The World's Best Book Summaries
Are self-help books truly helpful? What common theme has problems of its own? If you’ve explored self-help advice, you’ve likely come across the belief that thinking positively is the only way to achieve true happiness and success. According to Oliver Burkeman, this widely accepted belief has three downsides that impede happiness. Continue reading to learn about these drawbacks of positive thinking.
Why did Britney Spears shave her head? How did her divorce from Kevin Federline lead to this event? In 2007, Britney Spears shocked the world by shaving her head. Years later, she reveals in her memoir, The Woman in Me, the true reason why she changed her image, and it’s all due to her love for her children. Continue reading to learn more about this decision that changed Spears’s image forever.
How has real estate speculation influenced the US housing market? What does it mean to form a speculative bubble? Real estate speculation drove unparalleled growth in the US housing market from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, but since this growth was based on speculation, it was unsustainable. Learning how this happens can help you avoid getting investments caught in a speculative bubble. Keep reading to discover how speculative bubbles have formed in the US housing market in the past.
Which developed nation has the most poverty? What effect does poverty have on people? Which comes first: economic security or better choices? In Poverty, by America, Matthew Desmond argues that poverty in the US persists because it benefits many Americans to keep a share of their fellow Americans in a state of want. He issues a call to arms to readers to examine their role in benefiting from and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Read more for several Poverty, by America quotes that provide insights into the book’s ideas.
Do you ever lose track of time when you’re working? What type of tasks engross you? Grace Beverley brings productivity and self-care together in her book Working Hard, Hardly Working. She says that flow makes productivity a form of self-care because the feeling of being engrossed in a task is joyful and satisfying. Read more to learn why a flow state at work is beneficial and how to achieve it.
Do you have a technology addiction? Are you ready to tackle it? Compulsively checking your Instagram feed may seem like a far cry from drug addiction, but the two are more closely related than you might think. The good news is that you can meet your technology addiction head-on by answering questions that get to the root of the issue and provide a path forward. Continue reading for several exercises designed for personal use or as part of a technology addiction group discussion.
If you want to learn a new skill, how can you make it easier for yourself? Should you aim for proficiency or mastery? Josh Kaufman says you can gain competency in a skill with just 20 hours of practice. But, you must make the road as smooth as possible first. Before you start practicing a new skill, he recommends that you think ahead and prepare for potential obstacles that might affect the quality of your practice. Let’s look at a few common obstacles to learning a new skill and how to avoid them.
What is the best team-building advice? As a manager, how can you encourage teamwork? Good team-building advice includes cultivating a shared team identity and encouraging self-sacrifice for the good of the team. By learning to encourage team values, you can make your team much more effective. Continue reading to discover the best ways to encourage teamwork.
What’s the difference between your experiences and your perceptions of them? What’s a simple way to mitigate disappointment? It might seem counterintuitive but, if you want to find true happiness, you must accept your emotions—all of them. That’s the view of Oliver Burkeman, who provides three methods for embracing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read more to understand Burkeman’s argument and techniques that can put you on the road to happiness.
What’s community lore? What are the three types of lore that community members can share with one another? Lore is a collection of traditions and knowledge that are typically passed through stories. Sharing community lore can enhance the connection between members of a community by helping them understand each other and their morals better. Learn more about the types of lore your community can share.