The World's Best Book Summaries
Is it possible to condition yourself for success? How can you make yourself act in ways that are conducive to your goals? According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, your mind works similar to a machine. Therefore, he argues, you can program yourself to act in a goal-oriented way—the key is to learn to use your imagination constructively. In this article, we’ll explore how to program your mind for success, according to Maltz.
Do you consider yourself an optimistic person? Do you always bank on the best possible outcome even if all odds are against you? The basic factor of succeeding in anything is learning to believe it’s possible. William James summed it up with this famous quote: “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures a successful outcome.” Here is how expecting the best can actually draw the best to you.
Do you want to know how to plan your goals and follow through? What do you think is the main obstacle? Most people have at least some idea of the goals they want to achieve. The challenge comes in creating a realistic and actionable plan on which they can follow through. In his book The Sligh Edge, Jeff Olson lays out a two-step process for planning your goals: 1) design a representation of your goal, and 2) create a blueprint for carrying it out. We’ll explore both of these principles below.
What is contrarian thinking? How do you practice divergent thinking? Contrarian thinking involves challenging the prevailing consensus on any particular issue to arrive at an independent point of view. Thinking for yourself can help generate new ideas that are more correct than the public consensus. You practice divergent thinking by inverting the prevailing view on an issue to see it from a different perspective. Read on to discover how to practice contrarian thinking.
How do you join in a group conversation without being rude? Is there a polite way to interrupt an ongoing conversation? Whether you’re at a work party, a family get-together, or a business meeting, it’s important to connect with others. But that’s not always easy when they already know each other or are already engaged in a conversation. So, here are some tips on how to insert yourself into a group conversation.
What exactly is self-image? Do you think your self-image accurately reflects who you are and what you are capable of? Your self-image is the mental image you hold about yourself. According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, your self-image is not an accurate reflection of who you are. It’s simply a construct of thoughts you chose to think about past experiences. In this article, we’ll look at the psychology of self-image: what influences it, and how it affects your ability to succeed and experience happiness.
Do you consider yourself an authentic person? How does modern culture encourage inauthentic behavior? Your environment (social circle and media) is constantly trying to shape you into something that you should be. The underlying message is that you should be, do, or have more to be “good enough.” If you’re sensitive to these opinions and focus more on satisfying the expectations of others than you do on figuring out what you need to feel inner fulfillment—this external focus inhibits you from acting authentically. In this article, we’ll take a look at the two ways modern culture encourages inauthentic behavior: 1)
Do you ever get stuck in a conversation and don’t know how to end it? Is there a way to politely escape a conversation? Whether you’re at a business party, an event, or a family reunion, odds are that at some point you’ve been stuck in an awkward conversation. Luckily, you don’t have to fake a phone call to get out of it—just try one of these tips. In this article, we’ll explore how to gracefully end a conversation without burning any bridges.
What does it take to achieve success? More importantly, what does it take to sustain success over time? In his book The Sligh Edge, author Jeff Olson argues that success is built over time with small disciplines executed on a consistent basis. Further, he presents six core principles that, when adhered to, will create continual success in whatever it is you are striving for. In this article, we’ll explore the six The Slight Edge principles by Jeff Olson.
Why is objective decision-making important? How do you make objective decisions? Objective decision-making is important because it helps you focus on verifiable facts and embrace contrary thinking that may be more correct than the prevailing wisdom. You can always stay objective by recognizing that it’s easy to delude yourself, readily entertaining other opinions, and being willing to destroy your favorite ideas. Read on to discover the 3 steps to objective decision-making.