The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you chasing happiness? What if you could catch up to it right now? Warren Berger says he has the answer, and it’s a question. His book A More Beautiful Question contains several types of inquiries that he says you should make in order to find success. But, the most beautiful question is the one that can bring you satisfaction immediately: “What am I grateful for?” Read on to learn why this question is so powerful.
Are you trying to master a skill? Do you have an instructor? What role should an instructor play in your pursuit of mastery? In Mastery, writer and educator George Leonard describes in detail how you can walk the path of the master—the life lived in disciplined dedication to your chosen skill, craft, or art. He says that you shouldn’t walk this path alone; you should take along an instructor. Continue reading to understand the importance of instruction as you pursue mastery.
Are you active or passive in your approach to action? What about the people around you? When you understand how people operate, it’s easier to communicate with them effectively and work with them toward a goal. Communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet discusses active vs. passive personality and shares tips on how to speak each language. Keep reading for her practical advice as well as a broader discussion about active and passive behavior.
Do you let your emotional investment in something keep you from moving on when you should? If so, are you missing out on something of even greater value? Clinical psychologist and management consultant Susan David says that emotional agility entails getting real about life and your emotional responses to it. Instead of living by false narratives, you live by true values. Part of the emotionally agile life is having a focus on the future, not the past. Read on to learn how this principle can help you start living by your values and avoid falling back into the trap of
How well does your body process saturated fat? Are fats unhealthy? Are some fats more detrimental than others? According to physician Peter Attia, olive oil in your diet is a good thing. That’s generally true for all monounsaturated fats. In his book Outlive, he explains why this type of fat is more healthy for you than polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats. Keep reading to learn the basic ins and outs of fats in your diet.
Are you going through life on autopilot? Would you like to find more direction and satisfaction? Author Warren Berger started his career as a journalist. That’s when he re-learned the importance of asking questions—an art that we usually lose after childhood. He says that asking questions about your own life can help you discover what makes you happy or what your life purpose is. Keep reading for three questions you should ask yourself if you want to understand where you are and where you’re headed.
Is “practice” a noun or a verb? In which sense is it more important for someone who’s pursuing mastery? If you’re a master, you practice your skill. But, you also have a practice. Ultimately, you live and embody a practice. In Mastery, writer and educator George Leonard explains that mastery is not just an ability or an accomplishment; it’s a way of life. Read more to learn about practice and mastery, according to Leonard.
Are you more motivated by promises or by threats? What about the people around you? Communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet says that you can figure out whether someone is wired for positive or negative motivation. Then, you can use that information to influence and incentivize them. Continue reading to learn how to leverage positive and negative motivation in others—and yourself.
How well do you understand your feelings? Do you know the context of your emotions? Emotional agility is the ability to view events and emotions objectively and respond deliberately to them. According to clinical psychologist Susan David, emotional agility begins with a process of labeling your emotions. Continue reading to understand the two key aspects of labeling your emotions and how to engage in this constructive practice.
Should you practice fasting? What must you take into consideration? What are the pros and cons? According to Peter Attia, fasting can be good for you—but, it’s usually not advisable. You can miss out on important nutrition when you fast. So, unless you suffer from metabolic dysfunction and need to take drastic measures to avoid chronic disease, steer clear from fasting. Keep reading to learn more about Attia’s argument and to hear a counterargument from kidney specialist Jason Fung.