The World's Best Book Summaries
What are value streams? How do you set up a value stream that fits your needs? A value stream is the development of tasks from ideas to accomplishments. Setting up a value stream is the second step of a kanban board, according to Personal Kanban by Jim Benson and Tonianne DeMaria. Check out how to create a value stream that fits your needs.
How can you constantly improve yourself and your work habits? How is continuous improvement part of the kanban system? In kanban, continuous improvement is at the core of the workflow system. The way you achieve it is by observing your work, asking questions, and trying out new ways of doing things. It’s important to take some time to step back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished so you can continue moving forward. Let’s look at three ways to embed continuous self-improvement into your personal kanban practice.
What is karma yoga? How can karma yoga help you balance the karma in your life? Karma yoga is a spiritual practice meant to reorient your mindset; by practicing karma yoga, you can develop a deeper connection to and harmony with the universe. Developing your understanding of how this works can grow your own spiritual practice. Here are some ways that karma yoga can help you release karma in your life.
What’s a reductio ad absurdum? When and how should you use this useful logical construct? In Calling Bullshit, Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West contend that anyone can learn how to identify and refute bullshit in its many forms. One way to call bullshit is to construct a reduction to absurdity. It’s also helpful to know how to respond when someone uses a reduction to absurdity with one of your claims. Keep reading to understand this handy tool and get some practical advice on how to use it to get closer to the truth.
When you recognize lies and misinformation, do you call them out? Do you have the guts to do it but lack the skills to counter false claims? Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West acknowledge that identifying bullshit alone isn’t enough to mitigate its spread. To that end, they share several techniques for calling bullshit so that others don’t fall for it: Construct a reductio ad absurdum, provide counterexamples, and use clarifying analogies. Read more to learn how to call BS and keep misinformation at bay.
Do you tend to believe everything you hear? Would you like to foster healthy skepticism without falling into the trap of cynicism? Let’s be frank: The modern world is replete with bullshit—a phenomenon that professors Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West define as the use of misleading evidence to persuade an audience. But, we aren’t defenseless against this bullshit, they argue. Read more to learn how to be skeptical and identify bullshit in its many forms.
Is the 10,000-hour rule true? How long does it really take to become proficient in a skill? There’s a notion going around that you must invest 10,000 hours of practice if you want to adopt a new skill. But, that’s not quite the way it is. In The First 20 Hours, skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman sets the record straight. Read more to learn the truth about the 10,000-hour rule.
Do you feel guilty when you practice self-care? Do you think it’s a waste of time? Grace Beverley wants you to stop seeing self-care and productivity as opposites. She discusses two common barriers to self-care and shares advice on how to overcome them so that you can take care of your health and be more productive as a result. Keep reading to learn about these barriers to self-care and the remedies.
Does it feel like happiness is always a step ahead of you? Have you ever tried to think positively and still felt unhappy? You’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to feel happy no matter how many positive thoughts they force themselves to think. Oliver Burkeman’s The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking sheds light on this conundrum. Continue reading for an overview of this book that might lead you to take a new approach to happiness.
What skill do you want to learn? How should you go about choosing among the countless options? Skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman provides a step-by-step process for mastering the basics of any new skill with only 20 hours of practice. His system favors efficiency, so the first step is to choose a skill wisely and then attach a specific goal to it. Continue reading to learn how to take the first step toward learning a new skill in a way that sets you up for success.