The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the ideal life for you? How do you decide what you want your life to look like? The ideal life is different for everyone, so it’s your job to figure out what it looks like. If you’re having trouble picturing it, follow these steps from Vishen Lakhiani’s book The Buddha and the Badass. Let’s dive deep into the three steps Lakhiani recommends.
Why is population decline a problem in the U.S., China, Europe, and other global powers? What’s causing birth rates to fall? For the first time in 50 years, deaths in China outnumbered births. Experts argue that population decline is a problem in the U.S., Europe, and other wealthy nations, placing them on the same crash course as China if they don’t figure out a way to turn things around quickly. Read on to learn why population decline is a problem worldwide and if our population panic is warranted.
What should you eat (or not eat) if you’re fighting inflammation? What’s a good substitute for trans fats? Is intermittent fasting a good idea? The food you eat directly impacts the amount of inflammation in your body. Inflammation damages cells and overloads your mitochondria, resulting in fewer antioxidants and more free radicals in your body. Ultimately, this leads to disease and makes you age faster. Keep reading to discover a practical anti-inflammatory diet for beginners.
Are you happy at your job? What should you do when you hate your job, but you can’t quit? Your job satisfaction inevitably affects the rest of your life: If you like your job, you’ll have more energy to enjoy your personal life. If you hate your job, your dissatisfaction will lead to lower energy throughout the rest of the week. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of doing work they love: Many people hate their jobs but feel powerless in changing the situation. Here’s what to do when you hate your job.
Why do we make bad decisions? More importantly, how can we learn from our mistakes to make better decisions in the future? Our lives are full of big decisions, yet our minds are wired to make bad ones. Sometimes our decisions turn against us because of bad luck. Most of the time, however, our biases and illogical ways of thinking steer us toward making bad decisions. Here’s a look at the most common logical fallacies that affect our ability to make good decisions.
What are the disadvantages of standardization? What are some examples of the negative effects of standardization? According to Matthew Syed, the disadvantages of standardization are best understood in the context of homogeneity versus diversity. In Rebel Ideas, he argues that standardization forces us to conform to an average while diversity fosters collective intelligence. Read on to learn about the disadvantages of standardization, according to two examples from Syed.
Why is it so hard to make decisions? What are some ways you can narrow down your options to make it easier to arrive at an optimal choice? Decision-making is difficult because nobody has access to perfectly accurate, comprehensive sources of information. Rather, our information is often messy and flawed, so we can’t always predict how our decisions will pan out. That said, there are strategies and tips that can help you arrive at the most optimal decision given the information you do have. Here are some tips on how to make a difficult decision.
What is the fresh start effect? How can you use the fresh start effect to your benefit? The fresh start effect is the human tendency toward action during special occasions or temporal landmarks. Just as people feel more optimistic and capable at the start of a day/week/year, they also feel more optimistic and capable when they’re at the beginning of a project or a new job. Keep reading to learn about the fresh start effect and how you can use it to your advantage.
How does one navigate the world as a highly sensitive person? What are some tips a highly sensitive person can take on board? The world wasn’t built with HSPs in mind. Our modern environment is highly stimulating, and HSPs often struggle to meet society’s expectations for socializing, working, and recreation, all of which can lead to overstimulation. Elaine Aron, a psychologist, and an HSP herself, provides advice on how to meet these expectations while still protecting your sensitive self.
Are you intentional about the way you use your time? Why does Daniel Pink say timing is so important? Time is the unspoken (and often underestimated) force that runs our lives. We set alarms, schedule flights, celebrate annual holidays, and mark our aging year to year. Many of these conventions of time have been invented by humans as a way to organize our lives. Keep reading to learn about the importance of timing, according to Daniel Pink.