Which David Goggins Book do I Read First?

David Goggins has two best-selling, mind-bending books available: Can't Hurt Me and Never Finished. Both of these books are powerful tools for unlocking your mental toughness. Goggins shares his incredible stories in both books, which serve as opportunities for him to teach us how to break through self-doubt and become unshackled from our minds.

Why you should read the stories of David Goggins

David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and former USAF Tactical Air Control Party member known for his endurance, athletic achievements and ability to push through extreme physical and mental challenges. He has completed numerous ultra-marathons, endurance races, and Ironman triathlons and is considered one of the toughest athletes in the world.

Additionally, Goggins has raised over $3 million for various charitable causes through his endurance events. He is also an author and motivational speaker, and his story of overcoming adversity and pushing past self-imposed limits has inspired many people.

Which Goggins book first?

A top-down thinker approaches problem-solving or decision-making by starting with a general idea or goal and then breaking it down into smaller, more specific components. This approach is known as "big picture thinking" or "strategic thinking".

This type of thinker tends to focus on the general principles and ideas that underlie a situation rather than getting bogged down in the details. They often use this method to evaluate the situation and identify the most critical factors necessary to achieve the desired outcome. As a result, they tend to be more visionary and conceptual rather than operational or tactical.

The first book, Can't Hurt Me, has more storytelling, excellent stories, and some straightforward guides at the end of each chapter.

The opposite of a top-down thinker would be a bottom-up thinker. This person approaches problem-solving or decision-making by starting with specific details and working toward a general idea or goal. This approach is also known as "analytical thinking" or "attention to detail".

Bottom-up thinkers tend to focus on the individual parts of a situation and pay close attention to the details. They use this method to understand how the pieces of a problem fit together and to identify the steps needed to achieve the desired outcome. For example, they tend to be more operational or tactical rather than visionary or conceptual.

Regardless of how you learn and think, you can learn so much from David Goggins and his experiences:

1. Mental toughness: Goggins is known for his mental toughness and ability to push through extreme physical and mental challenges. He has often spoken about the importance of developing a solid mindset and its role in achieving goals and overcoming obstacles.
2. The importance of discipline and hard work: Goggins has achieved many of his accomplishments through discipline and hard work and has said these qualities are essential for success.
3. The value of setting and pursuing challenging goals: Goggins has set and achieved many seemingly impossible goals and has spoken about the importance of setting them and the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving them.
4. The importance of perseverance: Goggins has faced many setbacks and failures but has always persevered and continued to work towards his goals. He has spoken about the importance of not giving up and striving for success, even in adversity.
5. The power of self-motivation: Goggins has often spoken about the importance of self-motivation and its role in achieving one's goals. He has encouraged others to find motivation sources and use them to drive their success.

Summary Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare--poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force tactical air controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him the Fittest (Real) Man in America.

In Can't Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40 percent of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.

Buy Can't Hurt Me

Summary Never Finished By David Goggins

This is not a self-help book. It’s a wake-up call!

Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir, demonstrated how much untapped ability we all have but was merely an introduction to the power of the mind. In Never Finished, Goggins takes you inside his Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.

The stories and lessons in this raw, revealing, unflinching memoir offer the listener a blueprint they can use to climb from the bottom of the barrel into a whole new stratosphere that once seemed unattainable. Whether you feel off-course in life, are looking to maximize your potential or drain your soul to break through your so-called glass ceiling, this is the only book you will ever need.

Buy Never Finished