The World's Best Book Summaries
How often do you have substantive conversations with your partner? How might a “relationship agreement” benefit you? Relationship experts contend that a key to maintaining a happy romantic relationship is to sustain emotional intimacy. Specifically, they suggest that you regularly connect with each other and let each other—and your relationship—evolve. Read on to discover three ways to maintain emotional intimacy in a relationship.
Do you prefer to talk about yourself than learn about others? Do you know how to make people feel comfortable and understood? A good conversationalist is a thoughtful one. They don’t monopolize conversations, they make people feel seen and heard, and they show genuine interest in others. In Better Small Talk, Patrick King shows how to take good care of the person you’re talking to so they want to continue the conversation. Continue reading for King’s advice on how to be a better conversationalist by being a thoughtful one.
Are you wasting resources trying to reach people who aren’t interested in what you have to sell? How is permission marketing different from traditional marketing? In This Is Marketing, entrepreneur and marketing expert Seth Godin challenges conventional marketing strategies. He argues that, in today’s media-saturated world, traditional marketing techniques are no longer effective. Read on to understand the definition of permission marketing and why Godin thinks it’s preferable to older methods.
How much does a nation’s geography impact its economic development? What difference does access to trade routes make? Tim Marshall argues that, much like the starting hand in a card game, the geography of a region determines its economic development. If it’s dealt a naturally winning hand—filled with natural resources and defensible natural boundaries—it’s likely that it will develop into a stable, successful state. Continue reading to understand the link between geography and economic development.
Do you acknowledge the difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism? Do you sometimes shut down because you’re feeling overwhelmed? Like every couple, you and your partner face conflict at times. But, you can still have a happy relationship despite these conflicts as long as you learn to manage them effectively. Specifically, experts recommend that you learn to recognize damaging relationship patterns so that you can avoid them. Read more to understand these patterns and see whether they’re in your own relationship.
What is it about Coca-Cola’s brand that makes it so effective? What should you consider when setting a price for your product or service? According to Seth Godin, branding and price are powerful tools. Used well, they can help you align your product’s story with the story that your audience tells. In This Is Marketing, he explains how to leverage branding and price effectively. Keep reading to understand how to use these important tools to your advantage.
How is mindfulness applied to everyday life? What’s the difference between the RAIN technique and the STOP technique? At a Buddhist conference, former ABC News anchor Dan Harris heard Tara Brach speak about loving and accepting yourself as you are. She presented a technique that he found helpful in applying mindfulness in everyday situations. Keep reading to learn about the RAIN technique and how it might benefit you as it benefited Harris.
Why does China seek out Africa’s resources? Why have India and Pakistan wanted control of Kashmir? Why has Korea been colonized and invaded so often? Geography shapes the way that nations interact with each other. Tim Marshall explains that, on the international stage, nations use trade, diplomacy, and military force as they vie for access to geographical bounties—troves of resources, trade routes, and defensive features. Read on to find several examples of geopolitics from Prisoners of Geography.
When you were young, what did you learn about conflict in relationships? Do you tend to fight dirty or just avoid conflict altogether? Relational conflict is unavoidable. But, destructive conflict is optional. If you’re committed to doing your part to build and maintain a happy relationship, equip yourself to fight in a healthy manner and choose your battles wisely. Keep reading for expert advice on how to argue with your partner in a way that ultimately brings you closer together.
Should you try to sell your product to everyone? What’s the best way to allocate your marketing budget? Seth Godin says that, to be effective at marketing, you must first understand what people need and then seek to fill that need. But, you can’t be all things to all people, so you must apply focus to your marketing efforts. You have to identify your core audience and serve them well. Read more to understand what Godin means by your “smallest viable market.”