The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you want to free your mind from psychological biases? Is it possible to be 100% free from bias? While it’s not possible to be totally free from bias, you can actively work to reduce it with study and practice. As a result of overcoming your biases, you will view the world more objectively, make better decisions, and become less prone to anxiety fueled by biased thinking. Keep reading to learn how to overcome cognitive biases.
Do you get distracted a lot? How do distractions hinder your performance? Getting distracted not only wastes your valuable time but also makes it more difficult to resume focus. Attention research has shown that employees focus on a project for 11 minutes before being interrupted, and on average it takes them 25 minutes to refocus. Here are some tips for managing distractions and preventing them from stealing your focus.
Is fear getting in the way of you living your best life? How can you be brave and face your fears? Facing your fears is a rite of passage in life. No matter what age we are, we’re all scared of something, which means we’re constantly battling fears. Take initiative with your life and learn how to face your fears with these life-changing tips.
What are value-based goals? How do you connect your goals and values? According to Ryan A. Bush, the author of Designing the Mind, your goals should be informed by your values. Pursuing value-based goals (instead of desire-based goals) will bring you fulfillment and success. Keep reading to learn how to set value-based goals, according to Bush.
Do you get emotional when faced with adversity? How do you build emotional resilience? When we’re in difficult situations, it can be hard to put on a brave face. Luckily, Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama’s book The Book of Joy can teach you how to control negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and envy. Find out how to build emotional resilience and keep a calm state of mind.
Are you dependent on others? How can you be more independent and live freely? It’s great to have other people in your life who can help you, but there’s nothing more liberating than being able to do things by yourself. No matter if it’s at work, at home, or in a romantic relationship, having independence is a confidence booster. Here’s how to be more independent and take life into your own hands.
Has someone ever told you to live without regrets? Did you know this philosophy actually prevents you from living your best life? The philosophy of “no regrets” may sound liberating, but in reality, it ignores the benefits of regret. In his book The Power of Regret, Daniel Pink counteracts the “no regrets” philosophy with four arguments that defend regret. Here’s why you shouldn’t try to live without regrets.
Do you struggle to manage your priorities? What are some criteria you can do to identify the most important tasks on your to-do list? Managing priorities is the key to being meaningfully productive. When you’re able to identify and tackle the highest priority tasks first, you’ll progress a lot faster. However, it’s not always easy to identify what is most important from your to-do list. Productivity expert Chris Bailey gives some tips on how to identify the most significant, highest-impact tasks.
Why is it so hard to break bad habits? How can you break the tendency to engage in habitual behaviors that sabotage your success? Bad habits tend to be the behaviors that make us feel good in the short term. Because we seek instant gratification over long-term results, bad habits often seem more appealing than many good habits that require us to put in more work. Here are two strategies for breaking bad habits and forming beneficial habits in their stead.
Do you overreact to criticism or uncomfortable situations? How can you be less sensitive? Sensitivity can show that you’re in touch with your emotions, which is a good thing. On the other hand, being overly sensitive can prevent you from engaging in meaningful social interactions. Get out of your own way and learn how to be less sensitive with our methods.