Self-Improvement Archives

How to Practice Effectively: 3 Ways to Make the Most of Practice

Do you keep a practice journal? Is your practice too easy or repetitive, or does it stretch you? In Decoding Greatness, Ron Friedman shares his advice for doing great work—whether that means getting a show at an art gallery, winning a marathon, or nailing a big product pitch. One strategy for improving your performance is effective practice. Read on to learn how to practice effectively by implementing Friedman’s three recommendations.

How to Manage Your Time at Work: The 90-Minute Flow

Do you always take more time on tasks than you expect to? What’s the key to realistic planning and higher productivity? If you’re like most people, there’s a gap between who you are and who you want to be. You wish you could get more done in less time. Grace Lordan says that, first, you must get real when it comes to planning. Then, she recommends a work schedule that helps you take advantage of flow. Continue reading to learn how to manage your time at work and ultimately get more done.

What Causes Procrastination? The 3 Psychological Culprits

What causes procrastination? Why is it so hard to take the first step to get to work? In The Procrastination Cure, Damon Zahariades offers several reasons why people procrastinate. We’ve compiled these reasons into three categories: your brain prefers immediate rewards, fear and negative self-esteem get in the way, and you’re scared to take the first step. Let’s look at these causes of procrastination to get a better idea.

How to Track Your Progress—and Why You Should

How does setting goals help you do great work? Why is it important to track your progress toward your goals? Ron Friedman believes you can do and make great things by reverse engineering work you admire. Part of the process is improving your own work performance. This invariably entails setting goals and tracking your progress. Read on to learn how to improve your performance with metrics.

How to Become More Resilient: 3 Tips for Bouncing Back

Do you get discouraged? Does it stop you from trying again? What if you could turn that around? Setbacks are unavoidable. How you react to them is up to you. You can train yourself—not only to bounce back—but to turn one step backward into two steps forward. Behavioral science expert Grace Lordan shares three ways to do that. Keep reading to learn how to become more resilient and move forward in strength.

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

What’s the difference between simply hearing and effectively listening? What are you missing by not listening well? Kate Murphy’s You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters makes a case for the value of listening more effectively. She argues that people are struggling to pay attention to each other, largely thanks to our self-centered culture, technological distractions, and a toxic political atmosphere. Continue reading for an overview of this important book.

Creating a Productive Work Environment: A Space for Flow

What kind of lighting boosts your creativity? What temperature should your workspace be? In Think Big, Grace Lordan argues that most of us fail to transform our lives because we try to change too much too quickly. Instead, we must set a big goal and then take the regular, small steps necessary to achieve it. One of those steps is creating a productive work environment. Read more to learn how to set up your environment for maximum productivity.

How to Use Feedback to Improve Performance: Tips to Excel

What would you like to get better at? Do you regularly ask for feedback? What types of feedback do you find most helpful? Workplace performance psychologist Ron Friedman wants you to find creative success. In his book Decoding Greatness, he shows how good feedback is part of the equation. He discusses what makes feedback good, how you should ask for it, and how to be receptive to it. Read on to learn how to use feedback to improve performance.

How to Build Career Relationships That Support Your Goals

What kind of people can help you elevate your career? Do you deliberately develop relationships that help you reach your goals? Behavioral science expert Grace Lordan explains how you can change your life by identifying who you want to become and then making a plan to turn your ideal future self into a reality. One step is to find people who can support your career goals and actively foster relationships with them. Keep reading to learn how to build career relationships that are mutually beneficial.

The 9 Best Books on Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Are you exhausted from work? What are the best books on burnout to read? Working hard is one thing, but overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion is another. When you do the latter, you experience burnout, which is physical and emotional tiredness that can leave you feeling frustrated over your imbalanced life. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best books on burnout to keep you out of a sluggish state.