The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you need to know how to ace tests? What is the key to getting a good grade on a test? If you want to get the highest grade possible on a test, you’ll have to study for it. Having a consistent study schedule is essential for taking a test—especially if it’s a big part of your grade. Check out Cal Newport’s tips for acing tests from his book How to Become a Straight-A Student.
What is confirmation bias? How does confirmation bias skew your decision-making? Confirmation bias is the psychological term for our tendency to search for and favor information that underscores our existing beliefs. In decision-making, confirmation bias causes us to ignore information that supports our non-preferred options, even if those options are better. Here are some strategies for overcoming the pull of confirmation bias in decision-making.
Does everyone have trauma from childhood? How can suppressed emotions from your childhood affect your adult relationships? The source of your suffering may lie hidden in your unconscious, where traumas from your past—and your family’s past—are stopping you from being truly happy and free. Childhood trauma can reverberate throughout your entire life, preventing you from forming healthy relationships in adulthood. Surviving childhood trauma is a lifelong journey, but some deep traumas may never heal fully. Keep reading to learn about the roots of childhood trauma, how it manifests itself in adulthood, and the steps you can take towards healing.
What is second-order thinking? How can it help you make better decisions? Because we live and act within large, interconnected systems—such as our workplaces or professional communities—our actions have consequences that ripple outward. Since anything you do has downstream effects, you should consider the immediate and secondary effects of any choice. Read more to learn how to use second-order thinking to everyone’s advantage.
How can poetry explain having a bad body image? What did Rupi Kaur’s negative self-image teach her? As she explores the struggle of having a bad body image, Rupi Kaur’s poetry in her book, The Sun and Her Flowers, expresses feelings of depression, envy, and longing. Kaur’s poetry gives intimate details of how women, especially women of color, come to terms with negative body image. Keep reading to learn about Rupi Kaur’s experience of having a bad body image, expressed through poetry.
What is artistic intent? What should be the purpose behind your artwork? In The Practice, Seth Godin says that you need a purpose behind your artwork. Artistic intent should involve what and who you’re making work for. Here’s how to establish your artistic intent to become a better artist.
How do you study for humanities vs. STEM courses? Why do you have to study differently for each? According to Cal Newport in How to Become a Straight-A Student, your studying techniques need to be different for humanities and STEM courses. In addition, you’ll need to study as much as you can for both. Learn how to study for humanities vs. STEM courses below.
Do you base your decisions on emotions or facts? Why is objectivity important in decision-making? When we make decisions, we’re prone to confirmation bias—seeking information that confirms our existing beliefs and biases. This prevents us from making credible predictions by distorting how we interpret information, leading to suboptimal decisions. Here are two simple rules for objective decision-making.
What are your circles of competence? How can you identify them? What should you do if you need to work outside of them? Shane Parrish and Rhiannon Beaubien explain a simple model for pinpointing where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Knowing whether you’re in a circle of competence allows you to avoid blunders and make better decisions. This helps you learn, grow, and succeed more in life and work. Keep reading to learn how to identify your circles of competence, what to do if you find yourself outside of one, and how to develop a new one.
Who is your art’s audience? Should you make work for yourself or for other people? The Practice by Seth Godin claims that finding your art’s purpose involves figuring out who the work is for. Maybe your art is just for yourself, or maybe it’s for other people who might enjoy your work. Read below to decide who you should make art for.