How Stupidity Saved My Life: Life Lessons from an Overanalytical Engineer

by Okechukwu Ofili

By The
Growing up, I always had a knack for engineering, a knack that intensified when I began my full-time job as a design engineer right out of college.

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Wandoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever fantasized about meeting someone(not necessarily a romantic interest) who you instantly click with within less than a 24 hours period(perhaps on a train in Venice like in Before Sunrise) and have the deepest philosophical conversation you ever had and perhaps swamp life stories, then possibly never see them again? I know I have.

Ofili's book provides that dynamic but in a networking setting, where you meet just the right person to move your career to the next level. Maybe it is the 5star caterer who will do justice to your next event or a production assistant on a hollywood set who has agreed to slip your script to one of the producers. If you are recent graduate, starting out your life financially or you simply want to be inspired, this is the book for you.

I won a copy of "How laziness saved my life," on Ofilispeaks.com, after reading it my curiosity got the best of me. I just had to read "How Stupidity Saved my life." I happened by Ofili's content a few years ago via his Facebook handle. It was his sketches that drew me in, but what kept me coming back was his ability to be incredibly vulnerable with his readers and lay his life bare for everyone to see. He is also always open to new content. I believe that it is out of this vulnerability that most of his book/article titles were born. Ofili admits to being stupid more times than one can count, this is someone who can tell you the benefits of Moringa or the history behind Derweze if you wake him up from sleep. Judging from Steve Jobs's commencement speech at Stanford where he said " Stay Hungry Stay Foolish," Ofili is on the right track.

Spoiler Alert! I am in agreement with Andrew Blackman when he says life is too short to write book reviews without spoilers. So my apologies in advance as I dirt bike dangerously close to the cliff. How Stupidity saved my life covers everything from how to invest in the stock or real estate market. . . Hire a specialist! If you don't believe him, ask Robert Kiyosaki. Or how to weave failure into success, to finally appreciating his strict upbringing after he had watched a peer who grew up in a carefree home which he used to admire turn out be a murder. In hind sight, seeing said friend(David) at odds with the law made him even more grateful for his upbringing.Here's a direct quote from the book on the subject : ""Young men without suitable supervision and role models become aggressive and are often judged prematurely by a society that is all too hasty to throw them in prison or even administer the death penalty. By contrast, young men such as myself, who grow up with suitable supervision and role models, fail to fully appreciate their blessings."

I can connect to this on two different levels. I am also from a somewhat rigid background. On another level(I am going to jump ahead of myself and go on a mini feminist rant). Yes often times young men who lack supervision are thrown into jail. This is an unfortunate scenario, but thankfully it is not the status quo in your average Nigerian social circle. What is more common however is young men who are raised to expect to be waited on hand and foot and young men who are not raised to be accountable for their behaviour especially regarding infidelity. When one grows up one starts to question social mores. Like why do 9 out 10 girls believe that ALL men cheat? And why do men naturally delegate all household chores to the women folk? Or as Chimamanda Adichie says in her latest TEDX talk, "I've never thought it made sense to leave such a crucial thing, the ability to nourish oneself in the hands of others." Here in lies the problem.

Early on when i initially became aware of this societal trend. I reserved my harsh judgement for the young men. However, I have come to realize that that the blame lies with women(the mothers) and off course fathers. Perhaps if the roles where more androgynous in all households and men where held more accountable in not merely homes with suitable supervision as Ofili suggests, but in homes with suitable androgynous supervision, this problem will be bordering on extinction. Also there should be a zero tolerance for cheating. Men were not born with a cheating gene. And it is about time that men begin to be held by same virtuous standards that women are expected to live up to.

Other remarkable chapters in the book include the one on Coke which emphasizes the need to judge an individual not by a sip of their character but with a fair/thorough assessment and how one does not need a business plan to start a business in today's world.

In conclusion, I'll leave you with Ofili's suggestion to up and coming writers "Just Write!" But in your case, "Just Read!" This book is a must read.

[Kakwezhi Kalaluka · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How Stupidity Saved My Life: Life Lessons from an Overanalytical Engineer" by Okechukwu Ofili is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable life lessons through the author's personal experiences. Here's a breakdown of the book's strengths and weaknesses:

*Strengths:*

- *Engaging storytelling*: The author shares humorous and relatable anecdotes from his life, making the book an enjoyable read.
- *Candid insights*: Ofili openly discusses his experiences with racism, overanalyzing, and financial challenges, providing readers with a genuine perspective.
- *Humor and illustrations*: The book includes funny sketches that add to the narrative, making it a lighthearted and entertaining read.

*Weaknesses:*

- *Lack of depth*: Some readers feel that the book ends abruptly, leaving them wanting more substance and practical advice.
- *Limited applicability*: The author's advice might not be universally applicable, and some readers may find it challenging to relate to their own lives.

*Overall Impression:*

Despite its limitations, "How Stupidity Saved My Life" is a well-written and engaging book that offers valuable insights into the author's life experiences. While it may not be a traditional self-help book, it provides readers with a unique perspective on navigating life's challenges.

*Rating:* 4/5 stars

*Recommendation:*

This book is suitable for readers who enjoy memoirs, humor, and lighthearted non-fiction. Fans of Okechukwu Ofili's writing style and storytelling will likely appreciate this book. However, readers seeking in-depth self-help advice or practical guidance may find it lacking ¹ ².

[Bon Osonwanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational Read

Great stories on building momentum when bicking, on life and the uphill battles, on startups and taking the leap forward and everything in-between.

[Saad Ali Babar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

[M.G. Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Ofili has written a gem of a book filled with pearls of wisdom. He shares with readers 18 ways to have a better life by making the right choices. His conclusions are underscored by news stories, anecdotes, and moments from his own life when he realized that he was doing something wrong and that there was a better way to handle the situation.

I appreciate how candidly he drew from his own experiences and lightened up the book with humor. I enjoyed his funny and telling sketches to illustrate (literally) his points. I liked the stories that tackled tough issues, from growing up in another culture, racism, a tendency to overanalyze, and financial challenges, among others. While the life's lessons the author shared are grounded in common sense, he packaged them in an easy-to-read, thought-provoking book. His stories made me want to know more about his personal life, but I'll have to wait for him to share more if he writes a follow-on book.

If there's any reason to give this book 4 out of 5 stars, it's because it ends before you know it, and the wisdom he imparts is quite fleeting. It's not the kind of book that those seeking help to change their own lives can rely on for solid advice. The author does not take enough time to help the reader apply it to their own lives or even sink in. It's a great read for what it offers. His advice might not be equally applicable to all, but he left it up to readers to decide if they agree with his advice. Not everyone is an engineer or has an engineer's mind (myself included), but his anecdotes cut across a wide demographic.

I recommend this book to anyone who prefers to learn life's lessons from others than the hard way -- on their own.

[Dhivya M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contains a serious of anecdotes about a variety of topics. As the book name suggests, the author has presented them in a humorous writing but also deep analysed facts. Must say a good read.

[Lola Oseni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, easy to read and you can totally relate with it, what is not to,like about it, give it a shot