Around the World in 80 Days is an adventurous story that tells the tale of Phileas Fogg, an Englishman living in London who (unsurprisingly) attempts to travel around the entire world in 80 days to win a bet🌍.
I must admit I’m not a huge fan of fiction, but I decided to listen to this audiobook because I had heard good things (and it was free on Audible 😜).
I enjoyed the main themes of adventure and adversity and was pleasantly surprised by some of the deeper messages the book conveyed as well.
Here are some of my takeaway points:
- There is always time to be kind. Despite racing against a clock and numerous struggles along the way, Fogg still made time for acts of kindness, such as stopping to give money to someone in need and rescuing a woman that was in distress. This was a simple message, but it really stuck out to me on multiple occasions😊.
- It is important to find a balance between order and spontaneity. Phileas Fogg is a man who lives a very routine and precise life (he needs his bathwater to be exactly 38° C🛁). However, he took on a bet and embarked on a massive adventure seemingly on a whim. As a person who sometimes has a hard time being spontaneous, I really admired this aspect of his character.
- Anticipation of obstacles is the first step to overcoming them. The book takes place in 1872, so needless to say that going around the world in 80 days was no easy feat. Fogg and his friends come up against many obstacles during their travels, but each time Fogg has clearly thought through these obstacles and how to overcome them. It’s a nice reminder to always have a plan B, because sometimes that may become plan A📃.
- A level head and a calm demeanor can take you far. Throughout the trip, Fogg continues to remain calm and composed despite the setbacks and anxious demeanor of his friends. This is something that I immediately related to my job as a physician…nobody wants the uneasy, panicked doctor👨🏽⚕️.
- When faced with uncertainty, do a cost-benefit analysis. Sometimes when making a difficult decision, a simple act like a pros and cons list can clear up uncertainty and make decisions easier. Fogg exhibits this mentality multiple times, especially when considering how and when to spend money to help him accomplish his goal💸.
- Surround yourself with people of loyalty. I won’t ruin the ending of the book, but it’s obvious that in order for Fogg to make progress on his journey he must rely on the people around him, namely Passepartout and (later) Aouda. Nobody accomplishes anything alone, and surrounding oneself with people who support you and believe you is a powerful thing🤗.
Overall, I found Around the World in 80 Days to be a nice departure from my normal productivity and self-improvement books, and I’ll consider dabbling in the fiction genre more in the future!