Beyond the Cube: Solving the Puzzle of Life is an inspiring personal development book from the world of speedcubing, written for anyone who wants better habits, calmer nerves, and clearer goals. Author Gael Augusto Lapeyre—an Argentine speedcuber with numerous South American records—connects lessons from the Rubik’s Cube to real-life performance: productivity, learning, emotional control, and long-term happiness.
Whether you compete in WCA events, love cubing as a hobby, or simply want a practical mindset upgrade, Beyond the Cube helps you turn practice principles into everyday momentum—without relying on motivation hacks or short-term discipline.
What this book is about
Beyond the Cube explores a simple but powerful idea: the same principles that help you improve at speedcubing—process, patience, reflection, and consistency—also help you grow in life. Through stories, practical strategies, and psychology, you’ll learn how to approach challenges with a calmer mind and a stronger plan.
What you’ll learn
- How to manage nerves, pressure, and performance anxiety in competition and daily life
- How to build lasting habits without depending on motivation or willpower
- Practical methods for organization, productivity, and goal setting
- Advanced techniques for learning and memorization (useful for algorithms and beyond)
- How technology and social media shape focus, mindset, and everyday happiness
- How to redefine success and failure, compete with purpose, and stay grounded in gratitude
What’s inside
The book is organized into three main chapters, designed to be both engaging and actionable:
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Rubik’s Life (pages 0–100) — Gael’s journey from first solves to South American records and becoming an author, told through text, images, and comics
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How to Practice (pages 100–200) — 8 years of experience distilled into a training framework you can apply to cubing, school, sports, creative work, or any skill
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How to Compete (pages 200–300) — the psychological keys to performing under pressure: concentration, emotional control, purpose, and gratitude
Who this book is for
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Speedcubers who want a stronger competition mindset, confidence, and focus
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Students and creators who want better learning systems and productivity habits
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Anyone struggling with nerves, procrastination, or inconsistent goal progress
- Readers who enjoy memoir-style storytelling paired with practical self-improvement tools
What readers are saying
“This educational and engaging read offers valuable lessons on how to apply what's learned from a hobby to face and overcome obstacles in daily life, making it useful for any type of reader.”
— Leandro López, World Champion in Megaminx; twelve-time World Record holder
“A beautiful construction of memories that reveals how the Cube is much more than a simple toy for us. With impeccable parallels between life and speedcubing that transcend ‘Beyond the Cube,’ this book represents a huge advancement for the entire cubing community.”
— Vicenzo Cecchini, three-time World Record holder; 12 South American Records, 23 National Records
“A magical journey to a very little explored frontier: that of crossing the highly competitive Rubik’s with everyday life. Ideas, inspiration and unmissable tips in the best speedcubing book written so far.”
— Sebastián Campanario, journalist (La Nación), economist, author, and speedcuber
Why you’ll love it
If you’ve ever felt stuck—overthinking, losing confidence under pressure, or starting strong but falling off—Beyond the Cube gives you a fresh, practical way to approach growth. It’s an invitation to look beyond the colored pieces and build a mindset that supports consistency, resilience, and happiness.
FAQ
Is this book only for speedcubers?
No. Speedcubing is the lens, but the tools and lessons apply to anyone working on habits, goals, learning, and mindset.
Does it include speedcubing tips and competition mindset?
Yes. It covers nerves, focus, emotional control, and how to compete with purpose—plus practice strategies that apply to cubing and other skills.
Is it more of a story or a self-improvement guide?
Both. It blends memoir-style storytelling (with images and comics) with practical strategies for practice, productivity, learning, and performance.
Will this help with anxiety or nerves?
It includes practical techniques and mindset frameworks for managing nerves and staying present. (This is not medical advice, but many readers find it helpful for pressure and performance.)
Do I need to know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube to enjoy it?
Not at all. If you enjoy personal growth, mindset, and learning how high performers think, you’ll get value even if you’ve never solved a cube.
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