The World's Best Book Summaries
How long does it take to become good at something? How much practice does it take? It takes about ten years of intentional practice to become excellent at something, but you can become better at something right away. In fact, any amount of practice is beneficial. Read for more on why practice can have such an immediate impact and how long you need to stick with something to become great.
What is the King archetype? How does it explain the nature of the masculine psyche? The King archetype is a way to think about the rational mind, especially in masculine people. Your internal King can be healthy or unhealthy depending on how you develop it. Read on to learn more about this archetype and how you can apply it to your understanding of yourself.
What’s wrong with focusing on goals? Are you comfortable with established ways of doing things? John C. Maxwell argues that leaders must make an active effort to grow and improve instead of just treating growth as a natural result of their experiences. You can do this by pursuing growth instead of achievement and by innovating instead of sticking to tradition. Keep reading for Maxwell’s advice on leading with a growth mindset.
To find long-lasting happiness, what should you actually do? What changes should you make in your life? Psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky asserts that positive thoughts and behaviors are the happiness factors you can control. She says that you can encourage this positivity by practicing happiness activities across three life areas: mental and physical health, relationships, and purpose. Read more to learn nine of Sonja Lyubomirsky’s happiness activities from her book The How of Happiness.
How can you develop your weaknesses into strengths? What does it take to strengthen your skills? Improving weaknesses and developing strengths requires not only seeing where you’re doing well but also being able to self-criticize and find weak points that you can develop into strengths. You can do this with a simple four-step process. Learn how to walk through this process and get better at anything.
Is there a person who always lies to you? How can you mess up a liar’s story? Patrick King says that the best way you can get another person to reveal a lie is to stress their brain. Lying is mentally taxing, and if a liar is forced to devote more mental resources to their lie than they planned, they’re more likely to slip up. Take a look at how to expose a liar for who they really are.
What’s the complementarian view of scripture? Does it represent “soft patriarchy” in Christianity? Professor of history and gender studies Kristin Du Mez writes that, in the early and mid-20th century, evangelical Christians shifted toward a militant view of masculinity. Then, a lack of a US military opponent in the ’90s caused this conception to soften. Continue reading to understand Du Mez’s perspective on “soft patriarchy” within evangelicalism.
Where did the APEC meeting (2023) take place? What national leaders did President Biden meet with? What signal might this send to China? President Biden’s recent meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in San Francisco holds significant implications for US-Mexico relations. The meeting coincided with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Continue reading for a summary of this podcast episode from NPR News Now.
What types of challenges has Elon Musk faced in his career? How does he feel about the negative image of him that the public has created? Elon Musk is one of the most famous people in the world for his controversial takes and the tech companies he’s founded. However, he didn’t gain his fame and fortune without a few obstacles. Let’s look at Elon Musk’s challenges in his life and career, as discussed in the Lex Fridman Podcast.
How does your mental health affect your thinking? What kind of friends are particularly good for your health? Psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen takes a holistic approach to brain health. According to Dr. Amen, mental health—including your thought patterns, social connections, and spiritual beliefs and practices—affects your brain’s well-being. Keep reading to take a closer look at how your mental health impacts your brain health.