The World's Best Book Summaries
How do outside distractions prevent us from getting work done? Why is a routine the best way to improve your focus? One of the reasons we procrastinate is that we have trouble focusing on what we need to be doing. Immediate Action by Thibaut Meurisse says that sometimes we’re overstimulated, distracted, or otherwise unable to pay complete attention to the task at hand. Continue reading to learn how to improve your focus with a routine.
Do you have a big project you’re afraid of completing? What’s the process of fully understanding the task at hand? Immediate Action by Thibaut Meurisse says we tend to procrastinate when we don’t fully understand the task we need to complete. The best solution to this problem is to take time to understand every detail of the task. Check out how to fully examine the task at hand.
Do you have trouble sticking to a commitment? How do you stay committed to your goals? It can be hard to stay committed to a goal if the work’s hard and you feel like giving up. But in How Champions Think, Bob Rotella has a number of methods that’ll give you the push you need to follow through. Find out how to stay committed to your goals, no matter what.
What’s the connection between procrastination and fear of failure? How can you overcome this fear of failure? One reason why we procrastinate is because of a sense of inadequacy. In Immediate Action, Thibaut Meurisse writes that when we fear we aren’t good enough to reach our goals, we keep putting off tasks we need to complete. Learn how to confront your fear of failure so you can get your tasks done.
Do you have a hard time getting your team members or colleagues to enthusiastically engage in a new project? Does it seem like they’re on a page that doesn’t even exist in your book? According to influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet, if you learn how someone is motivated, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. She discusses six motivation patterns in a workplace context, but you can use her insights in any setting. Continue reading to learn how to motivate people at work by speaking their motivation language.
Do you tend to blow things out of proportion? How can you embody a more realistic mindset? When you blow things out of proportion, you’re looking at something with an exaggerated view. When it comes to a simple task, you might think it’s too difficult or big to handle. Find out how to stop blowing things out of proportion, according to Immediate Action by Thibaut Meurisse.
Are you too tired to do what you want to do, much less what you need to do? Do you ever suffer from decision paralysis? In his book Mastery, George Leonard writes about living a fulfilling life. He argues that the master’s path is the only guaranteed way to do it. A life of mastery is one lived in disciplined dedication to your chosen skill, craft, or art. It’s in this context that he discusses energy, and his insights are broadly applicable. Keep reading to learn how to get your energy back and channel it toward a life of fulfillment.
Have you been slowed down by discouragement, perfectionism, or even an injury? What does it mean to “compete with spirit”? The path of mastery is not always smooth. As you pursue a discipline of any kind, you’re bound to run into obstacles, find yourself sidelined, or even get knocked off your feet. Educator George Leonard describes how you can press on in strength as you walk the lifelong path of the master. Read more for Leonard’s encouraging advice on how to push through when the going gets tough.
Are your team members more interested in their personal success than the team’s success? If so, what can be done about it? Patrick Lencioni identifies inattention to results as the fifth dysfunction of a team. He argues that employees too often direct their attention toward their own interests at the expense of the team’s interests. Keep reading to learn how to get your team to focus on results instead of themselves.
What does it take to convince you of something? How in touch are you with what it takes to persuade the people around you? Influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet contends that everyone has a persuasion style. She identifies four persuasion styles and provides advice on how you can detect a person’s style and communicate with them in a way that hits the mark. She also addresses the amount of evidence people require. Read more to understand Charvet’s arguments and to get some analysis on both persuasion styles and requirements.