Who Will Cry When you Die: Summary Review & Takeaways

This is a summary review of Who Will Cry When you Die containing key details about the book.

What is Who Will Cry When you Die About?

Who Will Cry When You Die offers solutions and suggestions to face some of the difficult problems of life and develop one's personality and personal skills. Some of the suggestions mentioned in this book are— carrying goal cards, learning from good movies, seeing a day as an entire life, learning how to walk, the importance of planting trees etc.

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Who is the author of Who Will Cry When you Die?

Robin Sharma is a Canadian writer, best known for his The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari book series. Sharma worked as a litigation lawyer until age 25, when he self-published MegaLiving, a book on stress management and spirituality.

Book details

  • Print length: 224 Pages
  • Audiobook: 8 hrs and 27 mins
  • Genre: Self Help, Nonfiction, Philosophy

What are key takeaways from Who Will Cry When you Die?

Takeaway #1: Keep Perspective and Practice Self-Discipline

Live your life with the goal of being happy and fulfilled. This can be done by living a life that benefits both you and others. Here are a few simple rules that the author lives by. The first is maintaining perspective. That is, don’t get offended quickly and don’t take things too seriously. Put things in perspective and understand that someone else’s behavior has very little to do with you. Being self-disciplined is another way to have a happy and successful life. Learn to work through difficulties with others and don’t allow conflict to cause you to break off relationships. If you build lifelong friendships, you’ll learn a lot about life and you’ll be much happier.

Takeaway #2: Be Honest and Learn How to Deal With Failure

It is important that you don’t make promises you can’t keep. Breaking promises is a bad habit that can lead to others being disappointed with you. Instead, make honesty the center of your relationships. Watch telling little fibs to be liked or to impress others. Try being completely honest for an entire week. You must also learn to cope with failures and disappointments. In fact, you can learn a lot from these experiences. Have you ever noticed that people who have overcome a serious illness are more happy? They have this joy because they’ve learned to cope in the most difficult circumstances. They also have a better understanding of life and have learned to live life fully. Have you ever been afraid to take risks? When you avoid taking risks, you may miss out on something very special. However, if you tried something that seemed difficult, you might have accomplished it. If not, you’d learn something from it that would be useful to you later in life.

Takeaway #3: Focus on What is Essential

Life can be hectic. But you should have time to breathe and smell the roses. If you don’t, it is time to consider making a change. This change should start with prioritizing and determining what is important to you. Figuring out what is essential is a key to a more meaningful life. There is a Chinese tale that tells the secret of a sword-maker. It wasn’t his skill, but his dedication to his craft that made him so great. Think about the professional basketball player, Michael Jordan. He didn’t pick out his own clothes or manage his contracts. Instead, he focused on playing basketball. This doesn’t mean that you focus only on work. Taking time out to enjoy friends and family makes you healthier and happier. However, it doesn’t happen magically, you have to plan to take time off from work to relax.

Takeaway #4: Remind yourself how to enjoy life by imitating children and by taking good care of

If you watch children, you’ll see that they do what makes them happy. Adults should practice doing the same. Much of your day is spent on doing things you hate, such as paying bills, cleaning the house, or worrying. All these things are necessary, but, you shouldn’t give them any more time than is needed. Instead, live like a child. Eat ice cream, play with the dog and do fun activities no matter your age. To enjoy life, you must also take care of your body. A Harvard Study showed that exercise adds to one’s life span. Therefore, you should make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Takeaway #5: Focusing Solely on Goals is Counterproductive

People are obsessed with goals. They seem to believe that a new achievement will bring them joy. The process of achieving, however, is what is most beneficial because it helps you to mature. So celebrate the process, not just the achievement. If a new driver gets their license, instead of celebrating passing the test, they should also celebrate their independence and taking responsibility for themselves and others. All of this they got by going through the process of learning to drive. Self-awareness is just as important. The author enjoyed public speaking. But when listening to a recording, he realized he spoke way too fast. This led him to take a public speaking course, which brought him further professional success. Recognizing your weaknesses is the beginning of self-improvement.

Takeaway #6: Respect Time and Learn to Manage Emotional Reactions

People say that they have limited time, but they spend hours on social media. This shows how much they need to work on their time management. Time is precious, therefore, you should be careful to plan your time wisely. You should also be careful to invest in emotion management in order to be happy. Negative emotions can cause you to lose friendships you’ve spent years nurturing. Emotions can also be a time stealer. Think about how many times you’ve rehashed an argument in your mind. If you can manage your emotions, you’ll have time to do more and will be more productive. One way to learn this control is to count to 100 before you respond. If you need even more time to calm down, take it. Take some time to meditate or exercise to calm down.

Takeaway #7: Remember to Connect With Nature Regularly

Throughout the day, your brain is often in overdrive. One way to relax and calm down is to connect with nature. After the author spends the day doing public speaking or taking part in book signings, he will take a walk through the woods, which puts him in a meditative state. Take the time to clear your mind and you’ll find your priorities become clearer. Nature can also help you be more creative. You can also use your commuting time for mediation, relaxation or self-improvement. You can listen to a podcast or read a book if you’re on the subway.

Takeaway #8: Minimize Complaining, Focus On Contributing to the World Instead

It sometimes feels good to complain. But do you know someone that is in a constant state of whining? This results from a negative mindset, which can be changed by your being proactive. If you are always short on time, get up a little earlier. Don’t gripe about things that you can’t change. For example, you can’t do much about pollution, but you can recycle. Take action instead of complaining. When you do, you’ll realize that complaining is just wasted energy. You’ll be even more successful when you recognize your worth in terms of the world around you. When you know your worth, you’ll get a better-paying job. If you don’t think your skills are that valuable, work on acquiring them. In summarizing this book, when you die, people are more likely to cry when you have lived the best version of yourself. Your best self will come forward when you focus on your goals, have good time management, and have fun.

