The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you easily distracted at work? What steps can you take to reduce your distractions? In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport provides steps on how to create a deep work environment. The steps include creating a designated workspace, getting rid of distractions such as social media, training your focus, and making the most of your focused time. Keep reading to learn how to curb your distractions at work.
Do you often find yourself feeling agitated and restless? Do you get worked up over trivialities? Do you wish you could just switch off your mind sometimes so you could give at least a minute of rest? We often make life more difficult for ourselves by getting agitated and worked up about situations. Vincent Norman Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, calls this “fuming and fretting.” To gain power and live life to the fullest, we have to stop all this fuming and fretting. Here is how to cope with agitation and restlessness, according to Peale.
What role does body language play in sales? How can focusing on your gestures, eye contact, stance, etc. help you close more deals? In sales, body language is a crucial element. At least half of the communication that happens during a sale is nonverbal, so instead of hoping that you’re making a good impression, you should practice effective forms of nonverbal communication. Here’s how to increase sales using body language.
According to the authors of How to Read a Book, what is good reading? Why is it important to read for comprehension rather than passively? In their book, Adler and Van Doren assert that good reading is active rather than passive. They talk about the importance of reading for comprehension rather than just grasping the surface level and they believe that the best books challenge you and force you to grow. Continue below to learn what good reading is, according to Adler and Van Doren.
What is the effect of placebo antidepressants on depression? What is the harm in using placebo drugs to treat depression? Placebo antidepressants work by stimulating the drug user’s belief in the power of the treatment to cure depression. The drug itself cannot cure depression, it is the placebo effect of using the drug that instigates improvement in the patient. The harm comes from the side effects of antidepressants which include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and increased risk of diabetes. Read on to learn more about the effect of placebo antidepressants.
Do you know how to become an expert at something? What commitment is needed? To become an expert, you must invest a great amount of time. That time must be focused on the right thing for it to be productive. You also need to have a purposeful approach, seeking new and better ways to do what you’re doing. Keep reading to learn how to become an expert.
What is trigger marketing? How can you use triggers to get people talking about your product? Trigger marketing uses reminders or associations to make customers remember your product. This could take the form of a popular slogan, event, an action, or even a smell. Having effective marketing triggers will remind potential customers about your product to increase the likelihood they will buy it. Keep reading to learn more about trigger marketing.
Have you ever wondered how an economy works—how millions of people can buy and sell goods and services without a master coordinator? Why do we use money, rather than bartering our services with each other? Why do some nations prosper, while others stay poor despite vast natural resources? In his book Basic Economics, Stanford economist Thomas Sowell answers all of these questions and more. Containing no math, he instead explains intuitive principles that will help you understand how market transactions work and the effect of policies on the economy. Below is a brief overview of Basic Economics: A Citizen’s Guide
What is gamification marketing? How can you apply game mechanics to your product or service to increase engagement? Gamification marketing involves using game mechanics to give customers a sense of accomplishment. For example, a company might introduce a reward system or competition related to its product. Doing this increases engagement and word of mouth as people generally like to talk about their accomplishments. Keep reading to find out more about gamification marketing.
What does it mean to live authentically? Why is vulnerability a large part of authentic living? What are some common barriers to authentic living? In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown says that the first step in living Wholeheartedly is to practice living authentically. However, this can be difficult when society’s expectations don’t line up with your authentic self. Here’s Brené Brown’s advice on how to live authentically in a judgemental world.