People Archives

Kissing Frogs: Dean Kamen’s Advice for Creative Breakthroughs

Do you tend to give up when you don’t reach a breakthrough right away? What’s the best way to find a solution without wasting a lot of time? In The Third Door, Alex Banayan shares the insights into success that he learned from interviewing inventor Dean Kamen. Kamen’s secret is kissing frogs—in other words, persistently trying lots of solutions. Kamen cautions, though, that this must be done strategically so that you don’t waste time. Keep reading to learn how kissing frogs might be your ticket to success as it has been for Kamen.

How Did Hamilton Die? The Duel That Shook America

Why did Aaron Burr challenge Alexander Hamilton to a duel? How did Hamilton die? Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton details the death and legacy of the political figure, including Aaron Burr’s involvement in his final moments. Hamilton’s death added to the end of Federalism. Keep reading to learn more about the events of Hamilton’s death and how people remembered him.

Focus Investing vs. Modern Portfolio: Warren Buffett’s Choice

What’s focus investing? How is it different from modern portfolio theory? Which approach does Warren Buffett take? According to Robert G. Hagstrom, Warren Buffett departs significantly from the mainstream when it comes to portfolio management. While most investors diversify their portfolios broadly to minimize volatility, Buffett focuses on a select handful of stocks to maximize his chances of above-market returns. Read more to learn about focus investing and why Buffett prefers it to the modern portfolio approach.

Alexander Hamilton: Early Life and Success as a Writer

What was Alexander Hamilton’s early life like? How did Hamilton go from an underprivileged boy in the Caribbean to a successful writer? Hamilton’s childhood is described in Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow as a rags-to-riches story. While some details about Hamilton’s parentage and upbringing are still unknown, there’s no denying that he had an extraordinary transformation. Keep reading to learn more about the early life of one of the most influential political figures in America.

Lady Gaga: Failure Can Be Turned Into Success

How to Deal With Failure at Work and Build Resilience

How did Lada Gaga respond to the criticism she received for her album ARTPOP? What can it teach you about failure and success? Many of the people whom Alex Banayan interviewed for his book The Third Door overcame difficult challenges in their lives and their careers. He found that, for Lady Gaga, failure is an opportunity to bounce back and avoid derailing progress. Read more to learn how Lady Gaga has dealt with criticism and failure.

How Does Warren Buffett Invest? Tips to Manage Your Portfolio

How does Warren Buffett invest? What’s the best way to adopt his approach? In The Warren Buffett Way, investment professional Robert G. Hagstrom outlines Warren Buffett’s investment strategies. Hagstrom explains why Buffett believes that focus investing is better than modern portfolio theory, and he shares some pitfalls to avoid as a focus investor. Read on to learn how to manage your portfolio like Buffett and to find an exercise that will help you examine your investing habits.

Alexander Hamilton on Slavery: Did He Own Slaves?

Was Alexander Hamilton against or for slavery? Why is his work as an abolitionist complicated? Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton does point out that Hamilton advocated for slaves’ rights, but he wasn’t exactly innocent in the matter. Many reports claim that Hamilton bought and owned slaves. Continue reading to learn more about Alexander Hamilton on slavery.

Bill Gates Talks About the Importance of Knowledge in Business

Are you trying to establish credibility in your field? How did Bill Gates do it when he was starting out? Alex Banayan interviewed successful people from a wide range of fields to discover what insights, tricks, and motivations helped them find success. He chose interviewees who started out as unknowns and, thus, lacked credibility. One of these is Bill Gates, who shared how he got people to invest in him. Continue reading to learn what Bill Gates has to say about the importance of knowledge in business, especially as you seek to build credibility.

Overcoming Challenges to Success: 3 True Stories of Inspiration

How does Laga Gaga respond to criticism? What does Jane Goodall’s story teach us about the career challenges that women face? Why isn’t Quincy Jones afraid to make mistakes? Alex Banayan interviewed several successful people for his book The Third Door. Many of them told stories of overcoming difficult challenges to success. Lady Gaga, Jane Goodall, and Quincy Jones gave Banayan insights on how to bounce back from setbacks so that you don’t derail your progress. Keep reading to learn how each of these people achieved success despite major challenges.

Jesus’ Lifestyle: The Perfect Remedy to a Hurried Life (Even Today)

How fast was the pace of Jesus’ life? How did he observe the Sabbath? Is his lifestyle transferable to modern society? Jesus had a lot of excellent habits. Two of them, in particular, allowed him to cultivate an unhurried lifestyle that gave him peace and helped him accomplish meaningful tasks. John Mark Comer discusses these two habits and urges you to adopt them if you want to escape a hectic existence. Read more to learn about Jesus’ lifestyle that you can emulate.