Self-Improvement Archives

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

What’s the difference between simply hearing and effectively listening? What are you missing by not listening well? Kate Murphy’s You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters makes a case for the value of listening more effectively. She argues that people are struggling to pay attention to each other, largely thanks to our self-centered culture, technological distractions, and a toxic political atmosphere. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

Creating a Productive Work Environment: A Space for Flow

What kind of lighting boosts your creativity? What temperature should your workspace be? In Think Big, Grace Lordan argues that most of us fail to transform our lives because we try to change too much too quickly. Instead, we must set a big goal and then take the regular, small steps necessary to achieve it. One of those steps is creating a productive work environment. Read more to learn how to set up your environment for maximum productivity.

How to Use Feedback to Improve Performance: Tips to Excel

What would you like to get better at? Do you regularly ask for feedback? What types of feedback do you find most helpful? Workplace performance psychologist Ron Friedman wants you to find creative success. In his book Decoding Greatness, he shows how good feedback is part of the equation. He discusses what makes feedback good, how you should ask for it, and how to be receptive to it. Read on to learn how to use feedback to improve performance.

How to Build Career Relationships That Support Your Goals

What kind of people can help you elevate your career? Do you deliberately develop relationships that help you reach your goals? Behavioral science expert Grace Lordan explains how you can change your life by identifying who you want to become and then making a plan to turn your ideal future self into a reality. One step is to find people who can support your career goals and actively foster relationships with them. Keep reading to learn how to build career relationships that are mutually beneficial.

The 9 Best Books on Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Are you exhausted from work? What are the best books on burnout to read? Working hard is one thing, but overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion is another. When you do the latter, you experience burnout, which is physical and emotional tiredness that can leave you feeling frustrated over your imbalanced life. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best books on burnout to keep you out of a sluggish state.

Why Is It Important to Listen? 3 Benefits of Effective Listening

Do you listen as well as you think you do? Why is it important to listen? What might you be missing out on? Listening is far more than just hearing what people say. Effective listening creates meaningful connections between you and others, fosters learning and growth, and enables cooperation. In other words, listening well simply makes life better. Keep reading to learn why it is important to listen.

What Is Buddhist Meditation? Background & Types

What is Buddhist meditation? What are the two most popular types? What is the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion often associated with meditation and mindfulness. Buddhism focuses on finding happiness through self-improvement, rather than through understanding God or seeking divine guidance. Here’s a look at the background of Buddhist meditation, including vipassana and metta meditation.

How to Respond to Feedback—Despite Your Cognitive Biases

Whom should you ask for feedback? What should you refuse to receive feedback about? Should you take negative feedback to heart? Grace Lordan says that cognitive biases—the mental shortcuts that all humans take—can hinder you from achieving your goals. One way they do that is by preventing you from soliciting and responding well to feedback. But, if you want to reach your goals, you need wise insights from others around you. Keep reading to learn how to respond to feedback without interference from your cognitive biases.

Why Don’t People Listen? 4 Common Barriers to Listening

Why don’t people listen? If listening is so important and beneficial, then why aren’t people doing it? Everyone would agree that listening is a critical skill. But, many people aren’t stellar listeners. When you understand why people don’t listen, you’ll be in a better position to work around and perhaps even overcome the roadblocks. Continue reading to learn about common barriers to listening.

Power vs. Force by David Hawkins: Book Overview & Takeaways

How do you know whether something is true or not? Whether it’s good or bad? What does your level of consciousness have to do with it? Despite its title, Power vs. Force by David Hawkins is really about human consciousness. Hawkins discusses his theories for what consciousness is, how to measure it, how you can boost your consciousness, and what a higher consciousness can do for you. Continue reading for an overview of this book that could open you up to a new perspective.