The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you doubt yourself a lot at work? Do you think you’re unworthy of everything you’ve accomplished? According to Jemma Roedel, many women struggle with imposter syndrome in the workplace. Some of the effects include fear of being revealed as a fraud and believing you’re not worthy of your achievements. Discover more about these effects of imposter syndrome to see if you have it.
What does long-term meditation do to your brain? Can it really change who you are as a person? Yogi Mingyur Rinpoche’s brain scans reveal fascinating insights into the effects of long-term meditation. Scientists have found evidence of increased brain activity, improved brain health, and enhanced emotional regulation in meditation masters. Keep reading to discover how a dedicated meditation practice can lead to profound changes in your mental and emotional states.
How charismatic are you? Can you tell when someone else is charismatic? Charisma is a fascinating blend of warmth and competence. It’s a quality that can be measured and improved. In her book Cues, Vanessa Van Edwards explores this concept in depth, offering insights into how we judge others and project our own charisma. Read on to understand Van Edwards’s charisma spectrum and discover where you might fall on it.
What’s the psychology behind following your gut? How is intuition like a muscle? We’ve all been told to “trust your gut feeling” at some point in our lives. Psychologist Richard Wiseman explains why this is important and why you should never ignore warning signals. Continue reading to learn more about following your gut, from the book The Luck Factor.
What are some of the issues with meditation research? Should we believe all the hype? Meditation research is a rapidly growing field, but it faces unique challenges. Scientists are working to understand how different forms of meditation affect the brain and behavior. They’re also trying to develop better ways to measure these effects. Let’s explore the foundations of meditation research, common misconceptions, and why it’s important to approach claims about meditation with a critical eye.
What are the characteristics of habits? How can you form good habits? You may not realize it, but approximately 95% of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors stem from habits. Therefore, understanding how to form positive habits is an important part of building a successful life. Here’s our brief overview of habit formation in psychology to help you learn how to break bad habits and embrace good ones.
Why do extroverts have more lucky moments than introverts? Why should you relax into luck? Because extroverts tend to put themselves in more new situations than introverts, they’re more likely to encounter “lucky” moments. Rather than being a form of magic, luck often comes from putting yourself into situations where positive outcomes are more likely to happen. Here’s a deeper look into extroverts and luck from the book The Luck Factor.
Is it possible to change your luck? Is there such a thing as good luck and bad luck? What can you learn from bad luck? In his book The Luck Factor, Richard Wiseman says that there’s no such thing as good or bad luck—it’s all in the way that you frame a situation. Lucky people see “bad luck” as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. Here’s how you can change your perspective on luck.
Is the internet reshaping our brains? How might our digital habits affect our ability to concentrate and retain information? Nicholas Carr’s book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains explores the impact of Internet use on our cognitive functions. He argues that our online activities are altering our neural pathways, potentially diminishing our capacity for deep reading and sustained focus. Keep reading to explore Carr’s insights and their implications for our daily lives.
Is meditation really as beneficial as people claim? What specific changes can it make to your brain and overall well-being? Meditation has gained popularity in recent years, with many touting its numerous benefits. In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson separate the signal from the noise to clarify what we do and don’t know about how meditation changes the brain—and, therefore, the meditator. Keep reading to learn about the science-backed effects of meditation.