Booklist for your next trip to the bookstore is right here
If the human mind and behavior fascinate you, this compilation is for you.
For those who don’t know, Ray Dalio is an American billionaire investor and hedge fund manager. He was also labeled the “Steve Jobs of Investing”.
These books differ in style and substance.
Each of these books still offers a great deal of lessons and insights into ourselves. They cover topics like brain function, human behavior, and tips for success.
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You don’t know what is going on in your brain.
Eagleman makes it clear that what we think is ‘us’ makes up a very small part of our brain. Most of our brain’s processes keep working without conscious thought or direction.
We consider ourselves in charge but we are not. Different parts of our brain are battling it out at all times.
One part tells us to do one thing while the other directs us to something else. Eventually, the result determines our actions.
Eagleman also discusses various neurological cases. One such case is Phineas Gage, whose personality reportedly changed after a ghastly head injury.
Eagleman argues we are not in the driving seat. The foundation of this argument is that brain injury alters personality traits.
He discusses another case of a person with a sudden interest in child pornography. Turned out, he had a tumor in his brain. After treatment, his deranged interests were curbed.
“You´re not perceiving what’s out there. You’re perceiving whatever your brain tells you.”
To some extent, this book will remind you of ‘Free Will’ by Sam Harris.
This book will leave you with the right questions to ponder. This is regardless of your disagreement with the conclusion, ‘we can’t do anything’.
Two systems work simultaneously in the intricate depths of our minds.
One system is impulsive and emotional while the other is logical and in control.
System 1 takes care of Involuntary actions, predictions, and assumptions. One example of this is reading the emotions on a person’s face. It is called ‘fast thinking.’
System 2 does ‘slow thinking’ such as solving a mathematical problem.
Kahneman also discusses 2 selves, remembering self and experiencing self.
Expectedly, these conflict with each other.
When a bad thing happens at the end of a good day, we say, ‘Such a good day was ruined’. In reality, it hasn’t been ruined. It’s because the good stuff has already happened. That good stuff can’t be ruined.
Our memory of it is shattered though.
“Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it”
We should be skeptical of our intuition and ‘gut’. Why, you may ask?
Because it is prone to bias and errors. It does provide us with the ability to keep ourselves safe.
This book will help you make the right decisions at the right time.
Buy “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman On Amazon
Uncover the captivating workings behind habits and gain an unprecedented advantage. The book reflects the title ‘POWER of habit’. Our brain creates habits to save effort.
“This is how new habits are created: by putting together a cue, a routine, and a reward, and then cultivating a craving that drives the loop.”
Routine and habits are crucial for our optimal functioning and a fulfilling life. Instilling good habits is beneficial for individuals, organizations, and societies, altogether.
We can train ourselves for the habits that we wish to inculcate. Habit is created by a cue, routine, and reward loop.
● A ‘cue’ is something that triggers a response. For example; our alarm beeps. A cue can be internal or external.
● ‘Routine’ is our action in response to the cue. For example; the alarm is for our evening workout so we head to the gym.
● ‘Reward’ is what we get for the action. In this case, happy hormones are released after exercise.
Over time, if we continue repeating our routine, it will become a habit.
This book will arm you with the knowledge to build and maintain habits.
Imagine what will unfold if one side of your brain takes a hit.
Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, suffered a stroke one morning. It damaged the left side of her brain. This book details her experience and 8 years of recovery afterward.
“Although many of us may think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, biologically we are feeling creatures that think.”
She discovered that her right brain helped her connect with the world and live in the moment. It also provided her with peace and calm.
This book tells us how elastic a human brain is.
It can develop and grow in amazing ways. But how it does that, is entirely up to us.
“Without structure, censorship, or discipline, our thoughts run rampant on automatic.”
The key takeaway is that peace, mindfulness, and positive emotions are inside us. We just have to tap into them.
You might be surprised by our connection to our ancestors.
Historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant provide us with a summary of history in this book. The history of mankind is divided into three parts, hunting, agriculture, and industry.
We also get profound lessons from this book about humans. Humans at the core of their beings remain the same even though culture and ideas evolve.
“Human behavior has changed, but not human nature.”
This book also teaches us that we look at history with an oversimplified view. Every moment has a multitude of complex factors determining the flow of events.
