Surrounded by Setbacks: Turning Obstacles into Success (When Everything Goes to Hell)

Finally got around to finishing this latest installment from Erikson. I've been a fan of the "Surrounded by" series, and this one hits home because we all face obstacles eventually. The way he applies the Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue personality framework to how we handle failure is genuinely eye-opening. Personally, I found the advice on taking 100% responsibility for my reactions to be a needed wake-up call. It’s not about what happens to you, but how you choose to pivot. The tone is encouraging but firm, pushing you to stop making excuses. I particularly liked the section on identifying small, manageable actions to rebuild momentum. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut or "laterville," this is the push you need to get moving again. It’s practical, actionable, and doesn't drown you in academic jargon.

This book arrived at the perfect time in my life. I was dealing with a major professional setback and felt like I was spinning my wheels. Erikson doesn't offer fluff; he offers a mirror. He forces you to look at your own habits and realize how much time you waste on "the wrong things." The concept of "laterville"—that place where we put off our dreams until some magical future—was a gut punch. I loved the emphasis on surrounding yourself with a "co-pilot" who keeps you accountable. The four-color system helped me realize that as a "Green," I tend to avoid conflict when things go wrong, which only makes the setback worse. I’m now working on being more assertive and persistent. Truly a motivating read for anyone ready to take charge of their destiny.

Wow, what a punchy and useful guide to navigating the rough patches of life. I’ve read a lot of self-help, and what I liked here was the lack of "woo-woo" nonsense. It’s straight to the point: identify your behavior type, fix your bad habits, and keep moving forward. The advice about finding a co-pilot and staying publicly accountable really works—I’ve already started implementing the "red cross on the door" method for my own goals. It’s a very practical book that focuses on action rather than just theory. Even if you don't agree with every single point about personal responsibility, you'll find something here that helps you handle your next obstacle with more grace and grit. Highly recommended for fans of the color series.

After hearing so much about Erikson's color system, I decided to dive into this guide on resilience. The story of "Harry" the former athlete really resonated with me because I’ve definitely tried to overhaul my entire life overnight and failed miserably. Erikson explains that big changes come from tiny, consistent steps rather than radical, unsustainable shifts. I appreciated the exercise where you rank your past setbacks to put your current problems into a better perspective; it really helped calm my anxiety about a recent work issue. While some parts feel a bit repetitive if you’ve read his other books, the focus on persistence is solid. It’s a great reminder that being "Red" or "Blue" changes how you view a hurdle, and knowing your type helps you plan a better escape route from failure.

As someone who struggles with staying motivated when things get tough, I found this quite helpful. Erikson's writing style is very accessible and easy to digest, which is great when you’re already feeling overwhelmed by life. The bit about the pilot drifting off course by just one degree and ending up in the Atlantic was a powerful metaphor for how small bad habits accumulate. I do wish there were more scientific references to support some of the psychological claims made throughout the chapters. Sometimes it felt like I was just listening to one man's very strong opinions. Still, the core message of staying the course and being adaptable is one I needed to hear. It’s a solid 4-star read for the practical "tough love" sections alone.

The chapter on habits was the standout for me. I’ve read Atomic Habits, and while this isn't as detailed, it complements it well by adding the personality layer. Knowing that my "Yellow" tendencies make me prone to losing focus helps me set up better systems to stay on track. Truth is, I needed the reminder that I am responsible for my own reactions. Life throws a lot of junk at us, and it’s easy to play the victim. This book discourages that entirely. My only complaint is that the tone can be a bit repetitive, and he hammers the same points over and over. But maybe that’s what it takes to get the message to sink in. Decent advice for anyone needing to build some mental toughness.

Ever wonder why some people bounce back while others just crumble? This book attempts to answer that using the four-color behavior model, but it feels a bit oversimplified at times. To be honest, I felt like the advice was mostly common sense dressed up in bright colors. The concepts of Choice Theory are there, but they aren't explored with much depth. I did like the Netflix analogy about being adaptable to market changes, which can be applied to our personal careers too. However, the writing can be quite patronizing, almost like he’s lecturing a child. It’s a decent introductory text for someone who hasn’t read much self-help, but for those of us who have, it’s mostly things we’ve heard before from the Stoics or other modern authors.

Look, I appreciate the "get off your butt" message, but I have mixed feelings about the delivery. On one hand, the DISC model application is a fun way to analyze your reactions to stress. On the other hand, the author's personal anecdotes—like having four car wrecks—made me question his advice a little bit! It’s very much a "first-world problems" type of book. He tells you to stop complaining about a low salary or a bad childhood, which feels a bit tone-deaf to reality. If you can filter out the more extreme "it’s all your fault" rhetoric, there are some gems about habit formation and goal setting. It’s not groundbreaking, but it might be the kick in the pants some people need to stop procrastinating.

Frankly, Erikson's style is an acquired taste. If you like direct, blunt advice that doesn't sugarcoat things, you'll probably love this. If you prefer your self-help with a side of empathy and clinical data, you might be disappointed. I fall somewhere in the middle. I found the 4-color personality types interesting to revisit, though assigning colors to them still feels a bit arbitrary. The book lacks a bibliography, which is a major pet peeve of mine for non-fiction. He quotes "researchers" constantly without naming them. However, I can't deny that his advice on breaking down goals into manageable parts is effective. It's a quick read that serves as a decent motivational tool, even if it lacks the scientific rigor I usually look for.

Not what I expected from a supposed psychology book. To be fair, I enjoyed Surrounded by Idiots, but this felt like a collection of anecdotal "bro-science" without a single credible citation to back up the wild claims. He makes massive generalizations about happiness and success—like stating that money and marriage are the keys—without referencing a single peer-reviewed paper. The whole "everything is your fault" attitude feels incredibly toxic, especially for people dealing with genuine mental health struggles or systemic issues. He brushes off a "sad childhood" as a choice of attitude, which is frankly insulting. It promotes a grind-culture mindset where you’re failing if you aren’t productive every waking second. Unless you want to feel guilty for resting or watching TV, skip this. It's just a repackaging of 100-year-old DISC theory with a heavy dose of meritocracy worship.