The Laws of Human Nature
All I can say is that is love the styling of Robert Greene. Every long-winded book of 400 pages is worth it. Please keep in mind all of his books I only do via audiobook. It took several weeks of driving to work to get through it. Now I recommend the book. I recommend all of his work, but to help you, let’s just focus on the concept and you can read/listen to a chapter to what you need.
Master your emotional self: The law of irrationality
We are irrational people, period. Even when you spend time understanding and being tolerant, we use our experience and bias to create out world view. There everything is a spectrum and very little are absolutes.
Transform self-love into empathy: The law of narcissism
All of us will look out for self (self-interest) first. The idea is to accept feedback from our challenges and respect ourselves to know it’s journey of improvement, not a journey to improvement. it’s not hard to turn a friend to a foe.
See through people's masks: The law of role-playing
We all play different parts to different people. We can adapt ourselves to the group and not realize our changing. You can hide a fair amount of emotions, but small parts of yourself will always shine through.
Determine the strength of people's character: The law of compulsive behavior
We compulsively do, behave, and act according to our character. We are condemned to repeat things we fail to learn. If you can take criticism without attack and become secure with asking for and offering help to others you can build a determined and honorable character.
Become an elusive object of desire: The law of covetousness
We greedy. We want stuff now. Instead of focusing on what you want, focus on what others want and see how you can offer resolve.
Elevate your perspective: The law of shortsightedness
If you think you there is a quick shortcut to your goals, most of the time it will fall flat and remain incomplete. Set your priorities and work on sticking to your long-term goal.
Soften people's resistance by confirming their self-opinion: The law of defensiveness
We are prone to defend our positions. If you can, work to confirm the good things that align to their views and they will see you can one of the good ones.
Change your circumstances by changing your attitude: The law of self-sabotage
Don’t get in your own way by saying you cannot and offer excuses around it. Instead understand that you are actively living life and can course correct along the way.
Confront your dark side: The law of repression
We set up societal rules about what we need to be, but nonetheless, we are drawn in the opposite ideas when in private. Do not look to shame yourself, but look at this opposite viewpoints as a way to understand what drives and directs you. Think like the dark side of the force. There is passion and emotion compared to the light side, it do not negate, but enhance the experience. Live a little.
Beware the fragile ego: The law of envy
Your ego is going to get in your way if you remain stubborn. We try to hide our envy as it makes us feel inferior, then we blame all these outside factors as the problem. The problem is within us.
Know your limits: The law of grandiosity
This is the other end of the last law. If you continue to think you are better than others, you will fail to learn anything new.
Reconnect to the masculine or feminine within you: The law of gender rigidity
We have both masculine and feminine traits within ourselves. Holding too hard to gender norms will slow your progress to learn, interact, and improve. It’s not to just go and cross-dress, but understand both sides are still human. We should behave as humans.
Advance with a sense of purpose: The law of aimlessness
Continue to challenge and try different things. Eventually, you’ll be drawn to something to cannot explain. it won’t be about the being the best, but the best way you want to spend your time. Try everything and let your mind sort it out.
Resist the downward pull of the group: The law of conformity
Do not just follow the crowd. A person can be smart, but a large group is often dumber than the sum of it parts. Look to avoid the “us v them” mind and remember we are human first.
Make them want to follow you: The law of fickleness
Learn to be a compassionate leader. We are drawn to natural leaders (whether good or bad). Leaders should work harder then the people working for them.
See the hostility behind the friendly façade: The law of aggression
Watch out for aggressors, especially one fighting primarily for objects over qualities. Look for people demanding to always be front and center. Think Trump’s behavior at the G7. Attack these people indirectly and get them to question control as they fear control and power are only indicators to showcase value. Lack of any control is weakness to them and it drives them crazy.
Seize the historical moment: The law of generational myopia
There are about 4 generations alive at any time. The first comes to power and revolts against the old order to bring in fresh ideas, the second has seen change and looks to establish order, the third is less attached to the first generations ideals and looks to build instead of just having ideas, the fourth sees old order and looks to establish fresh ideas. Boomer/Gen X/Millennial/Zennial.
Mediate on our common morality: The law of death denial.
You are going to die. Do not deny it, but instead Amore Fati. Love Fate. Mediation on death to help set a sense of what is important and what is nonsense.