The World's Best Book Summaries
Why do they say “don’t talk about your goals?” How can publicizing your goals compromise your chances of achieving them? If you are into personal development, chances are you are familiar with the “don’t talk about your goals” mantra. There are several ways talking about your goals can prevent you from achieving them. Read on to find out why they say “don’t talk about your goals.”
Is there a way of expressing anger in a nonviolent, constructive way? How can you show the other person that you are angry without displaying all the usual signs of anger? Expressing anger in a healthy way starts by taking responsibility for it. To do that, we have to accept that other people are never the true cause of our anger—they are the stimulus. Here are some tips for expressing anger in a nonviolent and constructive way.
How do you explain emotions to a child? What are some strategies to teach emotional intelligence to children? Children with high emotional intelligence are better able to cope with difficult emotions because they understand that feelings are temporary. They are also more adept at recognizing the complexity of their own and other people’s emotions. Here are two lessons for teaching emotional intelligence to children.
What is the selfish gene theory? How does it depart from traditional biologists’ views of organisms and evolution? The selfish gene theory, developed by evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins, contradicts traditional perspectives in biology and evolution. He argues that life is best understood from the genetic perspective as opposed to the organismal perspective. Read on for more about the selfish gene theory.
What is active listening in negotiation and why is it so important? What can do you do to improve your active listening skills? Active listening in negotiation is critical for you to be successful. It can help you disarm your counterpart and show them that you really care about what they have to say. Read more about active listening, negotiation, and how to make your counterpart feel heard.
What is reflective listening? How does it differ from the way we normally listen in conversation? Reflective listening is different from a typical conversation, where it’s easy to drift into mentally preparing a response or coming up with solutions while the other person is talking. Listening reflectively requires that you resist the temptation to argue, give advice, or try to “fix” the situation. Read about reflective listening and how to apply it in conversation.
What is the wheel of awareness? How can it help you manage your attention and maintain internal balance? There are many parts of you—thoughts, feelings, dreams, body sensations, etc. The wheel of awareness is a framework for integrating all these different aspects of yourself to maintain mental and emotional equilibrium. Keep reading for more about the wheel of awareness.
What is reciprocal altruism and what does it look like in nature? How does reciprocal altruism actually benefit the individual helping someone else? Reciprocal altruism is an action taken that can benefit another animal in return for their beneficial action. Still, the reasoning behind the supposed altruism may actually be rooted in selfishness. Read more about reciprocal altruism and what Richard Dawkins says about it in The Selfish Gene.
What is the role of mirroring in a negotiation? How can it help you build trust and connect with your counterpart? Mirroring in a negotiation is one of the most effective psychological tactics. Essentially, it’s imitation and repetition. You repeat the last three words that the person has said in your next sentence. Read more about how to use mirroring in a negotiation.
Can you develop empathy in children? How can you help your child consider other people’s needs, feelings, and perspectives? Empathy in children is essential for connecting with others and developing healthy relationships without compromising their sense of self. Interpersonal connection and socialization are important aspects of children’s psychological development. Keep reading to learn how to develop empathy in children.