The World's Best Book Summaries
What is a good decision, and how do you know you’re making one? What is the best way to evaluate your choice? A good decision moves you towards your goals and takes your values into account. According to some experts, slow and thoughtful decisions are more likely to do this. Read on for more on how to recognize good choices.
Do you know of any self-care practices for mental health? How can you distance yourself from toxic work dynamics? Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis and Mel Robbins challenge the misconception that self-care equates to selfishness. On The Mel Robbins Podcast, Bryant-Davis says taking care of oneself is essential, regardless of conviction. Continue reading for some self-care practices that you can use every day, whether at home or work.
How is Ozempic hurting the body positivity movement? Is Ozempic a healthy way to lose weight? On The Daily Podcast, Michael Barbaro delves into how public perception has shifted from regarding Ozempic as a diabetes solution to a potential shortcut for weight loss. One could point to a societal fixation on obesity and thinness as a cause for this shift. Let’s look at the Ozempic-body positivity clash that’s currently happening.
What is Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis’s homecoming concept? What does distress do to your psyche? In an insightful conversation on The Mel Robbins Podcast, Robbins and Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis discuss the metaphorical concept of “homecoming,” which signifies the journey of reconnecting with our authentic sleeves. Life’s traumas often disguise our true identities, keeping us stuck in a look of distress that’s hard to escape. Let’s explore the concept of homecoming further.
Why do we regret purchases after we make them? How can we make better buying decisions? When you regret purchases, it’s because your desire for something blinded you from thinking through the decision rationally. Often we think rationally only to justify these purchases after the fact. Learn why we get buyer’s remorse and why rationalizing purchases doesn’t help.
What is direct practice, and what separates it from indirect practice? Which is better? Direct practice is unique in that it involves engineering a situation in which you can practice skills, as opposed to practicing indirectly during normal activities. Both are effective, but there are certain situations in which direct is better. Take a look at this explanation of when to use direct practice and what it looks like.
Have you tried to find happiness and fallen short? Do you have clarity on what makes people—especially you—happy? In The How of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomirsky unpacks the factors that fuel long-term happiness and provides practical strategies to nurture and sustain it. She draws from extensive research as well as insights from leading scientists in the positive psychology field. Continue reading for an overview of this book that can help you understand—and find—happiness.
Can you learn how to set goals for yourself better? What does it look like to set achievable goals? To set goals for yourself, try to be as specific as possible in what you hope to achieve. And, make sure that you take into account your strengths and resources accurately. Learn what it takes to set goals within reach.
Is happiness genetic? What’s your happiness baseline? Can you offset the impact that your genes have on your happiness? Sonja Lyubomirsky writes that your genetics influence 50% of your long-term happiness and determine your “happiness baseline.” Simply put, your genes define the default level of happiness you typically feel, regardless of life’s ups and downs. Read more to learn how your genetics influence your happiness.
Where do subconscious motivations come from? What can nonverbal cues tell you? Wouldn’t it be helpful to know what people are thinking without asking them? In Read People Like a Book, Patrick King claims that anyone can look at a person and know what type of person they are. When you’ve mastered this ability, you can handle conflict better and call out a liar from a mile away. Read below for a brief overview of Read People Like a Book.