The One Book That Can Put Your Lives Back On Track. Review on Get Out Of Your Own Way - Mark Goulston

About the Author

Mark Goulston, the American psychiatrist, was a consultant with Fortune 500 companies, universities, and other organizations. He developed the concept of Surgical Empathy helping free people from internal emotional and psychological trauma that interferes with their functioning, or the lack of it. The satisfaction and contentment in life are derived from fighting these traumas. Unfortunately, he is no longer among us having passed away on 30th December, 2023.

My introduction to the book happened quite accidentally when I came across a news headline somewhere about Goulston’s demise and this special book he had written. That set things rolling and I could lay my hands on the coveted book.

About the Book

Goulston’s style is lucid and easy to understand what he wishes to convey. Of course, he doesn’t sell you the book as a means to a quick remedy or solution. He is honest enough to make you understand that there is no solution if there are no hard yards. If you follow Goulston’s advice it may take months or years before you start seeing results. But then, that is how you consistently overcome your weaknesses.

A quick or short-term remedy is a sure way of weaning away from your goals. This book wants you to put in a lot more effort than you did in the past to overcome your weaknesses which means you need to be more disciplined and diligent in your approach towards problems or stressful situations. The book is divided into four sections:

Part One: Understanding Self-Defeating Behavior

This section deals with understanding the core problems affecting our behaviour. We need to be honest and sincere in identifying our behavioural patterns. Identifying our weaknesses is as good as half the battle won. The advice given by Goulston is clear and concise. You just can’t go wrong there.

Part Two: Changing Self-Defeating Behavior

This section deals with how to change our problematic or self-defeating behaviour. How we should learn to improve our self-confidence and counter depression. Depression, if not handled properly and in time can lead to suicidal tendencies. It is paramount that people do not neglect this aspect when dealing with themselves or with someone in the family.

Part Three: Maintaining Change

Once we have understood and identified our behavioural problems and charted out a course correction, we need to stick to it. Maintaining change is just as important.

Part Four: Putting It All Together

It is an amalgamation of the first three sections to further hammer into us the concepts and remedial steps laid down, and the necessity to synergize all the concepts to attain our goals.

My Observations

Apart from the concepts and remedies, Goulston has weaved into the fabric of the book interesting and inspiring stories to help us understand any problem can be overcome if we can understand, identify and make an honest attempt to solve it.

Though I hardly suffer from depression or any major trauma or stress-related issues, I found this book highly interesting and stimulating. I believe this book is a must-read for anyone who has depression or suicidal tendencies. If they have, this book can change their life and destiny. Additionally, it can bring back all the joy they have been missing in their lives.

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