How to be F*cking Awesome
Sticking a finger up to the law of attraction and a thumb up to action
Book Edition Details
Summary
Ever wonder why some people seem to thrive in every facet of life while others falter at each hurdle? "How to Be F*cking Awesome" is your no-nonsense guide to breaking free from mediocrity and embracing a life of exhilarating success. Ditch the worn-out guru spiel and get ready to apply 11 explosive principles that promise a radical transformation. This audiobook isn't just about dreaming big; it's about making sh*t happen, right now. Whether you're itching to launch a business, kickstart a project, or overhaul your entire lifestyle, author Dan cuts through the noise with straight-talking wisdom designed to propel you forward. Prepare to redefine what's possible, live unapologetically on your terms, and have a hell of a good time doing it. Your extraordinary life awaits—are you ready to seize it?
Introduction
Success isn't what most people think it is. It's not about following the crowd, playing it safe, or waiting for permission to chase your dreams. The world is full of people who settle for mediocrity, who let fear dictate their choices, and who spend their lives wondering what could have been. But you're different. You picked up this guide because something inside you knows there's more to life than the conventional path. The journey to becoming truly awesome requires courage, authenticity, and a willingness to embrace the uncomfortable truth that real change starts with being brutally honest about where you are right now. It demands that you stop making excuses, stop waiting for the perfect moment, and start taking action on the dreams you've been putting off. The strategies ahead aren't about overnight transformations or magic bullets. They're about developing the mindset, habits, and relentless determination that separate those who merely survive from those who truly thrive.
Be Selfish and Shameless: Own Your Journey
Being selfish isn't about being cruel or inconsiderate. It's about recognizing that you can't pour from an empty cup. True selfishness means taking care of yourself first so you can better serve others. Most people are conditioned from childhood to think about everyone but themselves, creating a generation of people-pleasers who sacrifice their own dreams, health, and happiness for others' approval. Dan discovered this truth during his darkest financial period when he was doing monthly credit card shuffles just to pay bills, choosing between fuel for his car and food from the reduced section of Tesco. Despite having noble intentions of providing for his disabled sister Anna and supporting his parents, his self-sacrificing approach was actually counterproductive. Working 100-120 hour weeks while neglecting his health led to burnout and illness, making him unable to work at all. The very people he wanted to help were worse off because he hadn't taken care of himself first. The breakthrough came when he finally gave himself permission to be selfish with his time, health, and energy. He started blocking non-negotiable time slots for exercise, proper nutrition, and mental health. He removed toxic people from his life who drained his energy and focused on building genuine relationships that energized him. This wasn't about becoming heartless or abandoning his responsibilities, but about creating a sustainable foundation for long-term success. To implement this approach, start by conducting a brutal audit of where your time and energy actually go. Schedule your own needs first, treating them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. Create boundaries around your time and learn to say no to requests that don't align with your goals. Remember, every yes to something unimportant is a no to something that matters. The airplane oxygen mask analogy perfectly captures this principle: you must secure your own mask before helping others. When you're strong, healthy, and financially stable, you can provide far more value to those who depend on you. Being selfish with your growth creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone in your circle.
Be Valuable and Interesting: Master Your Craft
Value isn't created by accident. It's the result of deliberately developing skills, gaining experiences, and becoming genuinely interesting through continuous learning and growth. Too many people expect success without putting in the work to become truly valuable in the marketplace. They want to charge premium prices while delivering amateur results. Dan learned this lesson the hard way when he transitioned from personal training to copywriting. Instead of jumping in unprepared, he invested months living and breathing the copywriting world, studying under experts, and practicing relentlessly. He went from charging fifteen pounds per hour as a trainer to eventually commanding four-figure fees for coaching calls, but only after developing the skills to justify those rates. His commitment to mastery meant treating every project as an opportunity to get better, even working for free under Ryan Levesque to accelerate his learning. The transformation wasn't just about acquiring technical skills. Dan made himself interesting by embracing curiosity about everything from art galleries and opera to dangerous adventures and quirky experiments. He developed a growth mindset that welcomed new experiences and perspectives, making him someone people wanted to be around and learn from. His willingness to look foolish while learning new things, like taking a stand-up comedy class despite having no natural talent, demonstrated that being interesting requires courage to step outside your comfort zone. Start by identifying what you're naturally good at, then commit to becoming exceptionally skilled in that area. Invest in courses, coaching, and real-world practice. Simultaneously, cultivate broad interests that make you a more well-rounded person. Read books outside your field, attend events that challenge your thinking, and engage in conversations with people who have different perspectives. Remember that becoming valuable takes time. Dan's rule is minimum two years of relentless work to achieve any meaningful level of success. Don't try to fake expertise you don't have, but also don't let perfectionism prevent you from starting. Speed to market beats perfection, but only when backed by genuine competence and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Be Relentless and Nice: Sustain Your Success
Success requires an unusual combination of relentless determination and genuine kindness. Most people think they need to choose between being tough and being nice, but the most successful individuals master both qualities. Relentlessness keeps you moving forward when everyone else quits, while being nice ensures you build lasting relationships that sustain long-term success. Dan's recruitment story perfectly illustrates this balance. He called the same company every Tuesday at eleven AM for months, getting hung up on repeatedly. But he remained polite and courteous throughout, never becoming aggressive or rude despite constant rejection. His relentless consistency was matched by genuine respect for the person on the other end of the line. Eventually, the recruiting manager began looking forward to his calls, and when she finally had a position she couldn't fill, Dan was the first person she contacted. That one placement led to an exclusive relationship worth hundreds of thousands in revenue. The key is combining persistence with emotional intelligence. Dan learned to detach from outcomes while remaining committed to the process. He would write furious responses to difficult clients, then sleep on them and craft measured, professional replies the next morning. This approach prevented emotional reactions that could damage relationships while maintaining his reputation as someone who could handle pressure gracefully. To develop this balance, create systems that maintain consistency even when motivation wanes. Show up every day regardless of how you feel, but always treat people with respect and kindness. When facing rejection or criticism, remember that most people are dealing with their own struggles and may be projecting their frustrations onto you. Track your outreach efforts systematically, trying different communication methods until you discover what works for each person. Be pleasantly persistent but never pushy or demanding. Always focus on how you can add value rather than what you can get. Success isn't just about reaching your goals; it's about maintaining your integrity throughout the journey. The relationships you build and the reputation you develop will determine whether your success is sustainable or short-lived. Be relentless in pursuing your vision, but never forget that the people you meet on your way up are the same ones you'll encounter throughout your career.
Summary
The path to being awesome isn't about following conventional wisdom or waiting for permission to pursue your dreams. It requires the courage to be selfish with your time and energy, the dedication to become genuinely valuable through continuous learning and skill development, and the wisdom to combine relentless determination with authentic kindness toward others. As the author reminds us, "You need no-one's permission" to create the life you want, and the only real limitation is the stories you tell yourself about what's possible. The most powerful action you can take right now is to stop making excuses and start implementing one specific strategy from this guide today, whether that's scheduling time for your own needs, investing in a new skill, or reaching out to someone who could help advance your goals.
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By Dan Meredith
