Stop Doing That Sh*t

The book "Stop Doing That Sh*t" by Gary John Bishop is a direct yet encouraging guide to personal transformation. The author encourages us to stop lying to ourselves, face our inner beliefs, and take full control of our lives. Bishop goes deep into our thought patterns, subconscious blocks, and self-destructive habits, revealing how these hidden mechanisms continually hold us back. This is not a book about miracle solutions, but about challenging but liberating work on ourselves. The aim is to take us off the autopilot we operate on and show that we are capable of so much more than we think. Through concrete examples, practical advice, and a clear-eyed look at why we get stuck in a vicious cycle of failure, Bishop opens the way to understanding ourselves. The book is a challenge to let go of excuses, step out of our comfort zone, and begin to consciously create a life that reflects our true values and dreams.

The self-destructive beliefs we carry in our minds are like invisible saboteurs of our lives. Our inner voices often repeat words like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll never make it," and it is these thoughts that shape our view of the world and of ourselves. But why do we so blindly accept them as true? The answer lies in our past - in our childhood, in the experiences that have shaped us, and in the stories we have created about ourselves. Imagine a young Peter, who always struggled with maths at school. His teacher once remarked to the whole class that "Peter just doesn't have a head for numbers." This sentence was etched into his mind as truth and influenced his decision-making - he gave up trying to improve and began avoiding anything to do with math. Years later, Peter refused to apply to his dream school because he thought he would not be able to handle the math requirements. This single moment in his childhood became the root of the self-destructive beliefs that drove his life. These beliefs don't arise out of nothing. They are the result of repeated experiences that we have unconsciously generalized. If someone criticized us often, we began to believe that our worth depended on perfection. If we felt abandoned, we accepted the idea that others could not be relied upon. This formula is not individual - it is universal. Like Peter, each of us carries the burden of something that holds us back. Interestingly, these thoughts are often not conscious. They operate covertly, influencing our decisions and reactions without our realizing it. For example, Jana, who constantly chooses toxic relationships, is unaware that her deep-seated belief "I am not worthy of love" leads her to choose partners who confirm this idea. It's an endless cycle that can only be broken when we become aware of these patterns. To stop believing these self-destructive thoughts is like opening our eyes after years of darkness. But it takes courage. It is necessary to look at oneself without pretense and ask the questions: where did this thought come from? What experience does it reflect? And most importantly - is it really true? Most of these answers will catch us by surprise, because they will show that the truths we follow are only illusions. The key to change is to become aware of these patterns. If we can step out of our old stories and see them from a different angle, we will gain the power to rewrite them. Peter's story, for example, could have changed if he had decided to explore mathematics again, knowing that his abilities were not fixed, but developable. Destroying self-destructive beliefs is a challenge that takes time and effort. But every step we take to become aware of our own thought patterns and challenge them is a step closer to freedom and fulfillment. Our lives are not about what we think we are, but about what we choose to become.

