The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters
This is, quite simply, the most enlightening and powerful book I’ve ever read. Professor Steve Peters explains, in simple terms, three core components in our brain that are responsible for inputting information, responding to situations, how we look at ourselves and how we can be our own worst enemy. And so much more.
It’s explained why I have internal dialogue between two competing ‘voices’ in my head arguing over whether, for example, I should apply for a job, with one giving me logical reasons as to why I should go for it, and the other giving me destructive, debilitating reasons as to why I would never be considered for that job.
It’s taught me how to manage those dialogues so that I’m prepared to approach everyday situations with a rational mind-set, focus on my values and understand why we behave the way we do.
Two friends recommended this book to me, one of which had been prescribed it by a GP to treat anxiety. The GP literally wrote the name of this book on a printed prescription. This spoke volumes to me; although I don’t consider myself to be an anxious person, I couldn’t ignore how powerful that GP must have thought this book was.
And here I am now,
recommending it to everyone.