The World's Best Book Summaries
What’s the difference between a vocation and a career? Which do you have? David Brooks tackles the “vocation vs. career” question by asking it in the context of two different approaches to life: individualism and relationalism. He connects careers to individualism and vocations to relationalism. Continue reading to understand how vocations and careers reflect different purposes and, thus, garner different rewards.
Why is hustle culture toxic? What needs to be done to slow down your work pace? Many people work 40 hours a week or more to make ends meet. Even outside of work hours, workers are often expected to check emails and answer phone calls, cutting into their rest time. This is what’s known as hustle culture, which has become a toxic cycle. Let’s dive deeper into why hustle culture is toxic and what can be done to resist it.
Why do most people work 40 hours per week? Are there benefits of a shorter workweek? The traditional 40-hour workweek is designed to keep employees productive and dedicated to the job, but it actually does the opposite. Instead, working an excessive amount of hours makes employees exhausted and less motivated. The solution is to form a shorter week that prioritizes employees’ happiness and health. Below we’ll look at reasons why a shorter workweek is beneficial and what can be done to implement it.
How do you visualize success? What visualization techniques are helpful for achieving difficult goals? When you actually visualize your success, you have a much better chance of believing you can achieve anything. In The Way of the SEAL, Mark Divine offers two visualization techniques that build confidence during the worst of times. Continue reading for the key strategies to visualize success in your future.
What does it mean to be focused? How do experts define focus? Why do we get distracted? For some time now, psychologists, productivity experts, and tech industry gurus have sought to define the true meaning of focus and why we get distracted. In their efforts to discover how we can learn to stay on task, they’ve uncovered fascinating insights about what it means to be truly focused. Read on to learn how they define focus and why we lose our concentration.
What’s a daemon? How can it help you find your vocation in life? Unlike careers, vocations are central to your identity. That’s why it’s important to find yours. In The Second Mountain, David Brooks says that you first need to identify your obsession in life. Read on for Brooks’s advice on how to find your vocation in life.
What is the importance of a mission statement? What makes a strong mission in a business? When you’re starting a new business in the modern work world, you need a mission statement that will keep your company afloat through unpredictable times. With advice from Mark Divine’s book The Way of the SEAL, you’ll be able to set a mission statement that will lessen the risk of failure. Continue reading to learn more about the importance of a mission statement.
What are the benefits of working in a team? How can being in a supportive team prime everyone for success? You’re more likely to achieve success when you work with a team than when you work on your own. When a group of people collectively work toward a goal, their combined knowledge, expertise, and resources allow them to achieve much more than they could on their own. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of supportive teams.
Does your company budget for innovation? Are you willing to risk failure? How do you deal with mistakes? Innovative leaders infuse their whole organizations with a commitment to innovation. Company mindsets are most effective when they’re shared among everyone. The Innovator’s DNA outlines three core tenets you can adopt to support your employees in having the courage and ability to innovate. Continue reading to learn how to foster an innovative mindset in your organization.
What do innovative organizations have in common? How can you set your company up for breakthroughs? The authors of The Innovator’s DNA identify five behaviors and skills shared by the top innovators. Then, they explain how to drive meaningful change by embedding these behaviors and skills into your organization. They address team makeup and structure, workflows, and mindset. Keep reading to learn what innovative organizations have in common, and see how you can count your company among them by doing what they do.