Learn to handle money, power, and technology
Reading the same book again is boring.
But it isn’t always the case.
Sometimes books provide you with new gems each time you read them. Just like a sea giving from its limitless treasures.
The following books belong to that category.
Let’s dive into each one of them!
The ups and downs of the human brain.
When you see a ball hurtling towards you and jump out of the way, it means the fast part of your brain is in action.
When you do your taxes, the slow system is engaged.
As you might have guessed, the first one makes impulsive and quick decisions. The second one is analytical.
“An investment said to have an 80% chance of success sounds far more attractive than one with a 20% chance of failure. The mind can’t easily recognize that they are the same.”
The author discusses the operation of these two brain systems and their interaction. He also discusses an interesting concept called ‘cognitive ease’.
The brain looks for familiar and easy. It wants to avoid spending energy. Hence we take our first impression of things and consider them to be facts. Obviously, we can circumvent this through conscious thinking.
“We all have a need for the reassuring message that actions have appropriate consequences, and that success will reward wisdom and courage. Many business books are tailor-made to satisfy this need.”
The author also discusses how the same statement can cause different responses because of their phrasing. For example, 80% success sounds better than 20% loss, although they are the same thing.
This book will show you your brain’s decision-making process in detail.
A psychologist’s experience of concentration camps.
Think of the worst moments of your life. Times where it felt like nothing was ever going to get better. There was darkness all around.
How did you survive through that? Maybe it was hope, or love, or faith.
Victor E. Frankl is a psychologist who fell into dark times when he and his family were taken prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. This book details his experiences.
“Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of. And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake.”
For Frankl, it was meaning in life that propelled him through tough times. But what is the meaning of life? Everyone has to answer this question themselves, he says.
Meaning can be derived from cause, love, or suffering.
In the first half of the book, Frankl reflects on his time in the concentration camps. In the second half, he tells us about logotherapy. Logotherapy focuses on helping people find meaning in their lives.
“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
This book will show you that surviving the worst is certainly possible.
Poker and real life have more in common than you think.
Life is like poker.
This is what Annie Duke, a professional poker player, realized.
“The decisions we make in our lives — in business, saving and spending, health and lifestyle choices, raising our children, and relationships — easily fit von Neumann’s definition of ‘real games.’
Each of the decisions that we make in our lives has uncertainty and risk. We also don’t have all the information. Just like poker.
We cannot treat life decisions like moves in chess.
Through the poker analogy, the author makes us realize that there are two forces determining the results. One is the quality of our decisions. And the second is luck.
Our job is to increase the likelihood of a good outcome. We can never guarantee them.
“ Just as we can’t unsee an illusion, intellect or willpower alone can’t make us resist motivated reasoning.”
This book will teach you how to get better at decision-making by taking inspiration from poker.
Dismount the hamster wheel.
From contentment to investment, this book touches all.
“No one is impressed with your possessions as much as you are.”
Housel makes us realize the power of compounding. Investment is a waiting game, the sooner you invest, the more profit you’ll get.
The author also tells us that riches and wealth are two different things. People use riches to show off and stuff. But wealth is what gives you the power to buy something at a future point in time.
“The most important financial skill is getting the goalpost to stop moving.”
Why do we show off our money? Because we want respect and admiration. Housel advised us to earn that through good nature and personality.
We also learn about the downfall that greed brings. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pursue our financial goals. It means we shouldn’t always keep running behind our next target.
Instead, we should use money to gain more freedom. This means spending time with loved ones etc.
Of ego and pride…
The ‘ego’ is an inflated sense of self.
It clouds our judgment and prevents us from seeing reality. This is why Ryan Holiday warns us about it.
“Ego is its own worst enemy. It hurts the ones we love too. Our families and friends suffer for it. So do our customers, fans, and clients.”
The ego also gets in the way of our learning. We are meant to experience the good and bad in life and become better as a result.
“Just because you are quiet doesn’t mean that you are without pride. Privately thinking you’re better than others is still pride. It’s still dangerous.”
