The World's Best Book Summaries
What are Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals? How can you use these appeals to successfully persuade an audience? Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals are pathos, logos, ethos, and kairos. According to René Rodriguez in Amplify Your Influence, using all of these in a presentation is a surefire way to keep your audience engaged with your ideas. Let’s look at how you can use these techniques to be the most persuasive speaker around.
Do you tend to keep doing the same thing without a good reason for it? Which work tasks do you truly enjoy? What skills does your future self have? In Think Big, behavioral science expert Grace Lordan addresses the fact that many people fail to transform their lives despite a desire to do so. She acknowledges that achieving big goals takes a few years and provides practical advice for making the journey toward your ideal self. Read more to discover how to figure out who you want to be—the first step on that journey.
Why is it important to understand consumer expectations? How can it drive product innovation and success? In today’s competitive business landscape, understanding what motivates consumers is paramount to achieving success. According to Clayton Christensen’s book Competing Against Luck, by aligning products with consumer expectations, companies can accurately predict their success in the market. Keep reading to learn how to truly understand consumer expectations, according to Christensen.
What’s the impact of the virtual economy on commerce? To what extent have digital currencies replaced fiat currencies? In the 1990s, James Davidson and William Rees-Mogg predicted that the virtual economy would overtake physical economies. In their book The Sovereign Individual, they discuss what that would mean for the economy as a whole and for civilization in general. Keep reading to learn Davidson and Rees-Mogg’s predictions about the virtual economy and, in retrospect, see how close they got.
Why is it so hard to find a job these days? How has technology affected the modern workforce? It used to be fairly simple to get a job, build a career, and then retire with little to no issues. But nowadays, it can be difficult just to find an entry-level job, even if you have the experience and education for it. It’s because of two reasons: technology and globalization. Below we’ll look at why job-searching is a tough chore to get through, and how you can build a career today.
Do your managers efficiently and consistently manage your business’s daily operations? Or, do operational tasks constantly distract you from leading your business? If you have a successful business and want to keep it hitting on all cylinders, you need effective systems. A well-structured management team can oversee these systems, ensure smooth operations, and optimize your business over the long haul. That frees you up to focus on leadership and business growth. Read more to learn how to set up an effective management team structure.
How does mindfulness improve romantic relationships? What are the advantages of mindfulness? David Richo’s relationship advice from How to Be an Adult in Relationships is rooted in the Buddhist concept of mindfulness, the practice of witnessing the present without evaluating, judging, or trying to influence it. When you’re mindful, you simply notice what you’re actually experiencing right now. To learn more about how you can benefit from practicing mindfulness, keep reading.
How do negative emotions affect procrastination? How can you use emotional regulation to overcome procrastination? In The Procrastination Cure, Damon Zahariades considers possible psychological sources of procrastination. He presents several models of how a task that stirs up strong emotions or triggers negative thoughts can lead you to procrastinate. Keep reading to learn about the psychological roots of procrastination, emotional regulation’s role in defeating the habit, and how negative self-esteem stalls tasks.
What’s the best way to remember what you learn? How can you plan for interruptions when you study? What are some tips for effective note-taking? Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything by Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe is a user-friendly guide to improving your approach to learning. Whether you’re a student in school or picking up a new skill, you can become a more effective learner. Continue reading for an overview of this practical book.
What was Rousseau’s view of human nature? How did his philosophy find its way into the mainstream? In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the traditional Christian view of innate sinfulness began to give way to a new school of thought in the West. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, human nature is essentially good. This philosophy took hold in Western thought, and it ultimately transformed society. Read more to learn about Rousseau’s view of human nature, morality, and the self.