Gary Klein’s Seeing What Others Don’t: Book Overview

A smiling woman with gray hair and an orange sweater reading a book while sitting in a chair in front of a bookshelf

What makes breakthroughs happen more often for some people than others? How can we better understand the process of insight and use it to our advantage? Gary Klein’s Seeing What Others Don’t: The Remarkable Ways We Gain Insights lays out the mechanics of insight, revealing that breakthrough ideas arrive through three distinct paths. Klein’s research shows that most people and organizations inadvertently create conditions that suppress insights. Keep reading to discover practical strategies that can help you become more receptive to breakthrough moments and learn how to capitalize on them when they arrive.

Why Multitasking Is Bad: The Psychological Toll It Takes

A woman trying and failing to do several things at once because multitasking is bad

Do you multitask often? What are the negative effects of doing several things at once? Even more pernicious than frequent interruptions is the pressure to do several things at once. Multitasking is now part of the world we live in, and it comes with significant cognitive and physiological costs. Discover why multitasking is bad and the psychological toll it has on your brain.

Why Reading Is Beneficial (+ Redesign Your Reading Habits)

A painting of a woman reading a book with colorful swirls emanating from the book illustrates why reading is beneficial

How does reading shape who you become? Why is reading beneficial? Are you fully taking advantage of the benefits of reading? Reading offers us more than just entertainment or information. In her book Proust and the Squid, cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf explains that engaging with books influences our thinking and personal development. Keep reading to discover how you get the most out of deep, meaningful reading.

Are Distractions Good? The Pros and Cons of Losing Focus

A man texting on his phone at work, showing that distractions are good sometimes

Are distractions good, or are they really as bad as we think they are? How can interruptions lead to more productivity? In addition to internal distractions, you deal with constant external interruptions every day, which are equally tricky—if not harder—to contend with. While distractions are still bad altogether, they can come with some positive effects. Let’s look at the pros and cons of distractions and some of the benefits you can gain from getting off track.

Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal (Book Overview & Takeaways)

A woman with long wavy gray hair reading a hardcover book

Why do you sometimes make decisions without knowing exactly why? How much of your everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by processes you’re not aware of? Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior explains that the vast majority of our brain’s processing happens beneath the surface of awareness. This hidden mental activity shapes how we interpret our observations, form beliefs, and experience the world around us. Keep reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

The Disadvantages of Digital Reading & Ways to Minimize Them

Two woman on a train—one looking at her phone and the other reading a book—illustrates the disadvantages of digital reading

What happens to our brains when we read on screens versus paper? How can we balance digital convenience with deeper comprehension skills? In her book Proust and the Squid, Maryanne Wolf explores the significant disadvantages of digital reading alongside its benefits. She explains how our brains adapt differently to online reading, with platforms encouraging skimming rather than deep reading. Below, find Wolf’s practical strategies for parents, teachers, and readers to maintain deep reading abilities while still embracing the digital world.

How to Increase Concentration Power: Find a Healthy Balance

A man working on his computer and increasing his concentration power at work

Are you ready to be more productive? How does working with distractions help you focus more? In Attention Span, Gloria Mark acknowledges that even though many external factors shape our behavior, we still retain some ability to choose how we act. You just need to learn how to take back most of the brainpower you use to concentrate. Read more to learn how to increase your concentration power, including when to surrender to distractions.

How to Avoid Motivated Reasoning: Tips From Leonard Mlodinow

A woman looking up with colorful fiery swirls around her head illustrates how to avoid motivated reasoning

Is your mind playing tricks on you without your awareness? Why do we cling to beliefs despite contradicting evidence? In Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow reveals how our unconscious mind shapes our judgments before conscious analysis begins. He explains motivated reasoning—our tendency to process information in ways that support existing beliefs—and offers practical strategies to overcome this natural bias. Keep reading to discover how to avoid motivated reasoning and make more objective decisions in everyday life.

How to Be Insightful: Cultivating Ground for New Ideas to Sprout

A light bulb growing out of the ground illustrates how to be insightful

Can insights be cultivated through deliberate practice? What specific paths lead to those “aha” moments that change everything? In Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein reveals that insights aren’t random strokes of genius but natural outcomes of staying curious and open-minded. He outlines distinct ways to become more insightful, sharing practical methods anyone can use to create conditions where insights flourish. Keep reading to discover how to be insightful through simple mindset shifts and systematic practices that will transform the way you solve problems and generate new ideas.

How to Achieve Balance in Life: 3 Skills for Good Productivity

A woman walking on a tightrope in the sky to achieve a balance in life

Do you want to know how to achieve balance in life? What types of breaks should you take to improve productivity? In Attention Span, Gloria Mark disputes the idea that constant productivity is a worthy goal. Instead, she advocates a balance between periods of deep concentration, more “mechanical” tasks, and breaks to let your mind recharge. Discover the three skills that you should practice to achieve balance: self-awareness, planning your time, and self-moderation.