Ikigai & Kaizen by Anthony Raymond—Book Overview

A woman reading a book while sitting in a Japanese garden

Do you struggle to take action and make progress toward your goals? How can you overcome the three most common obstacles to reaching your goals? In Ikigai & Kaizen, Anthony Raymond suggests that three obstacles contribute to this struggle—insufficient motivation, unawareness of self-sabotaging behaviors, and fear of taking action. He argues that you can overcome these obstacles by integrating three Japanese strategies: ikigai, hansei, and kaizen. Continue reading for an overview of Ikigai & Kaizen and learn how to reach your goals.

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki: Book Overview

A line drawing of a man on a couch reading a book in a minimalist living room

Do you have a hard time getting rid of things? How might these things be holding you back from happiness? In the book Goodbye, Things, Fumio Sasaki shares his story, arguing that you can be happier, freer, and more focused by eliminating clutter. He presents minimalism as more than simply an organizational strategy, but an entire approach to life that reshapes how you use your time and form relationships. Keep reading for an overview of the book, along with practical advice for choosing what to discard and how to overcome the challenges of letting things go.

Fumio Sasaki’s 4 Minimalism Tips (From Goodbye, Things)

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Do you want to be a minimalist but struggle to let go of things? How can you keep yourself from buying more stuff? In his book Goodbye, Things, minimalist Fumio Sasaki shares his recommendations for transitioning into a minimalist lifestyle. He explains that minimalism isn’t just about throwing things away; rather, it’s a complete mindset shift. Continue reading for Fumio Sasaki’s minimalism tips.

Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson—Book Overview & Lessons

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Do you feel heard in your relationship? Do most conversations devolve into fights? Are you almost ready to give up? When you’re in a struggling romantic relationship, you may feel like it’s impossible to fix. But clinical psychologist Sue Johnson says you don’t need to give up yet. In Hold Me Tight, she offers a roadmap for healing your relationship so you and your partner can communicate healthily, resolve conflicts, and grow close once again. Continue reading for an overview of Hold Me Tight, including actionable advice for repairing your relationship.

How to “Spark Joy” at Work: The KonMari Method

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Is your workspace cluttered? Does it make you feel anxious and stressed? In their book Joy at Work, tidying expert Marie Kondo and organizational psychologist Scott Sonenshein reveal how decluttering your workspace can dramatically boost your productivity and happiness. By teaching you to keep only what “sparks joy,” they help you reclaim meaning and control. Continue reading for decluttering tips that can help you spark joy at work.

The 3 Ds of Health Insurance, Explained by Jay Feinman

A man in a suit crossing his arms in the shape of an X to signify he is denying something

What are the three Ds of insurance? What do insurance companies gain by slowing down the payment process? How are these tactics exploitative? In his book Delay, Deny, Defend, legal scholar and insurance expert Jay Feinman argues that major US insurance companies are profit-seeking entities that systematically avoid paying legitimate claims. He explains the tactics they use, and how and why they often work. Continue reading to learn about the three Ds insurance strategy.

Irreplaceable by Pascal Bornet (Book Overview & Takeaways)

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How can you remain relevant in a future of AI? What human capabilities can’t AI replicate? How can you use AI to your advantage rather than your detriment? As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms our world, many of us wonder how to remain relevant in an automated future. In Irreplaceable, Pascal Bornet tackles this question. He explains that as AI spreads, our success will lie in learning to work with it—by augmenting our distinctively human strengths with this powerful technology.  Keep reading for an overview of Bornet’s book.

Chris Hayes’s 3 Tips for Reclaiming Attention (The Sirens’ Call)

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How many times per day do you reach for your phone? Do you want to regain power over your attention? In The Sirens’ Call, MSNBC host Chris Hayes demystifies the mechanics of an economy built to commandeer your attention. He reveals how our attention has become a commodity seized and controlled by media platforms and advertisers for their profit. Here is Chris Hayes’s advice for how individuals and society can reclaim their attention.

The Careless People Controversy & Facebook’s Reaction

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What controversy did the book Careless People cause? What was the public reception of the book? In Careless People, Sarah Wynn-Williams—Facebook’s Director of Global Policy from 2011-2017—offers an insider account of her time working alongside Facebook leaders. As expected, the tell-all book stirred up a mixture of reactions. Here’s a look at why the book caused discontent among some.

Delay, Deny, Defend by Jay Feinman—Book Overview

A stamp on a wooden desk that has the word "denied" on it

Have you had a valid health insurance claim denied? What can be done to restore the protection that insurance is meant to provide? In the book Delay, Deny, Defend, Jay Feinman argues that major US insurance companies have transformed from trusted protectors to profit-seeking entities that systematically avoid paying legitimate claims. He says major insurers abandoned their traditional protective role to maximize profits at the expense of their policyholders.  Continue reading below for an overview of this eye-opening book.