Buy “The Lessons of History” by Will Durant and Ariel Durant On Amazon
If your ideas are too cuckoo for your peers, this book is for you.
‘Originals’ are the people who dare to be on the less trodden path, voice their unique ideas and stand out.
Remember, originals are ordinary people. Anyone can become one if provided with the appropriate environment.
“If we want people to accept our original ideas, we need to speak up about them, then rinse and repeat.”
Being a change-maker is about acting upon a unique idea to make it a reality.
“Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”
This book also discusses the ways to provide children with conducive environments. This will help them become visionaries and change-makers.
The future is eagerly seeking the creativity of visionary thinkers.
The left brain is analytical and logical. The right brain is creative and artistic.
For the most part, left-brainers are lauded for their technological and business breakthroughs. This doesn’t nullify the importance of right brain skills.
Artificial intelligence is booming and it might replace digital tasks.
But can it replace right-brain skills like empathy, spontaneity, and artistic creativity? Not a chance.
These creative skills will be highly in demand.
“Empathy is an essential part of living a life of meaning.”
Pink discusses six right brain senses in this book which are:
● Design ● Story ● Symphony ● Empathy ● Play ● Meaning
By enhancing your right brain skills, you can use their power to succeed.
A vital roadmap to building a thriving business.
The golden question is how to lead a company that succeeds and stands the test of time.
This book uses Netflix as an example. It flourished from a small rental DVD startup to the world’s top video streaming service.
It all comes down to Netflix’s unconventional culture. There is minimal control over employees. It appreciates talent and innovation.
“A fast and innovative workplace is made up of what we call “stunning colleagues” — highly talented people, of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, who are exceptionally creative, accomplish significant amounts of important work, and collaborate effectively.”
We have to be open to change and be willing to take the necessary steps to handle it.
High talent density is one of the keys to making a business successful. Another is to welcome honest feedback.
Another crucial strategy is to throw useless policies out the window.
Employing people of high talent won’t be fruitful if they aren’t able to interact with efficiency. They should be able to share constructive criticism without being bound by politeness.
This will allow everyone to collaborate and reach their full potential.
Interestingly, Netflix doesn’t track hours and days or vacation days. It believes that freedom leads to more accountability.
The same things have to be repeated again and again to ensure the company climbs the ladder of success.
Will you aim for the trophy or watch from the sidelines?
Schwarzman says, goals, whether big or small, take the same kind of effort. So why not put your effort into something that can be huge?
Schwarzman’s book is jam-packed with advice.
It covers it all. From inserting ourselves into uncomfortable situations or keeping our disagreement on record to avoid later blame.
These are exactly the reasons why every entrepreneur should read this book.
He has been through the entrepreneurial roller coaster as a businessman. Thus, his advice is not based on mere buzzwords.
We would be foolish to ignore his guidance.
“Regardless of how you begin your careers, it is important to realize that your life will not necessarily move in a straight line.”
I know the sinking feeling that comes with failure due to my various business adventures.
But Schwarzman gives us hope.
Our lives and career paths will be wobbly. We can use our failures to guide us to victory if we keep a sensible mindset.
“Every entrepreneur knows the feeling: that moment of despair when the only thing you are aware of is the giant gap between where you find yourself and the life and business you imagine.”
Regardless of your current financial status, this book might give you the motivation to create a legacy.
Discover the secret recipe of success used by pros.
Short interviews of 100 people have been compiled in this book. These interviews include the reasons behind their success, their habits, and their golden advice.
The author dubs these interviews a “buffet of mentors to choose from”.
You can gather advice from so many successful individuals through these interviews.
Some pieces in the book are of utter importance, hence, their repetition.
Ferriss himself says, “At least 80 percent of the people in the book have some sort of mindfulness or meditation practice first thing in the morning…”
“Don’t do things that you know are morally wrong.”
Another good piece of advice from the book is not to use the number seven when ranking opportunities.
Seven is a vague number when rating anything. If you remove seven from the options, you have either six or eight.
Six is barely above average. Eight shows it’s worth it.
“Life punishes the vague wish and rewards the specific ask.”
We can make the necessary changes in our lives by being specific about our aim in life. If we remain vague, we’ll forever be clueless about the next steps.
On Amazon
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