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- ๐ The Reading Journal #051
๐ The Reading Journal #051
How not to die alone, Blink, The Experience Mindset and Clear Thinking
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One of the most well-known authors in history, William Shakespeare, had an intriguing fact about his works. While Shakespeare's plays are celebrated for their profound insights into the human condition and the timeless themes they explore, it is estimated that he coined and introduced over 1,700 words to the English language.
These newly created words not only enriched the lexicon of the English language but also demonstrated Shakespeare's extraordinary linguistic creativity. Some of the words he invented are still in common usage today, including "eyeball," "bedroom," "lonely," "gossip," "majestic," "sanctimonious," and "swagger." These additions to the English language helped to expand its expressive capacity and left an indelible mark on the literary world.
Shakespeare's linguistic contributions demonstrate his mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of human experience in his writing. They serve as a testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact he continues to have on literature and language centuries after his death.
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๐๏ธ Staff Pick of the Week
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
In "Blink," Malcolm Gladwell builds upon his previous bestseller, "The Tipping Point," to explore the intricacies of human decision-making. The book delves into the concept of rapid cognition, highlighting choices that appear to be made in an instant but are more complex than they seem. Gladwell investigates why some individuals excel at decision-making while others consistently falter. He delves into the inner workings of our minds in various settings, such as the workplace, classroom, kitchen, and bedroom. The book delves into the phenomenon of "thin-slicing," where exceptional decision-makers filter out the essential factors from a multitude of variables. Through engaging stories, Gladwell showcases both the successes and failures of quick decision-making, shedding light on the factors that influence our intuitive judgments.
๐ฅ Reading Talk's
๐ Rising Quickly - Week of June 12, 2023
The Experience Mindset: Changing the Way You Think About Growth by Tiffani Bova
In the fiercely competitive battle to acquire customers, businesses often prioritize enhancing customer experience through faster deliveries, new products, and UI improvements. However, Tiffani Bova argues that this narrow focus on customer experience alone, without considering the well-being of employees, actually hampers long-term growth. The most successful companies adopt an Experience Mindset, which emphasizes simultaneously strengthening both employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX). "The Experience Mindset," based on extensive research sponsored by Salesforce, offers insights into adopting this approach at scale. It emphasizes the need for a balanced and intentional strategy involving all stakeholders, with key performance indicators (KPIs) and ownership over outcomes. The book explores how various factors, including people, processes, technology, and culture, contribute to the virtuous cycle of EX and CX. It also highlights the importance of minimizing both customer and employee effort, citing examples from companies like Southwest and Best Buy. The effective implementation of technology solutions that improve EX and CX is addressed, as well as the significance of measuring these experiences through appropriate metrics. The book underscores the necessity of investing in employees to remain competitive in today's marketplace.
๐ชMost Talked About Fiction - Week of June 19, 2023
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
"Every Summer After" is a poignant tale that spans six years and a pivotal weekend. Persephone Fraser, haunted by a past mistake, has distanced herself from her hometown and the idyllic summers she once cherished. However, a call brings her back to Barry's Bay and into the presence of Sam Florek, the man she thought she had lost forever. Their enduring bond, forged through summers of shared experiences, is reignited during a funeral. To determine if their love can transcend past errors, Percy must confront her choices and the self-imposed punishment she has endured. Set against a nostalgic backdrop, this sweeping narrative explores the profound impact of love, relationships, and the decisions that shape our lives.
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๐๏ธ Most Talked About Non-Fiction - Week of June 19, 2023
How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love by Logan Fry
In "How to Not Die Alone," Logan Ury, a former behavioral scientist turned dating coach, explores the common dilemma of feeling left out while everyone else seems to find love. Ury delves into the underlying reasons behind our poor dating decisions and provides a guide for transforming our behavior to achieve lasting love. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of dating, incorporating behavioral science insights, original research, and real-life stories. Topics covered include understanding what holds us back, identifying essential qualities in a long-term partner, navigating online dating, expanding social circles, making dates enjoyable, and debunking the myth of "the spark." With practical exercises and a data-driven approach, this book aims to help readers find, build, and maintain their dream relationships.
๐ New and Noteworthy
Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish
In "Clear Thinking," Shane Parrish, the founder of Farnam Street, emphasizes the transformative power of effective decision-making in both personal and professional realms. Parrish highlights that crucial decision-making moments often go unnoticed, and it is essential to recognize and seize these opportunities to shape our lives and achieve desired outcomes. The book provides practical tools to identify these pivotal moments and navigate the gap between stimuli and responses. Parrish explores how our default behaviors, influenced by biology, evolution, and culture, often dictate our actions on autopilot. By intervening and engaging our reasoning and rationality, we can make better decisions. Drawing on stories and mental models, Parrish bridges the gap between behavioral science and real-life results, offering a valuable guide for optimizing decision-making, gaining a competitive edge, and living a more intentional life.
โ๏ธ Quote of the Week
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
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