Barking Up the Wrong Tree

The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong
by Eric Barker | HarperOne © 2017 · 320 pages

Eric Barker is the creator of the blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree, which “presents science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.” This is a REALLY engaging, well-written, compelling book. Eric takes us on a fun adventure through the science of what *really* works. And, as the sub-title suggests: How most of what you *think* works, is either a LOT more nuanced than you may have been led to believe or is just plain wrong. Big Ideas we explore include why valedictorians don’t typically top the success charts, how to get more willpower, why managing your energy is so key, the power of mentors (and how to get one), and the #1 thing to remember for success.


Nothing important comes with instructions.
James Richardson

“What really produces success?

This book explores what brings success in the real world. And I mean life success, not merely making money. What attitudes and behaviors will help you achieve your goals in whatever arena you choose, career or personal? A lot of books cover one facet of the success diamond or present theory without anything actionable. We’re going to look at what works and then learn steps you can use to get where you wanna go. …

Much of what we’ve been told about the qualities that lead to achievement is logical, earnest—and downright wrong. We’ll explode the myths, look at the science behind what separates the extremely successful from the rest of us, learn what we can do to be more like them, and find out in some cases why it’s good that we aren’t.”

~ Eric Barker from Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Eric Barker is the creator of the blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree, which “presents science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.”

He’s also a very funny guy who happens to be a former screenwriter with an MBA.

This is a REALLY engaging, well-written, compelling book. I think it might just land in my current Top 10 favorite books of all time. (Along with a few others that always make the cut: The Tools, The Daily Stoic and Deep Work.)

Seriously. It’s that good.

Eric takes us on a fun adventure through the science of what *really* works. And, as the sub-title suggests: How most of what you *think* works, is either a LOT more nuanced than you may have been led to believe or is just plain wrong.

I HIGHLY recommend it. Get a copy here.

My book is so ridiculously underlined it’s absurd. And, it’s almost funny how many of the same authors/books we love.

Here’s a partial list of the overlap: The Talent Code, Man’s Search for Meaning, Learned Optimism, The Road to Character, Little Bets, Grit, Peak, Outliers, Rethinking Positive Thinking, The As If Principle, Self-Compassion, The Paradox of Choice, The Power of Habit, Smartcuts, Deep Work, Willpower, Spiritual Evolution, Iconoclast, Originals, Wired to Create, The Myths of Happiness and The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work.

I’m excited to share a few of my favorite Big Ideas so let’s jump straight in!

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About the author

Authors

Eric Barker

Sought-after speaker and thought leader in the field of success.