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Stop Doing That Sh*t

Stop Doing That Sh*t

End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back
by Gary John Bishop 2019 240 pages
3.84
6k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. You Are Hardwired to Self-Sabotage

"You self-sabotage because of something else entirely . . . Your sabotage is completely a function of the three saboteurs."

Unconscious Self-Destruction. Self-sabotage is not a conscious choice but a deeply ingrained subconscious mechanism. We repeatedly undermine our own progress without fully understanding why, creating a cycle of struggle and temporary recovery.

Self-Sabotage Manifestations:

  • Destroying relationships at the point of intimacy
  • Undermining career success just before a breakthrough
  • Repeating destructive financial patterns
  • Abandoning health goals after initial progress

Survival Mechanism. This behavior stems from our primal need for safety and predictability. By maintaining familiar patterns, even if they are harmful, we create a sense of control and certainty in an unpredictable world.

2. Your Life is a Product of Subconscious Conclusions

"The past is the template upon which our entire future is based; therefore, it's little wonder we live such lives of limitation and frustration."

Unconscious Programming. Our lives are fundamentally shaped by conclusions we made during our formative years, often without our conscious awareness. These conclusions act as invisible scripts that guide our decisions, behaviors, and experiences.

Origin of Conclusions:

  • Early childhood experiences
  • Interactions with family and environment
  • Survival mechanisms developed in response to challenges
  • Unprocessed emotional experiences

Perpetual Cycle. We continuously seek to validate these subconscious conclusions, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that maintains our current life circumstances, regardless of our conscious desires for change.

3. The Magic Little Sponge: How Your Experiences Shape You

"You were born as a magic little sponge, open and willing and ready to absorb everything the world was presenting you with."

Childhood Absorption. We start life as malleable, open beings capable of absorbing experiences without judgment. Over time, our experiences harden into fixed beliefs and patterns that limit our potential.

Sponge Characteristics:

  • Initially open and adaptable
  • Absorbs experiences without filtering
  • Gradually hardens with accumulated experiences
  • Traps early emotional imprints

Conditioning Process. Our environment, family conversations, and early experiences slowly shape our worldview, creating a set of unconscious rules that govern our interactions and perceptions.

4. The Three Saboteurs: Conclusions About Yourself, Others, and Life

"Either you'll own it or it will own you. There's no in-between."

Fundamental Conclusions. We develop three core, often negative conclusions that dramatically influence our life trajectory:

  • Conclusion about ourselves
  • Conclusion about other people
  • Conclusion about life itself

Impact of Saboteurs:

  • Drive our automatic behaviors
  • Create self-limiting patterns
  • Shape our perception of possibilities
  • Determine our interaction with the world

Unconscious Validation. We continuously seek to prove these conclusions true, even when they work against our best interests, creating a persistent cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies.

5. Your Point of Experience: The Starting Point of Your Life

"Every day is NOT a new day, because you are always starting from the burden of some of the earliest points of your childhood."

Familiar Starting Point. We begin each day from a familiar, subconscious location defined by our three saboteurs. This point of experience acts as an invisible anchor, pulling us back to predictable patterns.

Characteristics of Point of Experience:

  • Feels like a default setting
  • Provides a sense of safety
  • Limits potential and exploration
  • Resists fundamental change

Survival Mechanism. This point serves as a protective mechanism, keeping us within a familiar range of experiences to maintain psychological safety, even at the cost of personal growth.

6. Acceptance is the Gateway to Transformation

"Acceptance is the gateway to real change. It's also something you need to give some real thinking to."

True Acceptance. Genuine acceptance means acknowledging our patterns without judgment, creating space for transformation. It's not about agreeing with or liking our current state, but recognizing it without emotional charge.

Acceptance Strategies:

  • Observe patterns without resistance
  • Remove emotional reaction
  • Recognize subconscious mechanisms
  • Create space for new possibilities

Liberation through Observation. By witnessing our patterns without trying to change them immediately, we create the psychological space needed for genuine transformation.

7. Redirecting Your Life from the Future, Not the Past

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

Future-Oriented Living. Instead of being driven by past experiences, we can design our lives by imagining and working backward from a desired future state. This approach allows for genuine innovation and transformation.

