The Way Of The Maverick by Maverick Traveler (Book Review)

James Maverick runs a blog over at The Maverick Traveler. He was one of the first manosphere writers to cover meeting women in different cities while traveling. However, he doesn’t go as deep into the technical details of the Pickup Artist (PUA) scene. The main focus of his blog is travel advice for men, along with location independent living and entrepreneurship-related content.

The Way of the Maverick provides tips on good business and dating mindsets along with a few productivity hacks. It is written in a way to keep you captivated to the end, using creative narratives between James Maverick and the friends he meets along the way.

Reading a book is like having a conversation with the book’s author.

– James Maverick, The Maverick Traveler

 

Reading the Way of the Maverick

I printed out a physical copy of the Way of the Maverick at my local printing shop and had it bound into a physical book. A few days later, I started reading in the departure hall while awaiting my flight. That whole flight I was glued to the book. I finished the book by the end of the flight and could dispose the printed copy at the airport arrivals hall.

Lessons Learned by James Maverick

In the first chapter, James meets a foreigner who mastered Hungarian. He learns the valuable lesson that by telling yourself something is going to be very hard, you may not have the courage to start. On the other hand, if you remind yourself that something could be easy, as easy it was for a toddler to pick up his mother tongue, then immediately it seems much more doable. Thus you’ll approach the task at hand with more enthusiasm and a greater likelihood of success.

Consumption vs Production Mode

Noting from his experience of staying in Rio de Janeiro for a couple of months, he explains how even traveling can sometimes become a chore and a pain in the ass. This happens when you are continuously moving from one place to the next, and you are only in consumption mode. But, a man should be able to switch into production mode whenever he wants to. In this case, it feels better to live like a local for a couple of months in a city or country, get locked into production mode, and build a business.

My own view is that too much of anything good, will at some point become bad. Like James Maverick, I also prefer staying longer in one place for the sake of increased productivity as well as deeper immersion into the local culture.

Productivity Hacks in The Way of the Maverick

To beat procrastination, James Maverick recommends thinking of something that you can immediately do to improve your business or life. Then break it down into a 5-minute task. Set the ball rolling by tricking your mind to think you’re only setting 5 minutes aside. Yet, once you start doing the task you’ll get into a more productive headspace with momentum going for you – and end up finishing the task.

Inspiration comes after action. I used this same hack to write this book review. I told myself to put in 5 minutes, and 2 to 3 hours later, I’m done with the first draft of the review.

Resembling an Auto-biography

In the Way of the Maverick, James tells anecdotes from his own life experiences. Thus the book resembles an auto-biography at times. For example, while living in New York he needed a life change. So after a conversation with a good friend, he realized there is really nothing stopping him from simply packing up his belongings, and driving across the country to San Francisco. After all, he could always come back to his old life, if he chose to. It ended up being one of the best decisions he ever made.

The Master Persuader

In Buenos Aires, he meets a guy who talks himself out of approaching a cute girl. He thinks up a ton of excuses. As if he is a master persuader – persuading himself not to approach a girl who was already giving him strong eye contact. Like this guy, we sometimes convince ourselves why we shouldn’t approach a hot girl. Can you think of the reasons why you should approach her instead? Especially if she’s giving you an IOI (Indicator Of Interest e.g. strong eye contact). It’s an important reminder to not be your own enemy by succumbing to approach anxiety. Furthermore, he encourages admitting the real problem, e.g. you feel anxiety. Don’t think up fake excuses e.g. you feel tired and need to get sleep, or that she may be too short or tall for you.

Maverick Traveler’s Jiu-Jitsu Lessons

While discussing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, James explains the importance of focusing on the journey instead of the destination. Every time you train, there is some improvement, no matter how small or large on that particular day. Seduction is similar. Every time you approach a new girl, you make a small improvement.

“The more you are made to tap out in Jiu-Jitsu, the more you learn”

Don’t let caring what others think stop you from progressing in your sport (or in the game). You are supposed to suck initially, and only through trial and error will you eventually up your game.

“Show up, have fun, and you’ll be o.k.” – The Way of the Maverick

Around this point, James realizes he has to start his own location-independent business. Because similar to Jiu-Jitsu, the quicker you get into the ring, the quicker you’ll start learning business skills.

Have a Daily Routine

Drawing from a conversation he had with another blogger in Pereira (Colombia), James writes about having a routine in your life. If you put in daily work, you’ll eventually succeed. Almost like a law of nature. He explains how as an entrepreneur there’s no boss lurking over your shoulder. But you only really feel fulfilled at the end of the day if you put in a whole day of work with productive output. Then, you can grab dinner with the feeling that you earned your meal through consistent self-disciplined effort.

