The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the difference between guilt and shame? Where do shame and guilt stem from? According to Brené Brown, shame and guilt are similar emotions. Brown says that shame is feeling inadequate and unworthy as a person, while guilt is feeling bad for something we’ve done rather than for who we are. Here’s how Brené Brown explains shame and guilt.
What do you do when things don’t go your way? Do you blame external circumstances, or do you take it on your own account? What does it mean to take responsibility for your life? Taking responsibility, Nathaniel Branden says, means taking ownership of your life, behavior, and well-being. In other words, you stop the external factors for your misfortunes—you take responsibility where it’s due. Keep reading to learn what taking responsibility is, why it matters, and how you can facilitate it by completing practical exercises.
What makes a person evil? Is it easy to become evil? The Lucifer Effect dives into the circumstantial factors that Philip Zimbardo believes can influence anyone to do evil. These factors include identity cues, social pressures, and losing awareness of individuality. Keep reading to learn what makes someone evil.
What is decision hygiene? How can following the decision hygiene principles help you filter out noise and bias and make the best choices? The term “decision hygiene” comes from the book Noise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein. The book focuses on how to improve the judgments that affect some of the most important aspects of our lives, including our justice system, medical care, education, and business decisions. Here’s how to practice good decision hygiene, according to Noise.
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Can you feel empathy and sympathy at the same time? According to Brené Brown, empathy vs. sympathy is an important distinction. Empathy is the ability to relate to how the other person feels, while sympathy is feeling bad for them, but failing to relate to them emotionally. Keep reading to learn about the difference between empathy vs. sympathy, according to Brené Brown.
What does it mean to act with integrity? Why is it important to align your actions with your values? What does acting with integrity entail in practice? When you act with integrity, your behavior reflects your values. You may not choose the perfect option every time, but you strive to find and follow the option that best reflects your values. If your values point to opposing behaviors, you weigh your options and select what seems best. Keep reading to learn why integrity matters and how to act with integrity.
Are you looking for The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem exercises? How can you put the book’s lessons into practice? In his book The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, psychotherapist and self-esteem expert Nathaniel Branden describes what he believes are the key components of self-esteem: 1) Living With Awareness, 2) Accepting Yourself, 3) Taking Responsibility, 4) Asserting Yourself, and 5) Living Intentionally. He explains how each pillar contributes to self-esteem and provides practical strategies for improving your self-esteem by practicing the six pillars or categories of behavior. Here are some reflection prompts and exercises that will help you consider the book’s lessons
What’s the difference between acute vs. chronic stress? Which type of stress is more harmful to your body? There are two different types of stress: acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is induced by short-term challenges such as exercise, fasting, and exposure to hot/cold temperatures. Chronic stress occurs when you are exposed to a high-stress situation or stimuli for a long time, which can have adverse health consequences because it skews up your body’s equilibrium. Keep reading to learn about the effects of acute vs. chronic stress.
What is social pressure? What are the two types of social pressure? Social pressure is the influence exerted on an individual or group by another individual or group. In The Lucifer Effect, psychologist Philip Zimbardo defines the two types of social pressure that influence someone to be evil: group pressure and authoritative pressure. Keep reading to learn about the two types of social pressures.
We often say we’re happy or sad, but what exactly is happiness? And what exactly is sadness? According to Brené Brown, happiness and sadness lie at the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. As basic emotions, they serve as the foundation of numerous others (e.g. happiness for joy and gratitude, and sadness—for hopelessness). Here’s how Brené Brown explains happiness and sadness.