The Hacker Mindset: A 5-Step Methodology for Cracking the System and Achieving Your Dreams

by Garrett Gee

For the countless people feeling trapped in their jobs and whose talents aren’t being fully utilized, this book offers a wake-up call to break free from the constraints of ordinary employment and achieve true financial freedom.

When boy genius Garrett Gee started working for the federal government at age 15, he figured fame and fortune were only a stone’s throw away. Despite impressive credentials and enormous potential in the world of computer hacking, Gee found himself years later as just another salaried employee. He soon realized that though he was a hacker at work, he was a slacker when it came to leading his own life. But as soon as he applied his meticulous hacker mindset to his personal life, everything changed—and success rolled in quickly.

Those who feel unfulfilled and stuck in the system, unable to realize their dreams as their careers merely bump along, can use this same hacker mindset in any situation or industry to overcome obstacles and identify the quickest path to true success—a success they can define for themselves. Drawing on decades of experience in cybersecurity, Gee outlines our innate hacker abilities in the face of society’s best efforts to brainwash us to be slackers, and he offers readers practical advice alongside the six principles of the hacker

Be on OffenseReverse EngineeringLiving Off the LandRiskSocial EngineeringPivot For anyone seeking to ascend the corporate ladder, leave their job to start their own business, or obtain greater freedom in their life, The Hacker Mindset is an essential guide to hacking established systems in any sphere and unlocking one’s fullest potential.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Lis Anna-Langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. A week before I found this book I said to someone, "You know, hackers are portrayed in films and books incorrectly because they aren't good with computers, they're genius with everything." Okay, so maybe not everything but the hacker is always portrayed as clacking on a keyboard. The reality is they have long since figured out the go around on systems and that clacking is but one of dozens of steps. We don't think about how much systems rule everything but in companies, municipalities, and corporations everything is streamlined to a system. I would argue culture and society as well. So this is an interesting book that gives you the guts to try the go around. Part motivational and part informative and in some parts just hilarious to me this book stands out. I say hilarious because his take on the world is often nuanced but brilliant. This book fulfills the promise of the title. It is a book about mindset. It is a book about marching to the beat of your own drum. It is a book about not just exiting the grind but in how to make that grind work for you. Conversational and very well written and organized I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone. Also, it is just a really great book to read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gerry Aclag · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thanks to BookSirens for sending me a DRC of the book.

So, here’s what I think about the book.
“The Hacker Mindset" by Garrett Gee is a compelling guide that takes the principles of hacking—typically associated with cybersecurity—and applies them to personal and professional development. It’s such a novel perspective, and I liked it.

Gee argues that life, just like a computer system, is full of rules & structures that can be analysed, deconstructed and manipulated to one's advantage. Through a combination of personal anecdotes, strategic advice and motivational insights, he offers a step-by-step approach to help readers understand and navigate the systems that define their lives, ultimately leading them to success.

The book is divided into three main parts:
• understanding the hacker mindset,
• exploring the hacker principles,
• and applying these principles in various life contexts such as career, entrepreneurship, and personal finance.

Gee's writing is accessible and engaging, making complex ideas about systems & hacking understandable to a broad audience. He effectively uses storytelling to illustrate his points, often drawing from his own experiences in the tech industry. The book's tone is motivational, encouraging readers to challenge the status quo and take control of their own destinies.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸
1. The Importance of Systems Thinking: Gee emphasizes that the world is made up of systems—whether in technology, corporations or everyday life. Recognising and understanding these systems is the first step towards leveraging them for personal gain. This approach encourages a proactive mindset, where individuals continuously analyse and understand the structures around them. As a personal fan of systems thinking, I found the fresh ideas in the book particularly engaging. They draw strong parallels to concepts from Peter Senge’s "The Fifth Discipline," which also highlights the power of seeing the whole picture and thinking in systems.

2. The Hacker vs. Slacker Mindset: One of the core concepts in the book is the distinction between the hacker mindset and the slacker mindset. Gee argues that many people, despite working hard, fall into the slacker mindset by failing to strategize effectively. A hacker, on the other hand, balances strategy with execution, constantly adapting and optimizing to achieve their goals. I couldn’t help but laugh at the term 'hardworking slacker'. It’s such a perfect way to describe those of us who keep busy but don’t always have a clear direction. Reminds me of Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants.

