The World's Best Book Summaries
What is self-talk? What happens in our brains when we’re engaging in self-talk? Self-talk is thoughts that take the form of silent words you “hear” in your mind. For most people, it’s a mundane occurrence because it happens automatically. Behind the scenes, however, it’s a complex psychological process. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of self-talk, according to Ethan Kross.
What is systems awareness? How can it help us solve global problems such as climate change? In his book Focus, Daniel Goleman outlines three main directions you can aim your attention: inward, toward others, and outward. He connects each direction to certain skills. He associates an outward focus with the skill of systems awareness. Keep reading to learn how tackling the biggest problems requires systems awareness and learn some concrete steps we can take to achieve it.
What is the role of self-worth in relationships? Why should you take care of yourself while in a relationship? Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff examines how self-compassion can improve your relationships. She says this can be done by allowing you to change your behavior so you can partner and parent more effectively. Find out how to be a better partner and parent by showing yourself some love.
Do you struggle with brain fog? What are some things you can do to help quiet the mental noise that prevents you from thinking clearly? If you have difficulty thinking clearly, you need to eliminate the junk information that muddies your mind and reduce the noise around you. According to Ryan Holiday, the foundation of clear thinking is having a maintenance routine to keep your mind still. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can maintain mental clarity.
What are the tell-tale signs of a toxic person? What should you do if you’ve become involved with someone who exhibits toxic behaviors? You’re going to encounter toxic people in your life. With some of them, you’ll even form close and intimate relationships. Sooner or later, however, their toxic traits will come up to the surface and may even negatively impact your life. Keep reading to learn about the importance of letting go of toxic people and how to recognize toxic qualities.
What is critical thinking in psychology? What are some things you can do to improve your critical thinking skills? In psychology, critical thinking is an active process of thinking that involves understanding and applying the various levels of cognition to enhance one’s understanding. Specifically, critical thinking involves evaluating information for weaknesses, drawbacks, and inconsistencies. Below, we’ll explore what critical thinking is, what happens when it’s lacking, and why modern culture discourages it. Then, we’ll provide a few suggestions for developing your critical thinking skills.
Why is it so hard to focus? What are you missing when you get distracted? How is attention like a muscle? Daniel Goleman believes that you can improve your attention—by strengthening it with training and restoring it when it’s fatigued. First, you must understand what weakens and disrupts your attention in the first place. Continue reading to learn why it’s so hard to focus, especially these days.
Are you often distracted? Do you ever suffer from attention fatigue? Just as your body needs time to rest and recover from strenuous physical exertion, your attention needs restoration after it becomes fatigued. In Focus, Daniel Goleman provides advice on how to get your focus back. Keep reading to learn how Goleman’s recommendations can help you get back on track.
Do you always feel mentally tired? What are some things you can do to increase your mental energy so you can focus for longer and think more effectively? The best way to increase your mental energy is to eliminate the amount of information you consume. This will give you more mental bandwidth to devote to mentally taxing pursuits. With this in mind, here are some tips on how to increase mental energy and focus.
Who are “protectors” in IFS? What role do protectors play in our psyche? “Protectors” are the parts of ourselves that guard our “exiles”—the youngest and the most vulnerable parts of ourselves—from unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and memories. In other words, protectors are the defense mechanisms we use to avoid getting hurt. Keep reading to learn about the concept of IFS protectors and how to work with them in therapy.