • Flexible Reading: Chapters can be read non-sequentially, allowing readers to focus on topics of immediate interest;
  • Accessibility: The simple language used makes complex concepts easy to grasp.

Implementing Principles from ‘Get Epic Shit Done’

To effectively apply the principles from ‘Get Epic Shit Done’, consider the following steps:

  • Set Realistic Goals: Begin with achievable targets based on the book’s guidance;
  • Incorporate Daily Writing: Use writing as a tool for self-reflection and clarity;
  • Practice Patience: Apply the book’s advice on developing patience in everyday situations;
  • Build Gradual Habits: Start with small habit changes and incrementally increase their complexity.

These steps encourage the practical application of the book’s insights, leading to personal growth and development.

Following the foundational strategies in ‘Get Epic Shit Done’, readers may seek further development through other self-help literature. ’30 Days Change Your Habits Change Your Life’ by Marc Reklau offers a natural progression. This book provides a structured approach to habit transformation over a month, complementing the insights gained from ‘Get Epic Shit Done’.

Conclusion

‘Get Epic Shit Done’ stands as an essential guide for young adults navigating the complexities of life. It offers practical advice, easy-to-understand language, and a flexible reading structure, making it a valuable resource for personal development. 

By incorporating its principles into daily life and continuing the journey with complementary literature like Marc Reklau’s ’30 Days Change Your Habits Change Your Life’, individuals can embark on a path of continuous growth and self-improvement. 

This article has aimed to not only review the book but also provide actionable steps and a broader context for its application, enhancing its value for readers seeking to make meaningful changes in their lives.

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