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What are the chapters in Who Will Cry When you Die?

1. Discover Your Calling
2. Every Day, Be Kind to a Stranger
3. Maintain Your Perspective
4. Practice Tough Love
5. Keep a Journal
6. Develop an Honesty Philosophy
7. Honor Your Past
8. Start Your Day Well
9. Learn to Say No Gracefully
10. Take a Weekly Sabbatical
11. Talk to Yourself
12. Schedule Worry Breaks
13. Model a Child
14. Remember, Genius Is 99 Percent Inspiration
15. Care for the Temple
16. Learn to Be Silent
17. Think About Your Ideal Neighborhood
18. Get Up Early
19. See Your Troubles as Blessings
20. Laugh More
21. Spend a Day Without Your Watch
22. Take More Risks
23. Live a Life
24. Learn from a Good Movie
25. Bless Your Money
26. Focus on the Worthy
27. Write Thank – You Notes
28. Always Carry a Book with You
29. Create a Love Account
30. Get Behind People’s Eyeballs
31. List Your Problems
32. Practice the Action Habit
33. See Your Children as Gifts
34. Enjoy the Path, Not Just the Reward
35. Remember That Awareness Precedes Change
36. Read Tuesday’s With Morrie
37. Master Your Time
38. Keep Your Cool
39. Recruit a Board of Directors
40. Cure Your Monkey Mind
41. Get Good at Asking
42. Looking for the Higher Meaning of Your Work
43. Build a Library of Heroic Books
44. Develop Your Talents
45. Connect with Nature
46. Use Your Commute Time
47. Go on a News Fast
48. Get Serious About Setting Goals
49. Remember the Rule of 21
50. Practice Forgiveness
51. Drink Fresh Fruit Juice
52. Create a Pure Environment
53. Walk in the Woods
54. Get a Coach
55. Take a Mini – Vacation
56. Become a Volunteer
57. Find Your Six Degrees of Separation
58. Listen to Music Daily
59. Write a Legacy Statement
60. Find Three Great Friends
61. Read The Artist’s Way
62. Learn to Meditate
63. Have a Living Funeral
64. Stop Complaining and Start Living
65. Increase Your Value
66. Be a Better Parent
67. Be Unorthodox
68. Carry a Goal Card
69. Be More than Your Moods
70. Savor the Simple Stuff
71. Stop Condemning
72. See Your Day as Your Life
73. Create a Master Mind Alliance
74. Create a Daily Code of Conduct
75. Imagine a richer reality
76. Become he CEO of Your Life
77. Be Humble
78. Don’t Finish Every Book You Start
79. Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
80. Make a Vow of Silence
81. Don’t Pick Up the Phone Every Time It Rings
82. Remember That Recreation Must Involve Re – creation
83. Choose Worthy Opponents
84. Sleep Less
85. Have a Family Mealtime
86. Become an Imposter
87. Take a Public Speaking Course
88. Stop Thinking Tiny Thoughts
89. Don’t Worry About Things You Can’t Change
90. Learn How to Walk
91. Rewrite Your Life Story
92. Plant a tree
93. Find Your Place of Peace
94. Take More Pictures
95. Be an Adventurer
96. Decompress Before You Go Home
97. Respect Your Instincts
98. Collect Quotes That Inspire You
99. Love Your Work
100. Selflessly Serve
101. Live Fully so You Can Die Happy

What are some of the main summary points from the book?

Here are some key summary points from the book:

  • Live each day as if it were your last.
  • Don't let the fear of failure hold you back.
  • Take ownership of your life and don't blame others.
  • Practice gratitude and count your blessings.
  • Set aside time for silence and reflection.
  • Don't let technology consume your life.
  • Choose your friends wisely and surround yourself with positive people.
  • Learn to forgive yourself and others.
  • Take care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
  • Live with a sense of purpose and make a difference in the world.
  • Be kind and compassionate towards others.
  • Don't take life too seriously and learn to laugh at yourself.
  • Embrace change and see it as an opportunity for growth.
  • Don't postpone joy and happiness for the future.
  • Practice random acts of kindness and generosity.
  • Don't compare yourself to others; focus on your own journey.
  • Make time for your loved ones and nurture your relationships.
  • Invest in learning and personal development.
  • Let go of negative thoughts and cultivate a positive mindset.
  • Don't be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.

What are good quotes from Who Will Cry When you Die?

"I wept because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.” (Meaning)

“How high you will rise in your life will be determined not by how hard you work but by how well you think.”

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it,”

“Kindness, quite simply, is the rent we must pay for the space we occupy on this planet.”

“pain is a teacher and failure is the highway to success.”

“He who asks may be a fool for five minutes. He who doesn’t is a fool for a lifetime,”

“the tougher you are on yourself, the easier life will be on you.”

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“You will never be able to eliminate a weakness you don’t even know about. The first step to eliminating a negative habit is to become aware of it.”

“if you have failed more than others, there is a very good chance you are living more completely than others.”

“Son, when you were born, you cried while the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the world cries while you rejoice.”

"Life is no brief candle to me. It’s a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

"Learn to Be Silent"

“Every second you dwell on the past you steal from your future. Every minute you spend focusing on your problems you take away from finding your solutions."

“Children come to us more highly evolved than adults to teach us the lessons we need to learn.”

“The real secret to a life of abundance is to stop spending your days searching for security and to start spending your time pursuing opportunity.”

“One of the lessons I have learned in my own life is that if you don’t act on life, life has a habit of acting on you.”

― Robin S. Sharma, Who Will Cry When you Die Quotes

* The summary points above have been concluded from the book and other public sources. The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways

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Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.

 
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