Rolf
Dobelli.

Rolf Dobelli was born in 1966 in Lucerne, Switzerland. He is a writer, entrepreneur, and thinker. He studied economics and philosophy at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, where he also received his PhD.

In 1999, he co-founded getAbstract, a company that creates short summaries of business books. This shows that he has always been interested in making complex ideas simple and accessible.

He is best known internationally for his book The Art of Thinking Clearly, which has sold over three million copies and has been translated into more than 40 languages. The Times newspaper in the UK called him "the self-help guru the Germans love."

Dobelli also founded WORLD.MINDS, an invitation-only community of some of the world's top scientists, artists, and thinkers. He lives in Switzerland with his wife, the novelist Clara Maria Bagus, and their two children.

The Art of Thinking Clearly (2011) --> download

This is his most famous book. It explains 99 common thinking mistakes that people make every day — called "cognitive biases." For example, we often continue doing something just because we have already put time or money into it, even when it is not working. Dobelli explains these errors in short, easy chapters with real-life examples. The goal is to help you make better decisions by understanding how your brain can trick you.

The Art of the Good Life (2017)

In this book, Dobelli offers 52 practical ideas for living a better life. The ideas come from psychology, Stoic philosophy, and successful investors like Warren Buffett. He covers topics like happiness, decision-making, and how to avoid common mistakes in daily life. Each chapter is short and gives you one clear tool you can use right away.

Stop Reading the News (2019)

This book argues that reading the news every day is bad for your mind and your time. Dobelli explains why news is often irrelevant, anxiety-inducing, and damaging to deep thinking. He encourages readers to quit the news completely and replace it with books, long articles, and meaningful conversations. He has not read the news himself for over a decade.

The Not-To-Do List (recent)

In this book, Dobelli focuses on what you should stop doing, rather than what you should start. He argues that success often comes from removing bad habits and distractions, not from adding more activities to your life. Less can truly be more.

1. Your brain makes predictable mistakes.

We all have cognitive biases — patterns of thinking that lead us to wrong conclusions. Once you know what they are, you can catch yourself and make better choices.

2. Avoid the news — choose depth over noise.

Most news is irrelevant to your life. Replace it with books and long-form articles that give you real understanding, not just the latest headline.

3. Focus on what you can control.

Dobelli is influenced by Stoic philosophy, which teaches us to focus our energy only on the things we can actually change. Worrying about things outside your control is a waste of time.

4. Less is more.

Many of Dobelli's ideas are about removing things — bad habits, unnecessary information, toxic situations. A simpler life with fewer distractions can lead to more clarity and happiness.

5. Read books, not summaries of the world.

Books give you deep knowledge. They help you understand the root causes of things, not just the surface events. Dobelli says that one good book teaches you more than a year of daily news.

6. Make decisions carefully.

We often decide too quickly based on feelings or social pressure. Dobelli encourages us to slow down, recognize our biases, and think more clearly before acting.