The World's Best Book Summaries
How does culture influence who you are? How does it impact your goals and your behaviors? Sometimes your environment can make it hard for you to be yourself. Culture places certain expectations on people, and it can be difficult to stay true to what you really want and who you really are. Keep reading to understand how it can be easy to lose yourself amid cultural pressures.
Is your mind overwhelmed by negativity? What can you do to combat the tendency to think in negative terms? The human brain is wired for negativity because it aids survival. However, you have the power to consciously override the negativity bias and train yourself to maintain a positive outlook. With this in mind, here’s how to stop negative self-talk or, at least, not take it seriously.
What makes you anxious? What are you avoiding? What do you hate to even think about? Martha Beck argues that, if you’re not happy, it’s because you’re out of alignment with your true self. To get in alignment, you must discard false beliefs. One way to do this is to move inward toward your brain’s zones of denial. These are the things that make you anxious. Keep reading to learn about these “forbidden zones” and see why peace is on the other side.
What does your inner voice tell you? Should you listen to it? That little voice in your head, Mo Gawdat says, might be getting between you and happiness. If you think your inner voice is equivalent to you, suffering will be your companion. But, you can free yourself from this misconception and find more joy. Continue reading to learn how to listen to your inner voice and respond to it appropriately.
Are you still trying to find your soulmate? Do you believe that everyone has a soulmate—a person they’re destined to be with? The idea that everyone has a soulmate may feel attractive and reassuring to some people. However, trying to find your soulmate isn’t the most optimal dating strategy. Here’s why the idea of a soulmate is problematic.
Are your parents overstepping some lines? Do you need to set boundaries with your parents? Setting boundaries with parents can be frightening, but sometimes it’s necessary for your own happiness. In Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Lindsey Gibson advises how to reframe your relationship with your parents so that you can thrive. Let’s look at the key to setting boundaries with parents.
Can a lie feel like it’s true? How can you tell when something you believe is false? How can you recognize the truth? Martha Beck argues that the only way to overcome the chronic misery of misalignment with your true self is through a four-stage process of realignment. The second stage is challenging your false beliefs and recognizing your inner truths. Let’s unpack Beck’s methods for challenging your beliefs—exposing what’s false and uncovering what’s true.
Do you want to know how to develop good habits? More importantly, how do you make sure you don’t fall off track once a habit is successfully established? When it comes to developing good habits, consistency is key: You must show up enough times for your brain to internalize a behavior and make it near-automatic. Once the habit is established, the work is not over: Maintaining healthy habits is an ongoing effort. Here are a few tips for increasing your chances of successfully starting and maintaining habits.
How can you stop comparing yourself to others? Why is it so important to stop? According to Steven Bartlett, you can’t find happiness, love, and wealth by simply following three steps and a hack or two. In Happy Sexy Millionaire, he explains why the internet, social media, and algorithms have dazzled you into comparing yourself to others and why it’s important to stop. Keep reading for Bartlett’s advice on how to stop comparing yourself to others.
What is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship? How does your childhood affect your adult relationships? In Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Lindsey Gibson proclaims that childhood emotional neglect can have a negative effect on your relationships in adulthood. This is because victims might be attracted to people who feel familiar. Take a look at how to maintain healthy relationships to break the cycle.