On 30 Lessons for Living, Stress Free Productivity, and Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Books that changed my life
Hello all!
Here is your weekly dose of books that changed my life.
1. Living a good life
30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice From the Wisest Americans
Summary
This book is the culmination of more than one thousand interviews with Americans over the age of sixty-five to seek their counsel on all the big issues–children, marriage, money, career, aging. The author distills the advice and presents it in this easy to read, inspiring book.
Principle: Skip the funerals and see your friends now.
Insight: It's not really the activity, it's the shared time.
Concept: Eudaimonia - happiness derived from activities that are rewarding in and of themselves (in contrast to hedonia). Eudaimonic individuals who are motivated by goals that emphasize personal growth, contributing to the community, and meaningful relationships are typically much happier at work.
Author: Karl Pillemer
Themes: Living a full life, Personal development
My personal notes from the book
2. Human psychology
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
Summary
Loved this book. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. This book challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks. This is a fun read and practical to life.
Principle: But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
Insight: Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness. And the fact of being an underdog can change people in ways that we often fail to appreciate: it can open doors and create opportunities and educate and enlighten and make possible what might otherwise have been unthinkable.
Insight: The best students from mediocre schools were almost always a better bet than good students from the very best schools.
Insight: Wealth contains the seeds of its own destruction. -Malcolm Gladwell
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Themes: Human psychology, Decision making, Philosophy
My personal notes from the book
3. Productivity
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Summary
Being more productive in the sense of getting more done is not necessarily the goal. While the title of this book, Getting Things Done, alludes the reader that more is better (I don’t agree with this concept), the book also addresses another important aspect of productivity–learning to build systems so that the things you do want to get done, get done in a manner that is rewarding. There is enough value in this book that it is worth spending the time to read, but take the advice and use what best fits your personal systems.
Insight: Most of the stress people experience comes from inappropriately mangled commitments they make or accept.
Concept: Why Things are on Your Mind:
You haven't clarified exactly what the intended outcome is
You haven't decided what the very next physical action step is
You haven't put reminders of the outcome and the action required in a system you trust
Quote: Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation, and action -David Kekich
Author: David Allen
Themes: Work hygiene, Productivity, Management, Career advancement
My personal notes from the book
That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading!
Please continue to share with me the books that changed your life!
Best,
Adam
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