Smarter Faster Better - Charles Duhigg

Learn in this summary of the book "Smarter Faster Better" what you need to do to set goals, make choices and move towards the goal.

Where are you on the ladder of success? How is your productivity? Missing a lot? No problem, here is the solution!

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About the book "Smarter Faster Better"

The book "Smarter Faster Better" (2016) was written by renowned author Charles Duhigg. It is made up of eight interesting chapters that will help you lead a victorious, prosperous and successful life.

About the author Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg studied at Yale University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School.

He is a writer of world-renowned works such as the bestseller "The Power of Habit". In 2013, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his explanatory reporting.

He has even been a New York Times reporter, and he is currently a writer for The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker and The Atlantic.

To whom is this book indicated?

This book is for non-conforming leaders who want to change the history of their companies.

A truly stimulating work with fully applicable theories that will help you get to where you always wanted to be: on top of success.

Main ideas of the book "Smarter Faster Better"

During this book, the author draws attention to extremely important points that are watershed for a businessman's rise in the financial market. Among them, we can mention:

• The opportunity to choose generates motivation;
• The lack of control is the main characteristic of a defeated leader;
• Beware of reactive thinking;
• A company's culture determines whether or not it will be victorious;
• There is no formula for creativity;
• Have psychological security;
• Making decisions is vital to a business.

In this summary, we will explain the path to consecrated victory. Curious?

Let's get to the heart of the matter!

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Overview: Productivity Theories

Productivity is all about time management and results. But not only that: Our choices, goals, projects, and objectives play an important role in the progress of our goals.

Productivity has different meanings and distinct bias depending on the subject in question.

One of the main characteristics is the need to know the functioning of your self productivity so that there is greater use of energy and a positive reflection on your practices.

The creation of mental models

Mental models are planning that we make of our activities focused on one goa l. Have you heard about the benefits of mental models?

According to Charles Duhigg, people who make mental models a strategy to follow are more promising and more likely to succeed. This is all due to increased organizational skills, concentration, and creativity.

Another important feature is the increased attention and ease of following necessary routines.

Often one of the biggest impediments to success is lack of persistence or not knowing the next step in decision making.

When dealing with business, it is critical that we use our experiences, livingness and various ways to see the world as a useful tool for achievement.

However, it is extremely important that we put aside pessimistic thoughts or the ones that somehow deconstruct our ability to win.

Did you get the message? The way we organize our plans and the method we imagine to be the fastest, most concrete, and most feasible is an example of a mental model.

Overview: Define Purposes

In business, in order to achieve satisfactory results as a result of successful decisions, you must first establish where you want to go.

Setting goals is all about determination and speed. If you want to boost your business, reach your goals, and get to the top of achieving your dreams, set yourself up.

For a better understanding, the author gives tips on how to do this. He explains that to make your business guidelines easier, it is interesting to follow the SMART methodology, which aims to increase the chances of growth in an organization. Among them, we can mention:

• Be specific in the objectives;
• Establish metrics, study what can be done to improve results;
• Determine achievable goals;
• Choose relevant goals that make sense in the current moment of the company;
• Set time/deadline for goals, by the way, a schedule is always welcome at these times, ok?

Charles Duhigg also explains that this model is scientifically proven. Large companies, such as GE (General Electric), had quick and satisfactory results after adopting this model. And you? Are you going to stay still?

Overview: The work environment needs to be a safe place

Efficiency combines with confidence. During the book, Charles makes it clear that the professional who fears subjugation will never give their all in the workplace.

Unfortunately, although we are in the age of modernity, this is quite common. And it is a cultural issue.

Leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs should even value the importance of teamwork. Moreover, it should suppress any competitive attitude among colleagues, and avoid projects being individual only. Because it is the collective that makes all the difference.

Psychological security

• It is crucial. It can be explained as freedom for authenticity;
• It is a motto in which everyone can express their ideas, clear their doubts, expose their thoughts without being criticized, judged or repressed for it;
• It is a culture of respect for each other as a person and as a professional;
• There is no problem in differing opinion or projecting disagreement about any decision making;
• There is no authoritarianism or imposition;
• It is the team spirit being the fundamental unit of an organization.

Social sensitivity

Charles Duhigg also explains that psychological security has nothing to do with friendship, but with social sensitivity. This has to come from you, leader.

It is totally relevant that the manager is a model of attention within the company. The world's fastest-growing companies have had a sensitive leader when it comes to workers' opinions and emotions.

The victorious manager encourages team members to express themselves and has a culture of equality, where everyone has a say and voice in the environment in which they operate.

Overview: The Consequences of Reactive Thinking

It is understood that reactive thinking comes from something trained in advance.

In a business bias, for example, reactive thinking can be significant when it comes to being prepared for an alleged emergency.

It is extremely important that the manager be aware of the consequences that may happen after some decision making. This indicates maturity and business organization.

If we think of a broader idea, it would be like an automatic response to a decision that needs some urgency. Good, but dangerous. Do you agree?

The main problem with reactive thinking is that it is so easy to make such a habit that it hinders critical thinking or some necessary reasoning.

The individual creates mental triggers and reactive thinking becomes a skill. It is detrimental to motivation and a sense of creativity as it outsources choices and control over decisions.

Overview: Does your team make decisions?

According to the book "Smarter Faster Better", the best-known multinationals extend participation in decision making to all employees of the company, regardless of their level.

This management philosophy assists not only in productivity agility but also in building members with autonomy and enthusiasm.

Bureaucratic culture is a norm based on unity. This is beneficial, because in addition to not overloading the manager, the psychological security along with social sensitivity, is easily exercised on this foundation.

Understand that decentralization that decision making generates:

• Ambition;
• Team Creativity
• Possibility to increase profits.

Now answer: is your team active in opinions and influential in the company's choices?

Think about it.

Overview: The Influence of Probability on Business

Mathematically, probability can be explained as the calculation that indicates the chances of an event happening. In business, this technique is used similarly.

To think about probability in a company is to make predictions. It is to understand that not every decision is the right one, but it is important to understand that each choice brings learning.

To have probabilistic thinking is to have organized thinking. It is to consider conflicting results and think in advance of a possible solution for these.

And what influence?

In the future, without a doubt.

Since probability involves assumptions, it is entirely consistent that it also assists decisions and influences long-term forecasts.

Have you calculated your chances of success today?

What do other authors say about it?

For John C. Maxwell, author of "Leadership Gold: Lessons I've Learned from a Lifetime of Leading", the best leaders are those who can hear. Listeners know what is happening because they are attentive. They learn better than others because they absorb from many places. In addition, good listeners have the ability to better see other people's strengths and weaknesses.

In "The Leadership Pipeline", the authors point out that functional leaders need to manage certain areas outside their field of expertise. Therefore, they must not only seek to understand this different work but also learn to value it.

In the recommended "Everybody Matters", the authors explore how true leaders must continually study to develop and develop those around them so that they can also become excellent leaders who believe and value people.

Okay, but how can I apply this to my life?

In several ways, among them we can mention:

• Perform mental models. People who have this habit are more likely to succeed, as this tactic activates creativity, organizational skills, and sound decisions;
• Be an enthusiast. Leaders need to motivate teams;
• Control reactive thinking. Give value to proactive thinking;
• The success of a company has to do with its culture. Empower your group. Trust;
• Think probabilistically. Study your future and the chances of longing for success;
• Dream big. But set steps to achieve it. Set achievable goals to reach the larger goal;
• Escape procrastination;
• Ask yourself. Try to understand the problems. Seek to solve them.

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