Become Who You Are: A New Theory of Self-Esteem, Human Greatness, and the Opposite of Depression

Ryan Bush’s “Become Who You Are” is a thought-provoking synthesis of psychology and philosophy, where he proposes a bold new theory that helps us all find true, long-lasting happiness (or, more appropriately, eudaimonia).This book will challenge some of your long-held notions on topics like happiness, depression, enlightenment, and some mental disorders. It makes grand claims and proposes a new theory. This is clearly an ambitious project, but ultimately, it does what all Great books should aspire to do. It delivers.In the intro, we learn that the author was on a quest for a “grand, unified theory of happiness,” and the results of his findings are here in this book. There’s a simple happiness equation he introduces that, amusingly enough, is quite similar to Einstein’s E = mc2 (someone else on a quest for a grand, unified theory).As I read, I was pleased to see that Ryan has done deep, thorough research so that we can go along for a pleasant ride, smoothly understanding why virtue matters more than we think it does and that simpler models of happiness are inadequate. He also adds personal experiences and examples, which I found interesting and helpful, including some narrative to support his ideas.His whole thesis is that Living a life according to your values/virtues, or what you admire in others, will ultimately bring happiness/fulfillment. Though I believe most people understand this in some form, naturally, this book helps us understand it more deeply and make better use of the principle to create more opportunities for happiness and long-lasting fulfillment in our everyday lives. These ideas are important and useful enough to focus on and apply consciously.Though I’ve only recently finished reading “Become Who You Are,” I’ve already read the book twice (something I rarely do unless the book is highly worthy). I will continue to think of and apply the frameworks in my life. With a book like this, the real value comes in applying it and integrating it into who you are and how you live.I’m already finding value in asking myself, “Is this a virtue I admire in others?” If it is, I can go ahead and act in line with that virtue. If it’s not, then I may take another action.Lastly, I enjoyed the format – the takeaways at the end of the chapters are very helpful. Also, I’m eager to explore some of the websites and further resources included at the end.

"Ryan Bush has written several books that I have found extremely helpful but Become Who You Are is my breakthrough book of the year so far. He puts forth a theory supported by philosophy, psychology, studies, and his own experience that states our happiness is directly linked to our intentional use of our personal virtues, or character strengths. He goes on to say that depression is a result of not using our virtues and his opinion on how to battle it.This book is brilliant and is a fantastic follow-up to his other book, Designing the Mind. If you want a game plan to really take control of your thoughts and actions, look no further than Ryan's work."

If you don't get this book now. I assure you that you will later. Why wait? Finally a new book that is simply revolutionary. This summer and throughout the year this book (map) will receive raves as more and more people Become Who They Are! Over the years it will go down as a classic and must read. Yes, it's that good. My hope is it will be taught in schools and produce a generation of sound and virtuous people for the sake of the planet and coevolution of the species.

Ryan always gives different perspectives on how to view our lives and ourselves. This book not only a better understanding of myself, it also gave me hope and motivation to find the best version of myself that’s already inside just waiting to be found.

If you want to thrive in your life, you need to get this book, read it, and apply it. I have been reading and following Ryan's work for a couple of years, and without a doubt he is one of the top in the world at synthesizing ancient and modern wisdom to guide you thriving in all aspects of your life.

Great book!