Motivation Must Come From Within

James Maverick explains how we shouldn’t rely on others for motivation. Because inevitably there’ll be times when you are on your own. Then… the motivation has to come from within. Otherwise, what’s stopping you from e.g. going to the gym, working on your career, or doing some daygame right now? Similarly, at night you won’t always have a wing around you. Thus you should be as comfortable and motivated to game solo, as with a wingman.

Being Hungry for Success

James feels that we often overthink seducing women. You can be obsessed about theory and watch many seduction videos, but what you really need is to take action and go meet women. He explains that if you have hunger, you will go and buy food to eat. You won’t overthink. Thus why should you overthink when you want a girlfriend?

Plus, if you want to be fit, then there’s no point messing around. Simply go exercise. Don’t overthink.

This is Not the 4-Hour Workweek

While writing about running a business, Maverick Traveler keeps emphasizing that it requires hard work and discipline. Yet, a fulfilling business doesn’t necessarily feel like “hard work”, even if you spend the whole weekend working. The right business could feel like fun. For some this may be software development, being a chef, a photographer, or a location independent tax manager. Thus I want to make it clear that there is no mention of a 4-hour workweek in The Way of the Maverick.

Similarly, a theme throughout the book is not to fear wasting time on business ideas, because as long as you are pursuing some idea, you will be learning new things. There is money out there to be made, ethically, but what is necessary from your side is creativity and endless energy.

Learn to Say No

Once again in Buenos Aires, he meets a poker player who encourages him to say “no” more often. Go through a day while saying “no” to everyone. Make more time for yourself, your own priorities like working out or doing daygame, and your business.

My own examples would be saying “no” to lukewarm tinder dates. She wants to go for a coffee over lunch. Or a friend wants to get a drink mid-week but you’re behind with your projects, thus say “no”. If you don’t have the time, then say no more often.

The Muscle of Willpower

In San Diego, a good friend teaches him that willpower is a muscle. The more you exercise it, the more you can accomplish. If you put in long hour days at work for a week will you collapse and die? Probably not.

Build up slowly to the productivity level you desire. For example, you don’t have to start by approaching 10 girls the first day you ever do daygame (although you could), but it makes sense to build up a good work ethic slowly. Also, you don’t have to do 1000 situps on the first day of your exercise commitment. But start with 100, then 200, 300, and so forth.

You are Not the Center of the Universe

James writes about his friend who had zero hesitation approaching a girl in any setting, e.g. in the subway train. He simply walked up to her and started talking. Fears of approaching are often completely irrational. Nobody gives a sh#t if some confident guy wants to start a friendly conversation with a cute girl in a packed area. The fear of talking to her, and the possible negative repercussions of facing your social fears, exist only in your head. No-one is listening in to the conversation or whatever you talk about. In my own experience, people are more concerned about how you judge them, as opposed to how they’ll judge you for being talkative and social.

Be What You Want to Be

In Barcelona, a friend explains that you can be whatever you want to be. You can learn a new skill simply by typing a phrase into a search engine. If you do not yet have what you are looking for, then you should accept full responsibility for that. Because all the information you need is out there.

To relate this back to my own life. More than a decade ago I felt desperate for knowledge that could help me learn the art of cold approach seduction. I didn’t really know where to look. But since I kept on searching, I eventually found the right info, teachers, and mentors. So, as Founder of Niceguyseduction.com, my parting message would be: Keep digging, and eventually, you may find the gold you are looking for. Whether it is in business, romance, sex, health, fitness, or life in general. Good Luck.

Conclusion: Maverick Traveler’s The Way of The Maverick

Since I finished the Way of the Maverick during one flight, it’s an easy to read book (good readability). Moreover, it’s an entertaining read with thought-provoking life wisdom along with a few cliches. If you are an adventurous guy and into self-development, then you won’t be disappointed.

It’s a different kind of book than e.g. the Six Pillars of Self-Esteem or Cernovich’s Gorilla Mindset. It’s more like an antidote to the idea of a 4-hour workweek. And a toned down version of Roosh V  –  sharing life wisdom and business mindsets, with less focus on meeting women.

Either way, the Way of the Maverick will undo lazy ideas that we can have things without working hard first. But hard work can clearly be fun if you are James Maverick.

In 2022, Maverick Traveler’s books are harder to find online, but click here for your best chance to buy The Way of the Maverick (at Amazon).

• Readability: 5/5
• Cost: 5/5
• Quality of Info: 4/5
• Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Have you read the Way of the Maverick by Maverick Traveler? Post your questions, tips or comments below!