Corey Yeager – How Am I Doing?: Summary with Audio

Book Info

• Book name: How Am I Doing?
• Author: Corey Yeager
• Genre: Self-Help & Personal Development
• Published Year: 2022
• Language: English

Audio Summary

Synopsis

In “How Am I Doing?”, Dr. Corey Yeager presents a transformative approach to self-discovery through 40 carefully crafted questions. This guide encourages readers to engage in meaningful self-dialogue, promoting personal growth and enhanced self-awareness. By exploring topics ranging from core values to past experiences, Yeager provides a roadmap for individuals to gain clarity, boost confidence, and make better life decisions. The book’s practical exercises and insightful reflections make it an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to improve their mental well-being and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.

Key Takeaways

• Self-talk is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery
• Prioritizing self-care is essential for overall well-being and ability to care for others
• Acknowledging vulnerabilities can lead to personal freedom and growth opportunities
• Understanding the root causes of emotions, especially anger, is crucial for emotional intelligence
• Mistakes are valuable learning experiences that contribute to personal development

My Summary

Unlocking the Power of Self-Reflection: A Deep Dive into “How Am I Doing?”

As I settled into my favorite reading nook with Dr. Corey Yeager’s “How Am I Doing?”, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. After all, self-help books can be hit or miss. But let me tell you, this book surprised me in the best way possible.

The Art of Self-Talk: More Than Just Mumbling to Yourself

Right off the bat, Yeager addresses something we’ve all done but might be hesitant to admit: talking to ourselves. As someone who’s been caught having full-blown conversations with myself more times than I’d like to admit, I found this incredibly reassuring. Yeager doesn’t just normalize this behavior; he elevates it to an art form.

Self-talk, as Yeager explains, is far more than just muttering under your breath when you can’t find your keys. It’s a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. By engaging in these internal dialogues, we create a safe space to explore our deepest thoughts and feelings. It’s like having a therapist on call 24/7, except that therapist is you.

One of the exercises that really stuck with me was the mirror technique. Yeager suggests treating your reflection as a separate person, someone with a wider perspective on your life. At first, I felt ridiculous standing in front of my bathroom mirror, asking myself for advice. But after a few tries, I was amazed at the insights I gained. It was like tapping into a wiser version of myself I didn’t know existed.

The Paradox of Self-Care: Putting Yourself First to Better Serve Others

Another concept that Yeager explores is the importance of self-care, and it’s one that really hit home for me. As someone who’s always prided myself on being there for others, I’ve often neglected my own needs. Yeager challenges this mindset, arguing that we should value ourselves above all others.

At first, this idea made me uncomfortable. Isn’t putting yourself first selfish? But Yeager makes a compelling case: you can’t pour from an empty cup. By prioritizing our own well-being, we’re actually better equipped to care for those around us.

Yeager suggests keeping a log of situations where you put yourself first and times when you hesitated to do so. I tried this for a week, and the results were eye-opening. I realized how often I was sacrificing my own needs, often for trivial reasons. This exercise helped me start setting healthier boundaries and carving out more “me time” without feeling guilty.

Dreaming Big: The Power of Attainable Wild Dreams

One of my favorite sections of the book deals with dreams and aspirations. Yeager encourages readers to let their minds wander and explore their wildest dreams. As someone who’s always been a bit of a dreamer, I found this incredibly liberating.

But Yeager doesn’t stop at just dreaming. He provides a practical framework for turning these wild dreams into attainable goals. The concept of breaking down big dreams into macro and micro goals was particularly helpful. It made even my most outlandish aspirations feel within reach.

For instance, I’ve always harbored a secret dream of writing a novel. Using Yeager’s approach, I broke this down into macro goals (completing a first draft in a year) and micro goals (writing 500 words a day). Suddenly, my wild dream didn’t seem so wild anymore.

Embracing Vulnerability: The Strength in Admitting Weakness

Perhaps the most challenging but rewarding part of the book for me was the section on vulnerability. Yeager argues that our vulnerabilities, far from being weaknesses to be hidden, are actually opportunities for growth and connection.