Every book has a target audience, whether accidental or intentional. This book is written for intellectuals who want evidence-based theories on self actualization. It wasn’t an easy read in the sense that it’s clearly written by and for deep thinkers. The first chapters were dense and harder for me to wade into than traditional self help & personal growth books. I adore the premise. I’ve read many of the authors that this author, Bush, cites in this work and it was rewarding to see him tie his philosophy into their frameworks.What you will learn is that we all think about ourselves too much. By design. It’s an evolutionary advantage to analyze your strengths and others’ appraisals of your societal value. Rather than rejecting this and trying to avoid thinking of yourself at all, as some contemporary authors and speakers have suggested, Bush suggests you go all in on self evaluation. Intentionally identify your values and virtues and craft your daily actions to align with making you proud of yourself.He suggested taking the VIA strengths finder quiz to identify the rank order of your top 24 commonly held societal values. Upon receiving my results they weren’t surprising, but it is hard for me to translate how to take actions that make me proud of myself that exemplify my top strengths of: justice, love of learning, discretion, tenacity… love of learning is easy enough. But finding daily actions to make myself proud of my fair and just outlook and discretion are challenging. I relate them more on what I don’t do. Also, they aren’t motivating to me, I find justice and discretion important but boring if I’m honest. I need more work on translating my virtues in motivating ways.The book fostered a lot of journaling on my part working to identify and codify my virtues in applicable ways. I think the author’s premise is much more useful and relatable than traditional the new age advice, “ignore your ego and see how we are all one, stop trying to stand out.” He addresses this directly early in the book and I found this explanation helpful and actionable as well as relatable.The bottom line of this book if I were to concisely summarize: Become who you are by first identifying your personal virtues. Examine what you value in others, build out actions you can take more often that would make you the type of person you admire, then execute. Each time you take an action you’d admire in another, you’re signaling to yourself that you’re worthy of the same admiration you formerly reserved for others. Be the type of person you admire, you’ll struggle less with depression when you consciously cultivate your actions to align with actions in others you admire.He cites an X Y Z AXIS of depression and fulfillment in the book with a drawing that I found extremely helpful and insightful.Finding that formula will take deep work and introspection. The time will pass anyway why not consciously cultivate being the type of person you admire?

I admire how the author compiled a variety of evolutionary ideas with ancient wisdom and modern psychological understandings and concepts. This book tied together so many great ideas, and concepts that I've come across, had floating in my head, and haven't yet figured out how to put them together. Thankfully, after reading the book, they now make much more sense! I also admire the author's ability to integrate his own experiences and perspectives in a manner that is charming and insightful. It's a great book!

****½Become Who You Are by Ryan Bush is not your average self-help book. It's a riveting journey into the core of self-esteem, joy, and living a life brimming with meaning. Bush, leveraging his expertise in product design and research, upends conventional views on self-esteem and introduces a novel framework for personal evolution.Bush's core argument is a game-changer: self-esteem isn't static or an end goal but a vibrant journey of aligning our choices and actions with our deepest values and dreams. He suggests that genuine fulfilment springs not from outside approval but from the inner joy of chasing the best version of ourselves.Bush's account is a rich tapestry of research, heartfelt stories, and actionable tips. He explores a range of philosophical and psychological theories, from Stoicism to existentialism, presenting them in a narrative that's easy to grasp and delightful to read. His conversational tone, sprinkled with wit and relatable tales, makes sophisticated concepts accessible.The book's structure is logical and intuitive, guiding us through Bush's methodology for self-realisation. The book is divided into three parts: an overview of the model, an exploration of relevant theory, and how to apply the model and theory to one’s life—all with the aim of aligning your actions with your values and navigating challenges along the path. This methodical approach offers us a clear blueprint to systematically follow Bush's advice.The book gains credibility from its thorough research and references from various domains, including philosophy, psychology, and academia. Bush isn't afraid to question the status quo, backing up his viewpoints with solid arguments and evidence.What sets Become Who You Are apart is its originality and novel outlook on self-enhancement. While it borrows from established philosophical and psychological frameworks, Bush provides a distinctive blend that's both innovative and actionable. The book's real value lies in its ability to motivate us to assume control of our joy and fulfilment, steering us towards a life that's more meaningful and truer to ourselves.As with all books, it may have a couple of downsides for some readers. Some might find the philosophical discussions somewhat intricate. And the emphasis on individual effort might seem to downplay external influences on our lives. But these are minor issues. Become Who You Are is a thought-provoking and valuable contribution to the self-help genre. Its engaging narrative, structured approach, and research-supported arguments make it an essential read if you are yearning for deeper self-understanding and personal development. It's especially suited for those curious about new perspectives on self-esteem and personal achievement, offering a fresh alternative to traditional self-help methods and potentially having a profound impact on your life.