Author Subh Dasgupta | Genre Self Help | Publisher Notion Press | Originally Published January 27th 2021 | Page Count 260
How can I be better? This is a question many of us keep asking ourselves. Our life is a work in progress and so is self-development. A meaningful, purpose-driven life is what we all seek. And often we turn to self-help books in search of some motivation. ‘Make It Right: The Experiential Guide To Making The Most Of Life‘ by Subh Dasgupta is one such book. The book is author Subh Dasgupta’s debut offering. Subh Dasgupta has been writing professionally for most of the last decade.
The year 2020 was a difficult year for all of us. Suddenly we found ourselves under a lockdown with time in unlimited supply. Death was a dominant theme of 2020. We hardly ever think about death and disease but in 2020, it was difficult to ignore these topics. But the truth is that death is around us every moment. We are inching towards death with every passing moment. This realization was the perfect push for the author to figure out what he wanted to do with this sudden free time in hand.
Make It Right is a comprehensive guide to living a meaningful life through self-discovery and finding purpose. Using a practical approach, the book will help you to leave your past version behind and become a better YOU. It will help you in accepting things and situations in a better way and in processing pains. It will help you to heal and find the courage to live anew. It will help you to embrace purpose and joy in everyday living.
The book is divided into six thought-provoking chapters:
- You’re going to die
- Are you happy now?
- What do you regret?
- Nothing to complain about
- What are you battling?
- Bulletproof your journey
- Seize the day
- The art of acceptance
The author talks about each of these topics in detail by sharing his personal experiences. He gives simple and doable solutions and uses a practical approach so that we may improve upon each area of our lives. Interesting stories, anecdotes and quotes from famous philosophers keep the readers interested.
Every chapter ends with ‘Food for thought’ in which the author asks a few key questions. This gives the readers a pause and time to reflect on their own life. He urges the readers to jot down their answers before moving to the next chapter. This is indeed a very powerful exercise. As we ponder over these questions, a new clarity dawns. The whole exercise is liberating and worth the time.
The author seems to be quite influenced by Stoicism. Major Key points of stoic philosophy are explained in the book in a simple manner. The author has used quotes by stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Zeno of Citium to drive across his point.
For those who don’t know, stoicism is a school of thought which holds that the key to a good, happy life is the cultivation of an excellent mental state, which the Stoics identified with virtue and being rational. It is characterized by indifference to pain and pleasure and teaches the development of self-control and fortitude.
The author is also inspired by the Karma theory as propounded in the Bhagavad Gita. He advocates performing your duties without attachment to the results.
The book is written in simple language. The author has given plenty of advice but still, it doesn’t sound preachy as the author has related it to his own experiences. The practicality of advice is something that the author has ensured. In the author’s words, he has written his own truth in this book…the simple things that he does to lead a meaningful and purpose-driven life.
If you read a lot of self-help books then some of the ideas presented in the book may sound repetitive to you. But if you are a beginner in the self-help genre then this book is the perfect start. I will recommend this book to you if you are looking for an easy, quick and yet effective beginner-friendly self-help book.
My Rating: 4/5
P.S. The author sent me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
©2021 Shaloo Walia All rights reserved
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