The World's Best Book Summaries
Why invest in index funds over mutual funds? Could mutual funds beat the market in the long run? Only a tiny fraction of actively managed mutual funds will outperform index funds in the long run. This is because financial assets tend to converge to the average price over time—a statistical tendency called “reversion to the mean.” Here’s what reversion to the mean means for mutual fund investors.
Do you want to shed your old personality and become a new person? How can you break free from your old ways and begin to think and act in alignment with the vision of the person you want to be? According to Joe Dispenza, our brains have the capacity for neuroplasticity. This means that you have the power to totally rewire your personality and become a whole new person. To do that, you have to ingrain new patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. With this in mind, here’s how to become a new person, according to Joe Dispenza.
How can you keep teams from getting overwhelmed? What’s the “right” amount of work? In Team Topologies, Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais show you how to set up software development teams to work as efficiently as possible. Basing their approach on Conway’s Law, they recommend that you assign teams the right amount of work. Continue reading to learn two strategies for team workload management.
Do you want a better understanding of why things are the way they are? How can you intentionally ignore unwanted circumstances? Vadim Zeland claims that self-observation has two major benefits. First, it helps you understand why you’re experiencing your version of reality instead of the version of reality that you want. Second, it breaks the feedback loop that perpetuates your current version of reality. Read more to learn how observing your thoughts and emotions helps you weaken unwanted circumstances and reclaim your emotional energy.
What makes a good leader? What kind of leaders do modern organizations need? A good leader isn’t defined by the title. Ultimately, leadership in the workplace is all about dealing with people. And dealing with people, first and foremost, requires soft skills—attributes like empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence. With this in mind, here are three leadership qualities modern workplaces need.
Do you know how much money you’re actually spending? Or does your end-of-the-month bank balance come as a surprise? Why is it important to budget your expenses? Many people don’t budget their expenses: They just spend whatever is left after all their essential bills (e.g. rent and utilities) have been paid off. This is because creating a budgeting strategy that works for you is time-consuming, work-intensive, and complicated. Here are several budgeting strategies so you can either choose one that works for you or use them as an inspiration to create your own.
Why is asking questions important in communication? How can you ask better questions? According to leadership expert Michael Bungay Stanier, asking questions is important in all forms of communication because it helps you to avoid the advice-giving trap. In his book The Advice Trap, he explains the benefits of asking questions versus the drawbacks of offering suggestions. Read on to learn why asking questions is important, including Stanier’s tips for asking better questions.
Are you capable of delaying gratification? How well do you push through to reach your goals? Is it possible to train yourself to be self-disciplined? In The Power of Discipline, Daniel Walter explores what self-discipline is and why people struggle with it. He explains the biological tendencies that hinder the ability to self-discipline and how to strengthen self-discipline so you can achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Continue reading for an overview of this insightful and practical book.
What is discipline in life? Why does it matter? Why do we often find it a struggle? Almost everyone has experienced situations where, despite knowing what they should do, they’re compelled by an inner voice to do something easier or more enjoyable. Daniel Walter explains that, if you allow these temptations to dictate your actions, you’ll never reach your full potential. Continue reading to learn what discipline is and the reasons why we struggle with it.
What’s a myth? How is a myth made and used? Are myths dangerous? According to 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes, myth is all around us. In Mythologies, he discusses the process of mythmaking. He identifies the basic components of myth and explains what function they have in society. He also warns that myths can pose certain dangers. Continue reading to understand Barthes’s take on myth.