Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy: Book Overview & Lessons

The silhouette of a person hiking to the peak of a mountain

In Inner Excellence, performance coach Jim Murphy argues that chasing external achievements like promotions, trophies, or perfect scores creates a cycle of temporary satisfaction followed by endless wanting. Instead, he presents a counterintuitive approach: focus on developing yourself from the inside out through mastering your values, beliefs, emotions, and mental focus. When you shift your attention from external validation to internal development, you naturally perform better under stress while experiencing the sense of purpose and aliveness that external success promises but rarely delivers. Keep reading for a full book overview.

Unplug by Richard Simon: Overview, Lessons, & Exercises

A girl unplugging her cell phone from its charger

Do you reach for your smartphone dozens of times a day, even when you don’t need it? If so, you’re not alone. You’re caught in a cycle that affects millions of people worldwide—one where the very device designed to make life easier has become a source of distraction, anxiety, and disconnection. The solution isn’t about finding better apps or setting screen time limits; it requires a complete shift in focus away from constant digital stimulation and toward intentional, meaningful engagement with your real-world priorities. In his book Unplug, Richard Simon argues that breaking free from smartphone dependency demands radical action:

Quantum Accountability: Overview (Kelly & Kevin Kramer)

A woman pondering with a thought bubble in front of a yellow background

Do your negative thoughts control you? Do you feel unfulfilled in life? In Quantum Accountability, Kelley and Kevin Kramer explain what quantum accountability is and how it’s linked to your mindset and reality. They also discuss how to practice quantum accountability so you can create a positive mental and physical world that enables you to flourish. Read more in our overview of Quantum Accountability.

Think Like a Freak by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner: Overview

An artistic image of a person thinking while numbers come from their head

Why do so many people fail to solve problems effectively? How can you use data to solve your problems? Think Like a Freak by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner offers a revolutionary approach to problem-solving. The authors show you how to tackle everything from personal dilemmas to global issues by adopting a data-driven mindset that questions assumptions and embraces unconventional thinking. Keep reading for an overview of the book Think Like a Freak.

Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis: Book Overview

The silhouette of a person walking toward the end of a wooden bridge that ends with a drop into the unknown

How can you break free from fear-based choices that leave you feeling unfulfilled? What if choosing safety is actually the riskiest decision you can make? In Never Play It Safe, Chase Jarvis challenges the conventional wisdom that safety leads to happiness. He reveals how fear-based decisions create lives that look impressive from the outside but feel hollow within. Read more to discover how to live a riskier, yet more fulfilling life with our Never Play It Safe book overview.

How to Do Things You Hate—Book Overview (Peter Hollins)

A silhouette of a person vacuuming a carpet in their home

Do you struggle to stay disciplined in work and life? Should you be focusing more on short-term or long-term values? In the book How to Do Things You Hate, Peter Hollins explains that avoiding doing the things you don’t want to do creates a spiral that makes everything worse. Instead, he teaches you how to strengthen your self-discipline so you can find the motivation to get things done. Continue reading for an overview of Hollins’ book, complete with exercises.

Stop Self-Sabotage by Judy Ho: Book Overview & Lessons

A man at work who looks tired and is resting his head on his hand at his desk

Do you have a tendency to undermine your own success? How can you overcome your self-sabotaging tendencies? In her book Stop Self-Sabotage, Judy Ho explores the root cause of self-sabotaging behavior: the conflict between the desire to get what you want and the desire to avoid what your mind perceives as danger. Then she explains how to replace your self-destructive habits with better ones. Keep reading for an overview of Stop Self-Sabotage.

Ikigai & Kaizen by Anthony Raymond—Book Overview

A woman reading a book while sitting in a Japanese garden

Do you struggle to take action and make progress toward your goals? How can you overcome the three most common obstacles to reaching your goals? In Ikigai & Kaizen, Anthony Raymond suggests that three obstacles contribute to this struggle—insufficient motivation, unawareness of self-sabotaging behaviors, and fear of taking action. He argues that you can overcome these obstacles by integrating three Japanese strategies: ikigai, hansei, and kaizen. Continue reading for an overview of Ikigai & Kaizen and learn how to reach your goals.

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki: Book Overview

A line drawing of a man on a couch reading a book in a minimalist living room

Do you have a hard time getting rid of things? How might these things be holding you back from happiness? In the book Goodbye, Things, Fumio Sasaki shares his story, arguing that you can be happier, freer, and more focused by eliminating clutter. He presents minimalism as more than simply an organizational strategy, but an entire approach to life that reshapes how you use your time and form relationships. Keep reading for an overview of the book, along with practical advice for choosing what to discard and how to overcome the challenges of letting things go.

Fumio Sasaki’s 4 Minimalism Tips (From Goodbye, Things)

A minimalist living room that contains a white couch and a side table with a plant next to a large window

Do you want to be a minimalist but struggle to let go of things? How can you keep yourself from buying more stuff? In his book Goodbye, Things, minimalist Fumio Sasaki shares his recommendations for transitioning into a minimalist lifestyle. He explains that minimalism isn’t just about throwing things away; rather, it’s a complete mindset shift. Continue reading for Fumio Sasaki’s minimalism tips.