The World's Best Book Summaries
Why don’t people listen? If listening is so important and beneficial, then why aren’t people doing it? Everyone would agree that listening is a critical skill. But, many people aren’t stellar listeners. When you understand why people don’t listen, you’ll be in a better position to work around and perhaps even overcome the roadblocks. Continue reading to learn about common barriers to listening.
Do time-outs work for children? How effective are they at achieving your real goal? Is there a better way to reach that goal? Clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan considers time-outs an archaic discipline tactic. He recommends breaks instead. A break is similar to the classic idea of a time-out. But, the execution, and thus the results, are different. Keep reading to learn why time-outs don’t work and why breaks do.
How do you know whether something is true or not? Whether it’s good or bad? What does your level of consciousness have to do with it? Despite its title, Power vs. Force by David Hawkins is really about human consciousness. Hawkins discusses his theories for what consciousness is, how to measure it, how you can boost your consciousness, and what a higher consciousness can do for you. Continue reading for an overview of this book that could open you up to a new perspective.
What work do you admire? What if you could make your own version of it? How does reverse engineering enhance creativity? Ron Friedman argues that doing great work isn’t just about being talented or working hard. It’s about learning from the greats in your field by reverse engineering their creations. He explains how to reverse engineer the work you love and make it your own. Read more to learn how reverse engineering works and how to make it work for you.
What’s the fastest way to reduce carbon emissions from energy use? Which causes more deaths—fossil fuels or nuclear power? Vaclav Smil argues that we need to reduce energy use in all areas—transportation, buildings, agriculture, and industry—in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Two primary ways to do so are by generating electricity from renewable sources and by using nuclear energy. Keep reading to understand Smil’s ideas on how to reduce carbon emissions in energy use and manufacturing.
How do cognitive biases affect your decision-making? What false stories in your head keep you from your goals? If you want to change your life, you must understand how to overcome the cognitive biases—the mental shortcuts that all humans take—that hinder you from achieving your goals. Grace Lordan shares four ways you can tackle cognitive biases head-on and get on with pursuing your dreams. Keep reading to learn how to overcome cognitive biases and become the person you want to be.
Can your body discern truth from lies? What happens when you rely on force rather than power? Despite its title, Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins is really about human consciousness: what it is, how to measure it, how you can boost your consciousness, and why you should. He discusses what he believes are links between your level of consciousness and your beliefs, behaviors, and emotions. Continue reading for several Power vs. Force quotes, along with some helpful context and explanation.
How can you show people that you’re listening? What puts them at ease with you and encourages them to speak frankly? Listening is critical for healthy relationships. It not only fosters effective communication, but it also shows people that you care. In You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy recommends finding responses during conversations that encourage the speaker to continue sharing with you. Keep reading to learn how to get people to open up to you by using specific nonverbal and verbal responses.
Why are routines important for children? How can you get kids to establish them and stick to them? Clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan suggests routines as an effective strategy for helping kids get things done. Setting up routines takes time and effort. But, his routine-building tips foster self-sufficiency and responsibility in kids so that, over time, kids do more and more. Continue reading to learn the importance of routines for children and how to make them a reality in your home.
Why does a good story need cause and effect? How much should you put into the beginning of your story? Why does your company need its own story? Everybody knows what a story is. But few of us really understand why stories work or how they can make us better at communicating. In Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results, Rob Biesenbach breaks a story down into its fundamental pieces. Read more to learn how you can use storytelling to make any message more engaging and compelling.