Self-Improvement Archives

Programming Productivity: 3 Useful Techniques to Know

Are you struggling to juggle all your projects and keep up with clients’ deadlines? How do you evaluate whether a programming project is worth your time? In programming, productivity and time management are some of the most important soft skills you can develop. In his book The Clean Coder, Robert C. Martin gives some valuable time-tested advice on how to make the best use of your time as a programmer. Here are three programming productivity techniques you need if you are a programmer.

The Engineering Design Process: 4 Everyday Benefits

What is the engineering design process? How can you apply it to your life? The engineering design process can help you formulate different approaches to everyday dilemmas. It prompts you to evaluate which approach is likely to see the greatest success. The process aids in creative problem solving and decision making. Read more to learn about the engineering design process and its practical applications.

Moral Licensing: When “Rewards” Are Sabotage

Do you ever reward yourself with a snack when you’ve done well on your diet? Why do people tend to think that being “good” gives us moral permission to be “bad”? Moral licensing is when people tell themselves they deserve an indulgent treat because they’ve been good. However, much of the time the “reward” is actually counterintuitive to the person’s goal. Here is why moral licensing goes against self-control.

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss: Book Overview

Is Tim Ferriss’s book Tools of Titans about? What do you think highly successful people—those who are at the top of their game—do differently? In Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss shares the habits and beliefs of 101 high-performing people, including tech investors, entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers. The premise of the book is that if you emulate the habits and beliefs of people who succeed the way you want to succeed, you too can be successful. In this brief overview of Tools of Titans, we’ve pulled out the main themes across all the people Ferriss interviewed.

Elementary Reading: Basic Comprehension Skills

What is the first level of reading from How to Read a Book? Why do many adults still read at an elementary reading level? In How to Read a Book, Mortimer Adler describes elementary reading as the most basic form of reading. Unfortunately, once you’re taught how to read as a child, you are rarely taught how to read better. This leaves many adults in the elementary reading stage. Here’s what it means to read at the elementary reading level.

Make Better Decisions With Probabilistic Thinking

How are your decision-making skills? Do you know what probabilistic thinking is—and how it can help you make better decisions? An important element of productivity is the ability to make better decisions. At its root is the ability to predict the future with some accuracy. Probabilistic thinking is one way to do this. Read more to learn how you can make better decisions using probabilistic thinking.

Willpower Traps: Stop Giving in to Temptation

Do you find yourself giving in to temptation too easily? What are the four traps that undermine willpower? There are four main traps that undermine willpower: the “I’m-making-progress” trap, the too-much optimism trap, the halo trap, and the moral licensing trap. Learn about the four types of willpower traps and how to stop giving in to temptation.

How to Examine a Book’s Structure: X-Ray Technique

Why should you examine a book’s structure? How can x-raying and categorizing a book help you level up your reading skills? According to Mortimer Adler in How to Read a Book, examining a book’s structure is part of inspectional reading. Adler says that if you can’t articulate the book in one sentence and make an outline of the major points, then you can determine that a book is poorly written. Continue reading for more of Adler’s tips on how to examine a book.

Increase Focus by Training Yourself With Mental Models

Would you like to increase focus and stop getting derailed by distractions? Have you tried mental models? You can learn how to be more focused by using mental models: narratives that you create in your mind. You might already be doing this—but not realizing how you can leverage this technique. You actually can train yourself to increase focus. Read on to learn how to be more focused by using mental models.

Tim Ferriss Reveals the 3 Traits of Successful People

What does it really take to become successful? What are some of the most common traits that all successful people share? If you really want to bring success into your life, you should act accordingly and that means working both hard and smart. Most people aren’t cut out for that kind of dedication which is why most people aren’t successful. The good news is that you can cultivate these qualities through practice and dedication. Here are three traits that successful people have in common.