The subconscious mind is like the invisible director of our lives. Most of us don't realize the extent to which our daily decisions are influenced by what goes on behind the scenes of our minds. These processes are not overt - we don't directly tell ourselves that we can't achieve something, yet the subconscious mind is constantly directing us, shaping our behaviour and ultimately influencing the kind of life we live. Imagine Susan, who wants to start her own business. Although she has a good plan and plenty of knowledge, she keeps putting off taking the first steps. Her subconscious, shaped by years of doubts and failures, sends out fear signals: 'What if I fail? What will others think of me?" Although her conscious mind tries to overcome these fears, invisible programs stored in her subconscious hold her back. The subconscious mind acts as an archivist of our experiences. It stores all the moments in which we felt weak, rejected, or incompetent and uses them as reference points for each new decision. If we have experienced a humiliating setback in the past, the subconscious will warn us about other similar situations, even if we actually already have the skills to handle them. At the same time, the subconscious mind acts automatically - like an autopilot that constantly monitors our actions and reminds us of the boundaries we have set for ourselves. This mechanism was useful in an evolutionary sense - it protected us from dangers. In modern times, however, it often functions more like a barrier, preventing us from exploring new possibilities and reaching our full potential. One of the greatest challenges is to realize that our subconscious is not immutable. Research on neuroplasticity shows that the human brain has the ability to change its patterns and make new connections. An example is Michael, who for years thought he wasn't creative because he was criticized at school for his drawings. Later, when he started experimenting with photography, he discovered a whole new way of self-expression that eventually led him to success. Awakening from the captivity of the subconscious, however, requires conscious effort. An important step is to start monitoring your thoughts and reactions. What patterns do they repeat? Are these patterns helpful or are they limiting us? Such self-reflection opens the door to the realization that we can "reprogram" our subconscious mind. The influence of the subconscious on our lives is enormous, but it is not fatal. Each of us has the ability to step out of the unconscious cycle that controls us and take control of our own destiny. By taking this step, we can open the way to a life that will no longer be dictated by fear and old failures, but by our own choices and the courage to go after our goals.

The negative patterns of behaviour that we carry within us are like tight shackles that hold us back and distract us from our goals. These patterns form subtly, over years of experience and interaction, until they eventually take control of us. The good news, however, is that these mental shackles can be broken - but it takes conscious effort and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths. Consider Martina, a young woman who repeatedly finds her workplace projects failing to achieve success. Each setback only reinforces in her the belief that she is not capable enough. This negative pattern is reflected in her attitude - instead of learning from mistakes, she gives up. This cycle would have continued if she hadn't started looking for where the formula came from. Martina realized that the roots went back to her childhood, when her parents emphasized perfectionism and considered failure unacceptable. Overcoming such patterns requires the first and most important step - awareness. We cannot change what we cannot see. If we can acknowledge that certain behaviors are limiting us, that in itself is tremendous progress. Just as when a person is lost in the woods - the first step to being rescued is to find out where we are. Then we need to start challenging those patterns. If Martina's subconscious says she is not capable, she should make a conscious decision to try new things and trust herself, even if her inner voice says otherwise. This process is challenging because it means leaving her comfort zone and putting herself at risk. But this is how negative patterns are weakened - by facing them and proving to ourselves that they are not true. An important part of this process is a change of perspective. Failure should not be seen as evidence of our shortcomings, but as an opportunity to learn. Thomas Edison reportedly said that he did not fail a thousand times in making a light bulb - he found a thousand ways that did not work. This mentality of focusing on growth instead of results helps free us from the fear of failure. Overcoming negative patterns, however, is a long-term process. It requires regular reinforcement of new thoughts and behaviors until they become natural. By visualizing success, journaling, or seeking out positive experiences, we can gradually replace old patterns with new ones. Each of us has within us the power to free ourselves from limiting beliefs. The point is to realize that these patterns are just part of our past story - and we have the opportunity to write a new one. This process takes courage, but the reward is a life in which we are no longer defined by our fears, but by our choices and dreams.

