Autobiographies and biographies are amazing ways to understand what makes different people tick.

It is especially a rich source of information for people who would like to learn from the lives of other successful people before them, and what they did differently to stand out of the crowd.

One can follow many frameworks in this world, for working to decision-making frameworks.

Since it is nearly impossible to collect information on all these frameworks, the only way to know what works for whom is to read their autobiography.

I wrote an autobiography of myself called I Decided Not To Cry, in which I detail how I navigated the ups and downs in my life.

Here are some more helps on how autobiographies and biographies inspire people and encourage them to achieve their dreams-

Explore the philosophy of people who attained success before you

The philosophy and mindset of a person can make or break them.

Autobiographies, thus, help in understanding the type of mindset and philosophical values that can help a person succeed.

It is all lead by example, so even if it does not work out for you, don’t get upset.

You have now found one way it won’t work for you.

With this knowledge, you can proceed to find other ways, habits, methods and mindsets it might work for you.

Broaden your perspective

Biographies help you understand different perspectives of thoughts separate from your own, which help you expand your thoughts to include how others think and feel. 

The diverse modes, types, and traits of genii are revealed when you broaden your perspective.

For example, normally people think that only academic genius matters, however, the truth is there are many other types of genius who don’t even rely on their Intelligence Quotient (IQ) to help them succeed.

It is entirely possible that you are not a genius in the traditional sense of the word, but are a genius in some other field unknown even to you. 

And as per the times we live in today, every type of genius is welcome in our world, and a needed one.

Sparks and ignites your imagination

There is no known limit to what the human potential can actually achieve.

A good autobiography or a good biography inspires you, and helps you imagine what you too can achieve in your chosen field.

If a so-called failure can achieve so much after going through such horrible circumstances, what can I do?- is what a good life story should inspire you to think about.

The feelings of pity one might have in the beginning, are replaced by pride and an ‘I can do it too!’ feeling by the end of the story that someone else actually lived through.

Reveals the humane flaws, and teaches you how they improved upon them

Let us all face it- we all are humans, and flaws are second nature.

It is not a big deal really to have flaws, as many as you may have inside you.

All the great people before us who were successful had flaws too- it is not as much about what flaws they had but more about how they made up for their flaws.

These flaws are what makes us humans, and what keeps us human.

However, working on our flaws is nothing but the best of human nature.

Teaches us strategies for overcoming roadblocks

Now that we know we have these flaws, we should do our best to work on them.

These biographies and autobiographies explain what they did to overcome these blockages and obstacles, all while also explaining how exactly they did it.

This helps you devise plans and strategies to overcome your own roadblocks, which helps you understand where you went wrong in your own life.

Some of you may have the question why should we copy the other’s methods and styles to solve their problems, without even understanding how it would work out for us?

The answer to that is we don’t necessarily have to steal anyone’s life playbook, just learn from it till we develop our own style to go through our own troubles.

Walk in their shoes while reading

One skill that helps everyone in every walk of life and at every stage is- empathy.

Reading biographies develops your empathy skillset and toolset.

It helps you see the same things from different perspectives and points of view, and hence makes sure that you can see the solution other people wouldn’t even imagine exists.

This is a major competitive edge in your life, as you learn how to solve and think about problems differently from others.

This is a guaranteed bonus skill that can help you get ahead in life, as several situations arise where you can’t even think about how to solve them.

Checkout: Literary creations by Ritu Singal

Find patterns that help you succeed

Some examples of this pattern include reading, which almost all successful people do to get ahead in life.

Knowledge unlocks many doors, and the door to success in your chosen field is one.

There are many other patterns you can observe and find hidden in the biographies and autobiographies of people in your field. 

For another example of how you may find this pattern, consider the book Outliers written by Malcolm Gladwell, in which he examines how taking an opportunity was crucial for people successful to succeed in life to the level they are today.

Why should you read I Decided Not to Cry by Ritu Singal?

I wrote my autobiography when I felt I had become successful in my life, inspite of all I went through.

All I went through included getting married at an early age, not being allowed to study after that, a cheating husband, and taking care and lifting a failing business.

My husband’s suicide was the greatest blow to my life, but somehow I came through from it, and not just suffered the blow with my head held high but was also able to convert it to a successful life as per the society.

If this brief inspires you, you should check out my autobiography now!

It is available on all major platforms, and I do sincerely hope it inspires you to the core.