The World's Best Book Summaries
How valuable is your time? Does the “time is money” mentality make you anxious? In her book Do Nothing, Celeste Headlee writes that, for many people, time feels scarce and too valuable to squander. She argues that the modern pressure to constantly be productive stems, in part, from changing perceptions of how valuable one’s time is. Keep reading to learn about the fear of wasting time and where it comes from.
Do you work on your creative pursuits only when inspiration strikes you? Do you tend to start more than you finish? Often, creatives are thought of as free and unstructured. But, successful creative professionals know the importance of a consistent schedule. Not only can a routine help you follow through and get things done, but it also can spark creativity and confidence. Read more to learn about the importance of a consistent schedule with insights from Gretchen Rubin and James Clear.
Do you struggle to stay on task? How much more could you get done if you stayed focused? Focus doesn’t just happen; it’s a result of a decision you make. Manage Your Day-to-Day provides advice on practicing intentional focus, including setting up the right environment, handling internal discomforts to minimize distractions, focusing for longer periods of time, and embracing boredom. Read more to learn about these practical tips from Dan Ariely, Chris Bailey, Nir Eyal, Cal Newport, and Leo Babauta.
Do you set goals for your team members? Do you help them set and reach their own objectives? Regardless of your managerial level, you have a duty to help your team set and reach their own goals as well as contribute to the overall objectives of your organization. In When They Win, You Win, Russ Laraway outlines four tiers of managerial goals and shares two ways to measure your effectiveness. Keep reading to learn how you can help your team set and reach goals that benefit the organization as a whole.
Who’s in control of your electronic devices and notifications? Do they serve you, or do you let them waste your time? Email and social media can be a blessing or a curse. Manage Your Day-to-Day offers insights and advice to help you use these tools to enhance your work rather than distract you from it. Keep reading to get practical tips for managing distractions at work from Chris Bailey, Cal Newport, and others.
Do your employees regard you as approachable? What’s the best way to coach an underperforming team member? In his book When They Win, You Win, Russ Laraway contends that bad management is everywhere and that it’s causing enormous harm to employees and companies alike. He believes that managers should cultivate the skill of coaching to boost employee engagement and performance. Keep reading to learn how to coach employees with Laraway’s insights as an employee experience expert.
What’s the importance of mentors for your life and career? How can you find a mentor that will push you toward success? A mentor is someone who guides you through your career, academics, or life. They are likely people who have gone through the same experiences as you, which puts them in the optimal position to offer advice and support. Below we’ll go through the importance of mentors, how to find one, and what you can do to show your gratitude for their help.
Do you tend to work in fits and starts? Do you let notifications, emails, and squirrels grab your attention? Manage Your Day-to-Day is a collection of essays by some of today’s best-known creative minds. They advise that, to improve your focus, you must be intentional, manage distractions, and stop multitasking. While the advice is directed at creative professionals, it applies to anyone intent on boosting their focus. Continue reading to learn how to improve your focus with tips from several highly-successful people.
Are you an effective manager? What would the people on your team say? What score would they give you? Employee engagement in the workforce is at an all-time low. Russ Laraway says the solution is better management. He argues that managers must focus on goals, coaching, and career development, and he says that employees should rate the manager’s effectiveness in each of these areas. Read more to get Laraway’s ideas for a manager performance survey that will help you know how you’re doing where it really counts.
What’s a best alternative to a negotiated agreement? Why should you calculate your and your counterpart’s BATNA and reservation value? Negotiation Genius by Deepak Malhotra and Max H. Bazerman suggests you prepare two main things before entering a negotiation. These are your and your counterpart’s best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA) and reservation value (RV). Check out how to easily calculate both below.