Personal responsibility is the cornerstone of any attempt at change. Without it, we remain victims of circumstance, attribute failures to others, and refuse to accept that many of the problems in our lives are the result of our own choices. In this section, Gary John Bishop challenges us to stop hiding behind excuses and take control of how we respond to the world. Imagine Thomas, who has complained for years that he doesn't have enough money to start his own business. He sees every opportunity as unattainable because he believes that external circumstances do not favour him. But the reality is that Thomas hasn't spent enough time looking for solutions - he hasn't educated himself about available grants or sought out partners who could help him. His passivity is not a result of a lack of resources, but a lack of responsibility for his dreams. Taking personal responsibility begins with a simple realization: we are products of our own choices, not victims of the world. When we realize that our reactions, not the events themselves, determine how we feel and act, we regain power over our lives. This doesn't mean denying external difficulties, but to stop giving them complete control. The next step is to stop making excuses. Excuses like "I don't have time" or "I'm not ready" are just a way to avoid discomfort. The world offers endless examples of people who have managed to overcome adversity. Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, became a writer and activist, proving that with enough determination, boundaries are often just an illusion. Personal responsibility also means to stop blaming others for our problems. If our relationship isn't working, it's not always our partner's fault. If we're not doing well at work, it doesn't have to be because of a bad boss. This way of thinking allows us to look for solutions instead of wallowing in frustration. However, the process of accepting responsibility is not easy. It requires self-reflection and the courage to admit our own mistakes. Many people fear this phase because it reveals uncomfortable truths. But there is power in this very process. Only when we acknowledge our failures can we learn from them and begin to make better choices. At the end of the day, taking personal responsibility is about freedom. When we acknowledge that we hold the key to our own happiness, we will no longer be influenced by the opinions of others or the unpredictability of life. This key allows us to create the reality we want - a life that is the result of conscious choices, not chance or fate.

Changing mindsets is not just about becoming aware of old patterns and accepting responsibility, but more importantly, taking active steps to rewrite them. Although our subconscious mind can be stubborn, there are specific strategies to help us redirect our thoughts and create new, empowering habits. In this section, Gary John Bishop offers practical tools that allow us to not only survive, but to actually live. One of the most effective techniques is identifying the negative inner monologue. Imagine Eve, who hears herself talking with each new challenge: "I'm not up to this." This phrase has been with her for years, though she was hardly aware of it. But when she decided to start writing down her negative thoughts, she suddenly found herself using the phrase almost daily. This simple step helped her see the pattern that was preventing her from moving forward. The next step is to replace these thoughts with positive and realistic alternatives. Instead of "I'm not up to it," Eve began to tell herself: "I'm not sure how I can do this, but I'm willing to try." Such a change is not about deluding oneself, but about fostering openness to possibilities. By regularly repeating these positive statements, new mental habits are gradually formed that foster courage and confidence. Visualizing success is another effective strategy. Athletes, such as the legendary Michael Jordan, have regularly used mental training to visualize victory before they even step on the court. We can apply a similar approach in everyday life - imagine what success would look like, what we would feel, and how we could approach it step by step. The environment in which we find ourselves also plays an important role. If we are surrounded by people who are constantly spreading pessimism, it is difficult to maintain a positive frame of mind. Conversely, seeking out supportive and inspiring circles can be a huge catalyst for change. The story of Steve Jobs shows how his team of passionate Apple innovators were able to create revolutionary products together because of a shared vision and support. Finally, patience is essential. Changing mindsets is not a matter of a day. As neurons in the brain connect into new pathways, building positive patterns takes time and consistent work. Even small advances, like being able to replace one negative thought with a positive one, are steps toward greater change. These practical tips show us that mindset change is not an abstract concept, but a step-by-step process that can be achieved. If we choose to invest energy in actively rewriting our thoughts, the result will be a life defined not by fear and limitations, but by courage and possibility.

"Stop Doing That Sh*t" is not just a book, but a kind of mental alarm clock that forces us to wake up from the illusion that our problems are caused by external circumstances. Gary John Bishop shows us that the key to change is the courage to take full responsibility for our thoughts and actions. He explains how self-destructive beliefs and subconscious patterns control our lives, while offering tools to break them. The path the author outlines is not an easy one. It requires self-reflection, discipline, and a willingness to face discomfort. But at the end of the journey is freedom - the ability to live fully, free of the chains we have put on ourselves. The book is a reminder that each of us has the power to influence our reality if we are willing to step out of the shadows of fear and comfort. It is an invitation to a new beginning - one that we create for ourselves, with our own minds. Do you have feedback for us? We'd love it if you let us know your opinion on our content! Just send an email to feedback@rewio.app with the title of this book in the subject line and share your impressions!