The World's Best Book Summaries
What’s first-principles thinking? How can it help you think for yourself and more effectively? In The Great Mental Models Volume 1, Shane Parrish and Rhiannon Beaubien discuss how and why to think with mental models. Thinking from first principles is one of their foundational models. Read more to learn what first-principles thinking is and how to apply it in your own life.
What are Rupi Kaur’s poems in The Sun and Her Flowers about? What are the key lessons and takeaways from the poems? Rupi Kaur’s The Sun and Her Flowers is a book of poems describing her life experiences and what she learned from making it through tough times. Some of the most important lessons Kaur learned were how to appreciate the positives and criticize the negatives in her life. Keep reading for an overview of the life lessons from Rupi Kaur’s poems in The Sun and Her Flowers.
What are some common signs of procrastination? What does procrastination look like for you? Many people struggle with procrastination, but it manifests differently for everyone. Paradoxically, procrastination may even look like productivity: You may be busy doing tasks, yet putting off the one task that’s most important. Here are common signs of procrastination so that you can recognize it in your own life.
Do you have a big exam coming up? Do you need advice on how to prepare for tests? In How to Become a Straight-A Student, Cal Newport presents a step-by-step system for ensuring you get the best grades possible on any exam. Plus, he gives tips on how to take tests efficiently. Continue reading for tips on studying for tests.
What are the benefits of letting go of your anger? How can letting go of anger protect your body from illness? In her book, How Emotions Are Made, neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett studied how humans create and experience emotions. Based on Barrett’s findings, letting go of your anger might be the healthiest thing you can do—physically and mentally. Read on to learn why Barrett says letting go of your anger protects you from illness.
Is it better to limit or expand your options when making decisions? What are the dangers of binary decision-making? When it comes to decision-making, we tend to come up with only two options. Thinking in binary terms may be less cognitively taxing, but it limits your options and clouds your judgment. Here are some strategies for overcoming binary decision-making.
What is mindfulness, according to Buddhism? How can using Buddhism and the concept of mindfulness help to manage your emotions? The Buddhist concept of mindfulness has gained popularity recently thanks to its healing effects on your body and mind. In her book, How Emotions Are Made, psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett explains why learning to use mindfulness in your daily life helps to relieve stress and balance your mood. Keep reading to learn about Buddhism and mindfulness, according to Barrett’s findings.
How can reading help you fight your way out of depression? What are some of the best books for depression that can help you get out of a slump? When you’re depressed, reading books may be the last thing on your mind. But reading can have a substantial impact on your emotional health by exposing you to new ways of thinking and healing opportunities available to you. Below is our roundup of the best books for depression to help you heal and cultivate a positive outlook.
What was Martin Seligman’s major contribution to psychology? What is the psychology of helplessness? How can you know if you’ve learned helplessness? Psychologist Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory has changed how we understand pessimism and optimism. Perhaps most importantly, Seligman’s theory helps to explain a leading cause of depression and how to treat it by unlearning helplessness. Read on to learn about Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory and why it can lead to depression.
What is an underground fungal network? What are the two main functions of this network? In Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard explains that trees share information and nutrients through an underground fungal network. Simard’s research has led to a shift in thinking about ecological relationships. Check out more about trees’ unique network that helps them flourish.