Book Summaries: Self-Improvement
Self-improvement books summarised in one paragraph. Follow the links to see more detailed book notes and related articles from the blog.
The 5AM Club - By Robin Sharma
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
The 5AM Club presents a powerful argument for a work-rest routine to join the top 5% of performers. In the form of a story, the book argues that a structured and consistent morning routine which starts at 5AM can act as a catalyst for greater productivity, health, and happiness. Sharma also puts forward a variety of tactics for our working days to capitalise on our strong morning start, along with some fundamental principles for world-class performance.
The Algebra of Happiness - By Scott Galloway
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Scott Galloway is a professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, perhaps best known as the author of The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. The Algebra of Happiness is Galloway’s second book and it outlines his perspective on the fundamentals of a happy life. From our money to our health to our love lives, lessons are given in the form of short anecdotes from Galloway’s personal experiences.
Atomic Habits - By James Clear
The small habits that bring about marginal gains are our ‘atomic habits’. These habits, Clear suggests, are the the compound interest of self-improvement. In order to change them and improve our results, Clear suggests we must turn our attention to our systems instead of our goals. To change behaviour, the book identifies four simple rules: (1) make it obvious, (2) make it attractive, (3) make it easy, and (4) make it satisfying. We stand the best chance of delivering these habit changes when we ensure the cues for our habit loops (cue-routine-reward) are clear with our environments.
Related Article: Stretch, Sleep, Repeat: The Neuroscience of Habits
Digital Minimalism - By Cal Newport
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Cal Newport explores one of the modern world’s biggest challenges: the impact of digitalisation on our well-being, creativity and productivity. The solution, he suggests, is a radical rethink about the way we use technologies. Digital Minimalism sets out a path for a more intentional and controlled approach to our digital communications, starting again from zero and reintroducing only those technologies that truly bring us value.
Essentialism - By Greg McKeown
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Essentialists embrace their right to choose and the reality that more doesn’t necessarily yield better results. By exploring and evaluating our options, we can identify the essential and then apply extreme criteria in selection. As McKeown argues, the result is greater focus, greater results, and greater satisfaction.
Factfulness - By Hans Rosling
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
We systematically overestimate how bad things are and underestimate how much they have improved. Rosling believes this tendency is driven by 10 innate “overdramatic instincts”, from the way in which fear, urgency and negativity rule over our worldviews, to our tendency to generalise and seek single causes and solutions. Factfulness provides an entertaining and data-based antidote to many of the thinking errors that underpin our worldviews.
Related Article: Cognitive Biases: Predictable Thinking Errors and How to Avoid Them
How to Win Friends and Influence People - By Dale Carnegie
Carnegie provides straightforward advice on how to relate to people. This is first done in the form of some fundamental rules about handling people: don’t criticise and condemn, appreciate others, and have our desires work with others’ wants. Carnegie then introduces six simple principles for getting people to like us – essentially, this concerns showing interest in others by actively listening and asking, as well as exhibiting respect by, for example, smiling and remembering names. The subsequent sections deal with winning people around to our point of view and leading change without stoking resentment. Carnegie addresses both of these areas with some simple principles and examples. The book is one of the best selling of all time for good reason. Carnegie wraps up persuasive advice with thought-provoking ideas on almost every page.
The More of Less - By Joshua Becker
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
What started with Joshua Becker clearing out his garage became a life-changing journey in minimalism, for more reasons than one. Becker documented his journey at his blog, Becoming Minimalist, which became one of the most successful minimalism blogs on the internet. The More of Less is a consolidation of the key principles that Becker learnt along the way. The book introduces the basic principles of minimalism, its origins, and the practical steps the reader can take to change their own life for the better through minimalism.
The Power of Habit - By Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit explores the science behind habits. The book begins by outlining the basis of all habit formation: the habit loop, along with some evidence from neurological science and psychology. The basic premise is that habits are formed based on a cycle of cue, routine and rewards. The interaction of cues and rewards can create the presence of cravings, which reinforce habit loops. Habits can be reformed, Duhigg argues, by replacing the routine in the habit loop, but keeping the cue and reward – though willpower plays a critical role. Duhigg spends a number of chapters outlining examples of keystone habits: individual habit loops capable of cascading through societies and businesses.
Related Article: The Psychology of Saving Money: What Does the Research Tell Us?
Sleep - By Nick Littlehales
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Nick Littlehales is an elite sports sleep coach and has worked with high-profile athletes from across the sporting spectrum. In this illuminating read, Littlehales provides actionable practices for better sleep. From thinking in cycles instead of hours through to the power of napping, the ideas in this book will leave you thinking differently about our most important tool of physical and mental recovery.
Related Article: The Benefits of Thinking, Working and Resting in Cycles
Stuffocation - By James Wallman
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
James Wallman’s contention is that the materialism of the last 100 years has progressively made the developed world more anxious and more depressed, reaching a point of “stuffocation”. Backed by psychology research and socio-economic data, Wallman argues that the world needs to head towards a healthier dominant value system: experientialism. In fact, as the data shows, it’s already on its way.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - By Mark Manson
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Mark Manson provides straight-talking life advice in this entertaining read. Instead of seeing problems as an annoyance to be solved, Manson makes the case that problems are indirectly the source of most of our happiness. We have a choice about how we react to the worst of these problems, and often those that yield to victim mentality end up the worst off. Rich in entertaining anecdotes, Manson sets out the case for embracing uncertainty, failure, and rejection, and ultimately taking responsibility for a life in which you choose carefully what to give a f*ck about.
Surrounded by Idiots - By Thomas Erikson
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
Thomas Erikson is a behavioural expert from Sweden. Having spent two decades helping organisations and teams understand their behaviour through the DISA system, the book provides a comprehensive look at the application of this model in practice. The aim of the book is to help people get past the mentality of assuming we are surrounded by idiots and instead become fluent in the language of behaviour.
Talk Like TED - By Carmine Gallo
Paper | eBook | Book Summary
As Carmine Gallo puts it, “ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century.” But crucially, we can only change the world through these ideas by effectively communicating them. After analysing more than 500 TED presentations and interviewing presenters, neuroscientists, psychologists and communications experts, Gallo presents what he believes to be the nine most important elements of effective presentations.
Further Reading
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