Mind Hacking by Sir John Hargrave

Have you ever been stuck in a loop of struggling with staying focused, feeling held back by self-doubt, or grappling with the daunting prospect of overcoming mental barriers? Just as hackers decipher intricate codes to gain access to systems, mind hacking involves leveraging our cognitive processes to overcome obstacles, rewire our thought patterns, and ultimately achieve success in various aspects of life. In this pursuit of personal and professional triumph, the idea of mind hacking presents an intriguing avenue to reshape our minds for a brighter future.

Amidst this backdrop, this review delves into the book ‘Mind Hacking: How to Change Your Mind for Good in 21 Days’ by Sir John Hargrave which explores the transformative concept of mind hacking for success.

He is known as the publisher of Bitcoin Market Journal, a key guide for blockchain investors. His authored works, including ‘Blockchain for Everyone’ and coauthoring ‘Blockchain Success Stories,’ have solidified his expertise in blockchain.

‘Mind Hacking: How to Change Your Mind for Good in 21 Days’ by Sir John Hargrave provides a transformative roadmap for reshaping your mindset, eliminating negativity, unproductive habits, and anxious thoughts – all within a focused span of 21 days.

Within its contents, the book introduces an actionable 3-step program spanning 21 days, aimed at rewiring your brain and nurturing healthier cognitive patterns. Hargrave, drawing parallels between the human mind and computer systems, presents a methodology centred around analysis, imagination, and reprogramming – serving to deconstruct mental obstacles and unlock your untapped potential. Through this formula, readers are guided toward a profound transformation in their thought processes, which can yield triumphs in both personal and professional realms.

• Introduction

In ‘Mind Hacking,’ the concept of attention is explored in two distinct forms: voluntary and reflexive. The book suggests that by understanding and manipulating these attention types, individuals can reshape their cognitive habits. By minimising digital distractions, based on research into psychological anxiety, readers are encouraged to reclaim their sense of contentment and focus. Practical strategies, such as disabling social media notifications and limiting TV consumption, offer a concrete starting point. The book emphasizes the role of meditation and mindfulness in concentration training, providing a step-by-step guide to improve focus and reduce wandering thoughts. Creating consistent meditation habits through cues and rewards is highlighted as a pathway to increased mental clarity and self-analysis.

‘Mind Hacking’ highlights the transformative potential of harnessing the imagination. Drawing on research, the book encourages readers to devote just 20 minutes daily to imagining their ‘best possible future selves.’ This practice has been shown to boost happiness, health, and positivity.

The book contends that imagination acts as a precursor to reality, shaping outcomes. Hargrave provides five imagination games that are supposed to amplify ones envisioning power. These exercises prompt readers to envision their emotions, aspirations, desires, contributions, and legacy in just a single word. By anchoring these words, readers can establish positive thought loops that fuel personal growth and transformation.

‘Mind Hacking’ underscores the transformative potential of writing, repetition, and positive emotion in achieving one’s goals. The book draws inspiration from inventor Thomas Edison, who habitually wrote down his ideas as a precursor to successful inventions. It emphasises the significance of writing down goals, pointing out that major decisions often lack progress without this practice.

The book highlights the effectiveness of writing by referencing a weight-loss study where keeping food diaries led to better choices and successful weight-loss outcomes. Writing, whether digitally or on paper, enhances mind-hacking skills and boosts goal attainment. Regularly revisiting written goals enhances focus and reinforces positive thought patterns, while refining these patterns through repetition makes them more tangible and aids in identifying opportunities aligned with larger objectives. The principle of ‘not breaking the chain,’ as demonstrated by Jerry Seinfeld, emphasizes the potency of repetition for consistent advancement. Additionally, the book introduces the concept of smiling during the repetition of positive loops, showcasing its capacity to cultivate optimism and enthusiasm, thereby enhancing goal pursuit.

Strengths

Weaknesses

“You can't force your mind to stop thinking negative thoughts!… What we are after is not mind control but mind training.”

“Go to any technology conference, and you'll notice that practically everyone is immersed in a screen – phone, tablet, laptop – paying little attention to what is actually going on. It's disconcerting to speak at these events, because no one is looking at you. Everyone is "listening with one ear," which seems worse than not listening at all. These are conferences that cost thousands of dollars to attend, and people are barely paying attention!”

“Write down each positive thought loop on the practice sheet at the end of the book. Focus on getting it done, not getting it perfect; you can always rewrite your code later.”

Where to buy

You may purchase ‘Mind Hacking’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.

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