This idea resonated deeply with me. I’ve always been someone who tries to project an image of having it all together. But Yeager’s words made me realize how exhausting and ultimately counterproductive this can be.

He suggests admitting our vulnerabilities not just to ourselves, but to others as well. This was terrifying at first, but I decided to give it a try. I opened up to a close friend about my struggles with imposter syndrome. To my surprise, not only was she incredibly supportive, but she shared her own similar experiences. This moment of vulnerability led to a deeper connection and a sense of relief that I wasn’t alone in my struggles.

Anger Management: Digging Deeper into Our Emotions

Yeager’s exploration of anger was particularly enlightening. He posits that anger is often a secondary emotion, masking deeper feelings of disappointment or sadness. This was a real “aha” moment for me.

I’ve always considered myself a pretty even-tempered person, but I realized that when I do get angry, it’s often because I’m feeling hurt or let down. Yeager suggests an exercise where you stop and question your anger in the moment, trying to identify the underlying emotion.

I started doing this, and it was like putting on a pair of emotional glasses. Situations that would have previously just made me angry now became opportunities for self-reflection. Why was I really upset? What was I actually feeling beneath the anger? This practice has not only helped me manage my emotions better but has also improved my relationships by allowing me to communicate my feelings more accurately.

The Gift of Mistakes: Learning from Our Missteps

One of the most comforting aspects of Yeager’s book is his approach to mistakes. Instead of viewing them as failures to be ashamed of, he reframes them as valuable learning experiences.

Yeager outlines a four-step process for dealing with mistakes: honesty, understanding, forgiveness, and gratitude. This approach transformed how I view my own missteps. Instead of beating myself up over errors, I now try to approach them with curiosity and compassion.

For example, when I recently missed an important deadline at work, instead of spiraling into self-recrimination, I used Yeager’s approach. I honestly assessed what went wrong, tried to understand the circumstances that led to the mistake, forgave myself, and even found gratitude for the lesson learned about time management. This shift in perspective has been incredibly freeing.

The Power of 23 Seconds: Making Every Moment Count

One of the most practical takeaways from the book is Yeager’s concept of using short bursts of time effectively. He challenges readers to consider what they can accomplish in just 23 seconds.

At first, this seemed like an impossibly short amount of time. But Yeager argues that these brief moments can be used for setting intentions, refocusing our thoughts, or preparing for upcoming challenges.

I’ve started implementing this in my daily life, using those spare moments before meetings or important conversations to center myself and set clear intentions. It’s amazing how much of a difference these brief pauses can make in my focus and effectiveness.

Laughter as Medicine: The Importance of Humor in Self-Development

Yeager concludes with a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. He emphasizes the importance of laughter and humor in our journey of self-discovery and growth.

This was a refreshing note to end on. Personal development work can often feel heavy and serious, but Yeager reminds us that joy and laughter are essential components of a well-rounded life.

I’ve made a conscious effort to incorporate more humor into my daily routine, whether it’s through watching comedy specials, sharing jokes with friends, or simply finding the funny side of everyday situations. It’s amazing how much this simple practice has lifted my mood and reduced stress.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Taking

“How Am I Doing?” is more than just a self-help book; it’s a companion for self-discovery. Yeager’s 40 questions serve as guideposts on a journey to greater self-awareness and personal growth.

What sets this book apart is its practical approach. It’s not about grand gestures or radical life changes, but about small, consistent steps towards self-improvement. The exercises and reflections are easily incorporated into daily life, making personal growth feel achievable and sustainable.

As I closed the final pages of “How Am I Doing?”, I felt a sense of optimism and empowerment. Yeager’s words had given me a new set of tools for navigating life’s challenges and celebrating its joys.

Whether you’re a seasoned self-help enthusiast or new to the world of personal development, I highly recommend giving this book a read. It might just change the way you talk to yourself – and that could change everything.