Why Smart People Hurt: A Guide for the Bright, the Sensitive, and the Creative (Creative Thinking & Positive Thinking Book, Mastering Creative Anxiety)

I started reading this, but oddly enough, got bored with it and didn't finish. (Shouldn't happen, right?) The author wastes no opportunity to criticize anything that is not "natural psychology," whether the target is ADHD medication, religion, or a sleeping pill. On passage in particular strikes me as a complete swing-and-a-miss. In the chapter "The Lure of Mysticism" he writes:"Built into this rationale for mysticism [mysticism in the author's view is anything religious] is the idea that man would fall apart if he acknowledged that life was just this: 'just this' translating as 'empty, cold, impersonal, and purposeless.' But that isn't the right acknowledgement. The choices aren't between a false but soothing mysticism and an acceptance of an indifferent universe. Rather, the choice is between an easy mysticism and genuine mystery. This is a very different choice! It is one that a smart person can embrace and applaud--and even grow excited about. He never again has to bang his head against the brick wall of mystery. He can just let it be mysterious."What a terrible piece of advice for gifted people. Does the author think that a gifted individual will be content with that solution? Gifted people cannot let anything be mysterious! That's what makes gifted people different from the average person: they search for answers and explanations; they search for meaning in everything from engineering to philosophy to theology to history to biology. It is over those existential questions that gifted people stew--and those same gifted people will not be content with "let it be mysterious" as an answer.The author also repeatedly mentions that we as a species were not created by God and that we are merely nature's experiments. Regardless of your opinions on the question of the existence of a Supreme Being, not allowing gifted people the option to even think about God as an explanation of the universe and their own existence and describing such an option as a "lure" (implying that it is somehow inherently bad) is a huge mistake. Again, that's what gifted people do! They think about everything.The author mentions how gifted people can see through arguments. "They shake their heads when clerics, politicians, and economists speak." (p. 96). I shook my head reading this book. It's not a helpful book as far as advice for gifted people on how to live with their faster-than-average brains. It is, however, a good description of the author's personal beliefs about the world in general and about how gifted people think. It's not completely wrong; sometimes his descriptions of how bright people think are fairly accurate.

You don't have to be smart to benefit from (and LOVE) this book! Each chapter explains in simple, often humorous words why people feel unhappy or uncomfortable with their lives or each other. Eric Maisel SEES us. He understands why humans are the way we are, and he has a gentle and compassionate way of explaining us to ourselves, and giving us easy tips for making life easier and happier. I've bought copies for my young adult friends. This is like a guidebook for navigating adulthood! What a joy.

This is the first book I’ve seen that acknowledges, describes and provides helpful tips to manage the anxiety that comes with wisdom and talent.

Being exceptionally gifted and talented does not include assurance that you can realize your multiple talents, nor is it a guarantee of eminence or even success in life. As Dr. Linda Silverman, director of the Gifted Development Center, notes, “The natural trajectory of giftedness in childhood is not a six-figure salary, perfect happiness, and a guaranteed place in Who’s Who." In "Why Smart People Hurt" Dr. Eric Maisel delineates a number of both external and internal influences on high ability people, providing information about these often subtle influences, and giving suggestions to enhance self-understanding and emotional health to help people more fully use their capabilities, making their lives more creative and fulfilled, to the benefit of others as well as themselves.

We all know that knowledge and insights have snowballed "out of control". Therefore the number of books containing gems followed suite with thousands (?) being added every month. So, the chances of me, as an individual, reading/studying the "right books" in the "right order" {based on my situation} are extremely slim. But,alas, my "reading list" at last included a book like this one. What devastating, awe inspiring insights!

I liked that it offered a different perspective and was relatable.

I find myself continuing to think about many of the ideas in this book. Do you wonder why you don't complete creative projects? Scientific projects? Perhaps you are "fleeing the (creative) encounter," in the author's phrasing. I like how he notes that meaning is actually a subjective, psychological experience, similar to the concept of flow, and that it often escapes our attention because we do not notice it happening. He provides techniques for recognizing when and how meaning enters (and leaves) your experience, though I wouldn't call these techniques "easy" or "5 quick steps to existential bliss." Worth the read, if for no other reason than understanding how the mind constructs and experiences meaning.

This will help many people who feel different due to intelligence, sensitivity, introversion, or artistic inclinations. It is difficult to relate because the others do not really understand these kinds. This book deals with these issues and is a ray of sunshine to aid those who feel alone.

I read this book in one sitting. It was like listening to mentor, an old teacher or wise relative who sees the world in the same way. It explained many of my thoughts, feelings and struggles with the world. Yes it talks about mindfulness, along with so many other books these days. However its wording is concise, its structure uncluttered and the message crystal clear. It provokes consideration of issues and explains options.Essentially the author explains how the meaning we search for in life is really just a psychological subjectivity and that when we let it, or the pursuit of it, dominate our lives, we makes ourselves and other miserable. To some extent I am already able to suspend my quest for meaningful living in the face of the realities and necessities of life and was able to answer some of the questions he poses in the book. I already have ways of managing existential stress and channeling my need for meaning-making.However it was reassuring to learn that others think the same way and encounter like dilemmas.Next on my list to read is Dr Maisel's book on managing performance anxiety. Feeling excitement on approaching the next read is one of the best feelings.Thank you Dr Maisel. I am so glad to have discovered your writing!

The overall flavor was as if he was trying to sell natural psychology to a public that needs more than what that approach has to offer. The first half wasn’t that bad, informative, but the second half didn’t resonate with me at all.

Bought as a gift

Loving 😁 great investiment

Insightful book on discrimination we should really have move on from.