The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you a writer or an aspiring writer? What’s on your reading list? Writers are readers. It’s beneficial for writers to read all sorts of books—fiction and nonfiction alike. But, for those who seriously seek to hone their craft and find encouragement from people who’ve been there, a few must-reads rise to the top. Discover our list of the best books for writers to read.
How does good feedback push you toward your goals? Where should you go to seek feedback? According to How Champions Think by Bob Rotella, you should look for supportive people who genuinely want you to succeed for advice. They won’t try to tear you down, but they’ll also give you honest and constructive feedback that you need. Find out how to get the feedback you need to hear.
Have you been slowed down by discouragement, perfectionism, or even an injury? What does it mean to “compete with spirit”? The path of mastery is not always smooth. As you pursue a discipline of any kind, you’re bound to run into obstacles, find yourself sidelined, or even get knocked off your feet. Educator George Leonard describes how you can press on in strength as you walk the lifelong path of the master. Read more for Leonard’s encouraging advice on how to push through when the going gets tough.
Do you dread doing the dishes? Do everyday tasks seem small and insignificant? With a shift in attitude, you can find significance and even joy in life’s smallest moments. In Mastery, George Leonard says the path of the master is a life lived in disciplined dedication to your chosen skill, craft, or art. The most direct way to get on this path is to master the mundane aspects of your day. Keep reading for Leonard’s insights into how to enjoy everyday life.
Are your reading skills lacking? How can you be a better reader? Reading is an important skill that people of all ages need. Don’t worry if your literary skills aren’t up to par—we have plenty of tips that’ll help you get the most out of your reading time. Learn how to be a better reader and why picking up a book every once in a while is worth your time.
Do you want to have a healthy relationship with food? How are diets destroying food culture? Your body needs food and nourishment to survive, so you shouldn’t restrict yourself from giving your body what it needs. Yet, harmful diets that perpetuate unrealistic body images and discourage listening to your body get in the way of a good relationship with food. Below we’ll look at how to have a healthy relationship with food by ignoring diet culture and finding joy in eating.
What’s Gallup’s leadership philosophy? What are the best Gallup strengths for leaders? Gallup is a business research and consulting company that Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie bases most of its research on. Their book lists four strengths that leaders should capitalize on based on their innate talents, with the help of a well-balanced team to fill in the gaps. Keep reading to learn more about the best Gallup strengths for leaders.
How often do you misunderstand what people are saying? When someone’s talking to you, do you pay attention to more than just the words they say? Every day, you hear people communicate. But, hearing doesn’t necessarily equal understanding. To completely get what someone is attempting to communicate to you takes skill—specifically, the skill of active listening. Read more to learn how to practice active listening and stop missing what people are trying to tell you.
What routines do you have that don’t serve your goals? What harmful behaviors would you like to stop doing? Everyone has bad habits. One of the best ways to tackle them is to engage in serious self-exploration. We’ve put together several questions about bad habits that will help you identify and understand your habits, identify replacement behaviors, and then implement those replacements. Continue reading for five exercises that will propel you toward a healthier, happier life.
Are you a bundle of nerves? Do worried thoughts occupy your mind? Is anxiety keeping you from living the life you want? Self-exploration is a powerful way to combat anxiety. It’s easier to deal with your worries when you know what they are and where they come from. We’ve put together 13 exercises based on concepts in several books—from classics to new titles, from secular sources as well as Buddhist and Christian works. Read on to find dozens of anxiety discussion questions based on the concepts in The Art of Happiness, Unwinding Anxiety, The Power of Positive Thinking, and How