Redirection Principles:

  • Visualize a new life model
  • Work backward from desired outcomes
  • Create systems that support new behaviors
  • Detach from past limiting beliefs

Imagination as a Tool. By using imagination to design our future, we can create pathways that transcend our current limitations and break free from repetitive patterns.

8. Breaking Free from the Cycle of Self-Sabotage

"We rewrite our dreams or stuff them away in the darkness to avoid having them shattered."

Cycle Interruption. Breaking the self-sabotage cycle requires conscious awareness, strategic redirection, and a commitment to authentic self-expression.

Liberation Strategies:

  • Recognize unconscious patterns
  • Develop new identity-based approaches
  • Create supportive environments
  • Practice radical self-acceptance

Transformative Action. True change comes from understanding our subconscious mechanisms and deliberately creating new neural pathways through consistent, intentional action.

9. Understanding Your Unconscious Patterns

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

Pattern Recognition. Identifying our unconscious patterns requires deep self-reflection, honesty, and a willingness to examine our most ingrained behaviors without judgment.

Exploration Techniques:

  • Journal self-observations
  • Track recurring emotional and behavioral patterns
  • Seek external perspectives
  • Practice mindful self-examination

Awareness as Liberation. By bringing unconscious patterns into conscious awareness, we create the possibility of choice and transformation.

10. The Power of Authentic Self-Expression

"You are a human being. Yet you live as if you have some kind of limit or scarcity of being."

Unlimited Potential. Authentic self-expression involves recognizing our inherent capacity for growth, creativity, and transformation beyond our conditioned limitations.

Expression Principles:

  • Embrace continuous personal evolution
  • Release attachment to fixed identities
  • Cultivate curiosity and openness
  • Live from a place of abundance

Transcending Limitations. By committing to genuine self-expression, we can break free from restrictive patterns and live more fully, creatively, and authentically.

Last updated:

Questions & Answers

What's "Stop Doing That Sh*t" about?

  • Self-Sabotage Focus: The book by Gary John Bishop is centered on identifying and overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors that hinder personal growth and fulfillment.
  • Transformative Approach: It offers a no-nonsense, straightforward approach to help readers uncover the subconscious patterns that lead to self-sabotage.
  • Philosophical Insights: Bishop integrates philosophical concepts, particularly from existential and phenomenological perspectives, to provide a deeper understanding of human behavior.
  • Practical Guidance: The book is designed to be a practical guide, encouraging readers to take actionable steps to reclaim their lives from self-destructive habits.

Why should I read "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Identify Self-Sabotage: It helps you recognize the self-sabotaging patterns that are holding you back from achieving your goals.
  • Empowerment: The book empowers you to take control of your life by understanding and addressing the root causes of your self-destructive behaviors.
  • Practical Tools: Bishop provides practical tools and exercises to help you implement changes in your daily life.
  • Straightforward Language: The author uses a direct and engaging style, making complex concepts accessible and relatable.

What are the key takeaways of "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Three Saboteurs: The book identifies three core conclusions about yourself, others, and life that drive self-sabotage.
  • Awareness and Acceptance: Recognizing and accepting these conclusions is crucial to overcoming self-sabotage.
  • Future-Oriented Living: Bishop advocates for living a life guided by future possibilities rather than past limitations.
  • Authentic Pivot: The concept of redirecting focus from self-sabotage to meaningful actions is central to the book's approach.

How does Gary John Bishop define self-sabotage in "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Destructive Patterns: Self-sabotage is described as a series of destructive patterns that undermine personal success and happiness.
  • Subconscious Conclusions: It stems from subconscious conclusions about oneself, others, and life, formed during formative years.
  • Repetitive Cycles: These patterns create repetitive cycles of behavior that keep individuals stuck in unfulfilling situations.
  • Need for Awareness: Bishop emphasizes the need for awareness and acceptance of these patterns to break free from them.

What are the "Three Saboteurs" in "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Personal Conclusion: This is the negative belief you hold about yourself, such as "I'm not smart enough" or "I'm a loser."
  • Social Conclusion: This refers to the negative belief about others, like "People can't be trusted" or "People are controlling."
  • Life Conclusion: This is the negative belief about life itself, such as "Life is a struggle" or "Life is unfair."
  • Impact on Behavior: These conclusions shape your interactions and experiences, leading to self-sabotaging behaviors.

