Self-Observation - There is no more time to lose.
Why We Avoid Our Lives and How to Take Back Control Through Self-Leadership This is a self-leadership book for people who take responsibility for themselves and others.
A practical handbook based on Stoic philosophy, modern psychology and the author's own existential self-observations, which deals with self-leadership, inner sustainability, mindset shift and mental training by Gunnar Björklund to honor the memory of his son Valter from 1998 to 2023.
This book is an awakening that each person has their own responsibility for their own self-leadership. It is about perhaps the most important of all discoveries - that only you, no one else, has the power to influence and transform your life.
Humanity has achieved astonishing scientific and technological feats. But on an inner level, the existential, psychological and moral center of who we are, we are tormented, often unable to resolve the most fundamental aspects of human suffering, about our emotions, thoughts, happiness, love, direction, intimacy and meaning.
The brain is our most complex and sensitive organ known to man. We expose our brain to stress, sleep deprivation, distractions and overstimulation on a daily basis - how does this actually affect our mental and existential health? Research shows that the brain is neither evolutionarily nor biologically adapted to the pace, demands and abundance of distractions of modern society.
The consequence is a silent epidemic of existential ill health, something that the WHO, the Government and the Public Health Agency now describe as one of the greatest challenges of our time.
In our age of choice, comparison, and constant information - more internal storms arise than external ones . Many chase happiness, love, and material status, but we thrive best when we let go of those demands. Inner peace and the ability to live in the present have become scarce. Constant online connectivity has led to loneliness in reality. The greatest battle we fight is not against the world, but within ourselves. We actually need meaning, context, and direction , but in vain try to cure the inner emptiness through superficial distractions, entertainment, social media, work, consuming more, or drugs.
Your thoughts can be your biggest enemy - or your best friend. Research shows that negative thought patterns lead to stress, burnout, addiction and, in the worst case, suicidal thoughts. In addition, more than 40% have a static mindset - a way of thinking that slows down both personal development and inner well-being.
When you learn to understand and take control of your thoughts and feelings, your whole life changes. As you think - so will your life be.
When the author's son Valter tragically passed away, a strong conviction was born: if these philosophical tools for life, exercises in self-leadership and mental strength had been available and practiced at a young age, perhaps Valter's life would have taken a different direction.
These wisdoms and methods are valuable both for the individual and for society at large. If they were practiced in schools, workplaces and in everyday life, more people would be able to break destructive thought patterns, live more sustainably, find meaning and feel better. The result would be a more balanced and freer life - both personally and collectively. We live as if we have all the time in the world. But the truth is, we don't. With every ticking second, a moment of your life is lost. There is no more time to lose - Read the book before it is too late.
All proceeds from the book go to research and education in self-leadership, existential health and addiction - It's about life, so that more young people have access to the tools that can both improve lives.