Ego makes us talk more and do less. The author cites the example of social media. All we do is talk on there.
In order to succeed, we need to be flexible and adaptive, whereas ego makes us rigid and hard.
This book also gives examples of people like Larry Page and Steve Jobs.
The secret ingredients of happiness and more…
Where does happiness come from?
‘Happiness Begins Within’, says the author. But he is not saying this in a symbolic sense.
He means it literally. Serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin are hormones that exist inside us. These give rise to happiness.
Harari discusses ideas such as consumerism and tolerance as well.
“The most important impact of script on human history is precisely this: it has gradually changed the way humans think and view the world.”
We start from the Big Bang, learning about the coming into being of the universe and then life. The author takes us through the evolution of life.
“We have mastered our surroundings, increased food production, built cities, established empires and created far-flung trade networks. But did we decrease the amount of suffering in the world?”
Life kept evolving into more complex forms. Humans came into the world. There were 6 species of humans. Homo sapiens reached the top.
This book provides a good background of human history.
Don’t use this book for evil!
Some want it. Others stay wary of it.
Such a complicated thing power is.
This book gives us 48 laws of power. These laws will help you attain power and keep yourself safe from the power of others.
“Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people’s actions.”
Some parts of the book are downright manipulative. No wonder this book is so controversial. It is even banned in many prisons in the US.
The book teaches us to earn respect from people. At the same time, we shouldn’t be overly trusting. The author advises us to conceal our true intentions and thoughts.
He also tells us to take credit after getting stuff done by other people.
Really, eh?
I advise against it.
“When you are weaker, never fight for honors sake; choose surrender instead.”
Perhaps this book is not about gaining power ourselves but understanding those who hold it.
Control technology, and streamline your life.
Our digital lives are more complex than ever. This is overwhelming us.
Cal Newport is the go-to guy when it comes to keeping tech usage under control.
“Digital minimalism means cultivating a life where you’re not constantly bombarded by digital distractions and where you have complete control over how you engage with technology.”
Why do we need guidance from Newport?
We have no limits on the tech in our lives. Every ping and every sound pulls us into the digital realm.
That is hurting us and our relationships.
“The best way to overcome the negative effects of technology overload is to actively seek out solitude and reflection.”
But we need our devices for work and more. We can’t get rid of them. Is there a way?
You bet, there is. And Newport teaches us all about it. Just like minimalism in material things, digital minimalism gets rid of everything that is not being used.
We need to have control of how we engage with tech. Technology shouldn’t be the one controlling us.
Figuring out life by reading someone’s diary.
Gratitude and self-control are two important virtues of a good life.
And the mention of these two is rampant in ‘Meditations’, a book written by a Roman Emperor of the past.
Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 CE. He was also a stoic philosopher. He handled his stress by reflecting on life in his diary.
This diary went on to be published as a book.
“Think of what you have rather than of what you lack. Of the things you have, select the best and then reflect how eagerly you would have sought them if you did not have them.”
We see Aurelius dealing with personal and collective challenges. We see him motivating himself to forgive people, to take charge of his own emotions, and to get into the right mindset.
The book may be old, but the wisdom in it is worth a lot, even today.
Convincing people is a trick.
The right words should be spoken at the right times.
“The right words at the right time can change everything.”
Phil M. Jones tells us about ‘magic words’, the words that speak to the unconscious mind. These words have the power to persuade.
This book gives us a list of those phrases that have the power to change people’s minds.
“Be mindful of your tone, for it carries as much weight as your words.”
The author provides practical personal and business situations where the phrases work. He also talks about the importance of tone, the way one says something.
“Communication is not just about talking, but also about active listening.”
This book is beneficial for people working in sales and those who have to interact with many different people daily.
It also empowers us by understanding situations where we are the ones being manipulated.
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If you enjoyed these book recommendations, check out the rest of my book lists on my blog- https://www.thenovelnest.com/blog
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