How can I identify my personal conclusion according to "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Self-Reflection: Engage in deep self-reflection to uncover the negative belief you hold about yourself.
  • Patterns of Behavior: Look for patterns in your behavior, especially during times of stress or failure, to identify recurring thoughts.
  • Emotional Triggers: Pay attention to emotional triggers that bring up feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt.
  • Honest Assessment: Be honest with yourself about the underlying belief that drives your actions and decisions.

What is the "Authentic Pivot" concept in "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Redirection Technique: The authentic pivot involves redirecting your focus from self-sabotaging thoughts to meaningful actions.
  • New Focus: It encourages shifting attention to what genuinely interests and inspires you, rather than dwelling on negative patterns.
  • Practical Application: This concept is about taking actionable steps that align with your desired future, rather than being stuck in past behaviors.
  • Empowerment: The authentic pivot empowers you to make conscious choices that lead to personal growth and fulfillment.

How does "Stop Doing That Sh*t" suggest dealing with the past?

  • Acceptance: The book emphasizes accepting the past as it is, without trying to change or dwell on it.
  • Non-Resistance: Avoid resisting or engaging with past events, as this only perpetuates their influence on your present.
  • Focus on the Future: Redirect your energy towards creating a future that inspires and motivates you.
  • Letting Go: Let go of past grievances and focus on building a new model for living that is not constrained by past limitations.

What role does language play in self-sabotage according to Gary John Bishop?

  • Internal Dialogue: Language shapes your internal dialogue, which in turn influences your perception of yourself and your life.
  • Subconscious Influence: The words and phrases you use can reinforce subconscious conclusions and self-sabotaging patterns.
  • Awareness of Language: Becoming aware of your language allows you to challenge and change negative self-talk.
  • Empowering Language: Adopting empowering language can help shift your mindset and support positive change.

What are the best quotes from "Stop Doing That Sh*t" and what do they mean?

  • "You are the problem, and you are the solution!" This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and the power to change one's life.
  • "Whatever you resist persists." It highlights the idea that resisting negative patterns only strengthens them.
  • "You’re not broken, there’s nothing to fix." This quote reassures readers that they are not inherently flawed, but rather need to redirect their focus.
  • "The future has arrived. Now, what the hell are you going to do about it?" It encourages taking immediate action towards creating a desired future.

How does "Stop Doing That Sh*t" propose living a future-oriented life?

  • Vision Creation: Create a clear vision of the future you desire, focusing on what truly inspires you.
  • Backward Planning: Work backward from your future vision to determine the steps needed to achieve it.
  • Daily Actions: Align your daily actions with your future goals, ensuring they contribute to your desired outcomes.
  • Continuous Adjustment: Regularly assess and adjust your actions to stay on track towards your future vision.

What is the significance of the "Magic Little Sponge" analogy in "Stop Doing That Sh*t"?

  • Absorption of Experiences: The analogy represents how individuals absorb experiences and beliefs during their formative years.
  • Hardening Over Time: Over time, these absorbed beliefs harden and become ingrained in the subconscious, influencing behavior.
  • Trapped Patterns: The hardened sponge symbolizes the trapped patterns and conclusions that lead to self-sabotage.
  • Need for Awareness: Recognizing the hardened sponge allows individuals to become aware of and address these ingrained patterns.

Review Summary

3.84 out of 5
Average of 6k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Stop Doing That Sh*t receives mixed reviews, with an average rating of 3.84 out of 5. Many readers appreciate the author's blunt, no-nonsense approach to self-help, finding it refreshing and motivating. The book focuses on identifying and addressing self-sabotaging behaviors. Some readers found it insightful and helpful in breaking destructive patterns, while others felt it lacked depth or originality. The audiobook narrated by the author is recommended for his Scottish accent. Critics note that the book spends more time defining problems than offering solutions.

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About the Author

Gary John Bishop is a personal development expert from Glasgow, Scotland. His tough-love approach and urban philosophy have made a significant impact on thousands of people worldwide. Bishop's background combines grit and wit from his early life with world-class training in personal development. He became a senior program director for a leading personal development organization and is known for his ability to cut through to the heart of issues. Bishop's approach is influenced by ontology, phenomenology, and philosophy. He doesn't claim perfection but uses his own experiences to mentor others. His work is described as life-changing, inspiring, and grounding.

Other books by Gary John Bishop

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