Tripp Lanier - This Book Will Make You Dangerous

Advanced Praise

You become dangerous, not when youre a threat to others, but when you become a threat to the excuses and bad habits that have held you back in life. Tripp's book lives up to its title; its a practical guide for the path of self-mastery. Only then are you truly dangerous.

Phil Stutz

Co-author of The New York Times bestsellerThe ToolsandComing Alive

This Book Will Make You Dangerous is a call to wake up, get over ourselves, and focus on what really matters.

Barry Michels

Co-author of The New York Times bestsellerThe ToolsandComing Alive

Mindset. Strategy. Execution. Tripp is able to draw out the best in guys while also staying focused on what truly matters. This Book Will Make You Dangerous goes beyond chasing results. It helps us tap into meaning.

Eric Davis

Former Navy SEAL sniper instructor, author ofRaising Men

Tripp Lanier is a very funny guy. Hes also a very wise guy. If you like to laugh deeply while bringing more playfulness and joy to your Optimizing (with a more than slightly irreverent guide), then I think youll enjoy this book as much as I did. Tripps a fantastic coach to help us reclaim our inner authority and live with more freedom, aliveness, love, and peace. TODAY!!

Brian Johnson

Founder + Leader of Optimize and Philosophers Notes

Tripp breaks the mold when it comes to how he helps people. His interviews, his coaching, his writing it all stands out. It all leaves a lasting impact.

Daniel Priestley

Founder, Dent Global and best-selling author ofEntrepreneur Revolution

Feeling better long term requires outside perspectives. Ive been seeking Tripps opinion throughout the past decade of my life, for various reasons on numerous occasions. Tripp has a keen eye for next steps and confident settings. We need mental, physical and spiritual resilience through life and many people Ive met along the way could benefit from his experience and observations much as I have. This book could be a life saver for a lot of people.

Dr. Eric Goodman

Founder of Foundation Training and author ofTrue to Form

Tripp has an uncanny ability to make incredibly accurate observations about human behavior and share them in a way thats candid and constructive without being a complete dick. Read this book. Youll be better off for it.

Jeff Boss

Author ofNavigating Chaos: How To Find Certainty In Uncertain Situations

Tripp Lanier not only stays up to date on what helps us make positive changes, he actually helps people implement those changes. This Book Will Make You Dangerous is an onramp into that experience.

Jamie Wheal

Executive Director, Flow Genome Project and co-author ofStealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

This Book Will Make You Dangerous

Tripp Lanier

Copyright 2020 by Tripp Lanier

Illustrations Copyright 2020 by Tripp Lanier

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 978-1-60842-214-2

Lanier Creative Services, Inc.

Contents

First off, lets describe what it does not mean.

In the context of this book, dangerous does not mean being disrespectful, harmful, or reckless towards our lives or others. Its not even advocating a rebellious, reactive, or punk attitude. The ideas in this book will not encourage you to be an impulsive, irresponsible, or hedonistic dick.

So then, what does it mean to be dangerous?

Even though there are genuinely major problems in our modern world, most of us are living with a level of comfort, safety, and self-importance that was unimaginable just a few decades ago. Weve quickly adapted to these advantages, and many of us have gotten softer, more isolated, and more self-absorbed as a result. Which, as well explore later on, wouldnt be that big of a deal if it wasnt killing our ability to enjoy the good fortune and opportunities we already have.

So for the purposes of this book, being dangerous is about cultivating self-awareness, leadership, and the guts to steer directly into the situations that most are trying so hard to avoid. Its a willingness to occasionally rock the boat in order to live fully during our short time on this planet.

And to those that are committed to the illusion of everlasting comfort, safety, and measuring up, this way of living will seem downright dangerous.

Is This Book Only For Men?

Good question. Is this book only for men?

The short answer: its not.

The longer answer: Ive primarily taught and coached and facilitated groups of men since 2005. Working with certain types of men is what I know best. That said, the ideas and concepts and practices in this book are available to anyone and everyone who wants to take them for a test drive.

Everyones welcome to the party, but keep in mind that the language and tone are geared towards helping the types of men I know best.

That Time I Went to the Doctor About My Butt

When you open up a book about the big, serious topic of transforming our lives, relationships, and professions, you probably expect a quote from one of the great wisdom teachers of the past. Maybe Rumi, Joseph Campbell, or one of those stoic guys whose name looks like a little kid dropped his alphabet blocks on the floor. This is how the author sets the right tone and proves hes got some depth and should be taken seriously.

But thats not how were going to start this book. Instead, Im going to tell you about the time some guy stuck his hand in my bum.

Buckle up. Here we go.

One day, I go to the doctor because I have some weird pain in my butt. As I walk in the office, I see a beautiful nurse. Wow, I think. She is stunning. And then my vanity kicks in. Oh, man. I sure hope she doesnt have to see me with my pants down. You know, I meannot like this.

Eventually I find myself in the privacy of that fluorescently lit tomb called an examination room, sitting on the table with that crinkly paper and the anatomy diagrams on the wall. The doc comes in. We talk about my situation, and with a bored drawl, he says, All right. Ill be right back.

Door closes. Tension builds. Long exhale. Shaky leg.

Thirty seconds later, he walks back in with Nurse Stunning. Shit.

Doc says, Okay, Mr. Lanier, please take down your pants, and lets have you bend over against the table. As I face the wall, I hear the gloves going on. I hear the bottle of lube fart out a bubble as he smears it onto his hand. Shit.

Im aware that this isnt going to be an afternoon at the spa, so I appreciate that he doesnt give me the customary, You might feel a slight discomfort song and dance. That said, Im still caught off guard when Dr. Bigmitt jams his way into my rear end. Holy hell. I involuntarily let out a low howl which sounds like a sad puppy. As sweat begins to bead on my forehead, my vanity kicks in again. I wonder if the nurse heard it.

Of course she heard it.

The doc is digging around my caboose as if hes lost his car keys. And just when I think hes finished, he decides to, in my best guesstimation, see if he can touch my tonsils. Thats when I hear his frustrated voice over my strained breathing.

Dr. Bigmitt: Umm, when was the last time you had a bowel movement?

Me (grunting): A few hours ago?

Dr. Bigmitt (huffing and pissed off): Well, theres still stool in here!