“Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins – Underwhelmed So Far, Is It Worth Continuing?

I’ve heard a lot about “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins, especially its lessons on discipline and developing a ‘get-it-done’ attitude. As someone of Indian origin who has been living in the States for about 20 years, I was quite excited to dive into this book. However, after intermittently reading through the first 60 pages, I must confess my disappointment.
The narrative primarily focuses on suffering, which, while understandable, comes across as overly dramatic. Furthermore, Goggins seems to attribute the adversities in his life to almost everyone around him during his childhood. While I recognize that traumatic experiences have significantly impacted him, this narrative of blame is all too familiar to many from second or third world countries, particularly among those from lower middle-class to impoverished backgrounds.
Goggins extensively criticizes his father, then his brother for being fearful, and later his mother’s boyfriend. Initially described as caring and loving, the boyfriend is later revealed to lead a double life, akin to that of a gangster. A particularly dramatic recount involves a tragic accident where a young child is hit by the school bus Goggins is on, resulting in blood splattering on his window. He later discusses societal issues, including racism, and admits to cheating in exams. So far, the book has not lived up to my expectations.
Given these observations, I’m pondering whether to continue investing my time in this book. Does the narrative evolve in the subsequent chapters to offer substantial insights into self-discipline and effective strategies for accomplishing goals? I’m curious to know if the later sections of the book enhance its value and truly deliver on its promises.

by Raniputra