3. The Role of Curiosity and Continuous Improvement: Gee shows that hackers are naturally curious—they’re always asking “why” and digging deeper to understand how the systems around them work. This kind of relentless curiosity fuels continuous improvement, which is crucial for achieving long-term success. While this idea isn't particularly new to me, since most personal development books emphasize these elements, I appreciated how Gee frames it from a hacker’s perspective, making curiosity and improvement central to his approach. It’s a nice takeaway for me that made the concept feel fresh.

4. Taking Calculated Risks: Gee talks about how important it is to take risks, saying that hackers really thrive on calculated risk-taking. He makes a good point: “The biggest risk you can take is not taking any risks at all.” Being too cautious can mean missing out on opportunities, but when you're willing to experiment and push the limits, that’s when the real breakthroughs happen. Again, while this idea isn’t new to me, his emphasis on pushing boundaries was a refreshing reminder of how crucial it is to step out of our comfort zones. After all, who really wants to feel intentionally uncomfortable, right?

5. The Power of Social Engineering: Now, this one’s a real jackpot for me—understanding and navigating social interactions to get what you want. Gee shows how you can use this principle ethically in both business and personal life to build relationships, gather information, and influence decisions. But let's be honest, a little too much “creativity” with this technique could get you into some trouble. Still, there’s a lot of potential here.

𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝟯 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸
1. "Hacking is about manipulating systems to get what you want, as quickly and efficiently as possible."
2. "The moment you decide to abandon expected behaviour and to manipulate the systems rather than working within their parameters, you’ll find that your options become almost limitless."
3. "The biggest risk you can take is not taking any risks at all."

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀
I really enjoyed the fresh take on personal development, but I have to admit, using hacking principles in everyday life sometimes felt a bit abstract or even too simplistic. The whole hacking metaphor might not resonate with everyone, especially if you're not into cybersecurity. There were moments when I felt like the book assumed everyone has the same level of ambition and a desire to shake things up, which might not be the case for everyone. If you're not naturally inclined to question every system you come across, some of the advice might seem a bit out there.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝟱 / 𝟱
It's an innovative and engaging read that really made me think differently about how to handle challenges at work and in life. Even though I had a few reservations, the book does a great job of showing readers how to take control of their lives by understanding and working with the systems around them. The practical tips and motivational tone make it a great resource for anyone looking to shake things up and go after their dreams. While the hacking metaphor was a bit much for me at times, I still found it to be a refreshing and effective way to look at everyday challenges. Overall, the book offers some really insightful and actionable advice that I found incredibly inspiring, which is why I'm giving it a full 5 out of 5.

I received a DRC of this book from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's somewhat insightful at times but doesn't really follow the cohesive train of that that it purports to follow. The hacker principles are rarely referenced in practical application and when they are it's a bit of a stretch. The hacker methodology is used but is basically a rebranding of the scientific method. Still, the hacker principles are interesting and helpful to keep in mind - be on offense, reverse engineering, living off the land, manage risk, social engineering, and the power of pivoting.

[Morgan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise of the book- that learning to see your life and career thru the “hacker’s mindset” is hugely valuable- but just found the substance of the book to be overly generic and underwhelming . While there are some interesting tidbits in there about how hacker’s approach problems, the majority of the book more or less followed the same script as any other career advice or entrepreneurship book.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garrett Gee takes the principles of a good cybersecurity advisor and applies them to life. From being a hack nor a slacker, to gaming the systems in our everyday lives. It was a good read, while also being 100% accessible for anyone to learn.

I will be applying most if not all 5 Steps to the Hacker Mindset in my life.

[Mag E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowledge is power. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. Being late life diagnosed with OCD, I have several bad habits. My mind yells negatives at me. This book will help negate that voice. (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[traveler, learner, lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

note to self: reread before any new venture, job or entrepreneurship

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Yuen Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me the concept "system" again

[Joe Nuttapong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Introduction of how Hacker see the world as a system.