Favorite Books
Listening to audiobooks has always been my favorite pastime. When I was 7, my father began encouraging me to listen to audiobooks as a hobby. As I grew up, my favorite genres transitioned from detective novels before college, to social science & history during college, to business biographies after college. My ability to digest audiobooks while multitasking — cooking, washing dishes, commuting — has become my greatest superpower.
Here are my all-time favorites, curated from 800+ books across business, psychology, and technology. For more recommendations, check out my Goodreads bookshelf.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Why is sleep essential for our health and well-being? Sleep is crucial for physical health, mental clarity, and longevity. Chronic sleep deprivation increases risks of Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Ways to improve sleep quality: Keep a consistent sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours nightly. Keep your bedroom cool (65°F/18°C), dark, and quiet. Avoid caffeine after 2 PM and alcohol before bedtime. Limit screen time 1 hour before bed and exercise regularly (not close to bedtime).
Further Reading:
Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar
How can we improve our health? Due to our modern Western diet, most of us have an excess of glucose in our bodies, leading to high blood sugar levels—a major contributor to health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and migraines. Here are some ways to balance our blood sugar levels: Limit foods with a high glycemic index (sugar, juice, processed carbs). When buying groceries, opt for whole foods and produce instead of highly processed products with unfamiliar chemical ingredients. For each meal, eat vegetables and proteins before carbs. Add vinegar. Go for light exercise (e.g., 20-min walk) after a meal. Get enough sleep (8 hours) and manage stress levels.
Further Reading:
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
What are the key life principles to live by? Be Proactive: Take responsibility and focus on what we can control. Begin with the End in Mind: Define clear goals and work backwards. Prioritize important, non-urgent tasks for high-impact results. Think Win-Win: Aim for mutually beneficial solutions in all interactions. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Listen empathetically before expressing our views. Synergize: Collaborate and appreciate the diverse strength of others. Sharpen the Saw: Continuously improve and rejuvenate physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Further Reading:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
What are the difference between Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset? Growth mindset trust abilities can improve; Fixed mindset sees them as static. Growth mindset learns from the process; Fixed mindset fixates on results. Growth mindset appreciates challenges; Fixed mindset fears failure. Growth mindset welcomes feedback; Fixed mindset avoids criticism. Growth mindset values effort; fixed mindset sees it as weakness. Growth mindset builds collaboration; Fixed mindset fosters competition. Growth mindset encourages curiosity; Fixed mindset avoids uncertainty. Growth mindset cultivates intrinsic motivation; fixed mindset relies on external validation.
Further Reading:
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
How can we get things done more effortlessly? Identity-Driven: Create systems for your top identities and goals. The right systems and habits contribute to small incremental improvements. Compounding: Small improvements yield substantial long-term changes. Cue, routine, and reward are the 3 essential components of habits. To build good habits: Make cues more visible, routine more frictionless, and reward more satisfying. To break bad habits: Make cues less visible, routine more cumbersome, and reward more unsatisfactory.
Further Reading:
10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less
Why is 10x growth easier than 2x growth? 10x forces focus on the highest-impact opportunities; 2x keeps us doing everything we already do, just slightly better. 10x demands transformation, creating new categories where competition is irrelevant. Apply 80/20: Let go of the 80% that doesn't move the needle and double down on the vital 20%. Focus on "who" not "how": Build a team to handle execution while you focus on unique value. Measure gains, not gap: Celebrate progress to build confidence and momentum.
Further Reading:
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
How can we adapt and thrive in today's changing environments? Question, test, and revise beliefs by embracing humility and doubt. Adopt Growth mindset by taking smart risks and celebrating mistakes. Encourage healthy conflict to challenge assumptions for better ideas. How can we encourage others to rethink their assumptions? Listen: "What experiences led you to think this way? Tell me more." Validate: "Sounds like a tough experience. I can understand." Invite Ideas: "We both care about X. Let's explore solutions together." Suggest Questions: "What if we try Y?" / "What would change your mind?" "A hallmark of wisdom is knowing when it's time to abandon some of our most treasured tools—and some of the most cherished parts of our identity."
Further Reading:
Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact
How can we become more effective at work? For each project, ask "What's the goal? How will it help stakeholders?" Prioritize high-impact projects and deprioritize low-impact ones. Implement habits, systems, and processes to automate and scale workflows. In situations where roles are undefined and no one appears to take charge, step up and take initiative. After roles have been defined, step back and relinquish control. In challenging times, offer solutions and ideas, not problems and burdens. Embrace change by cultivating a growth mindset and acquiring new skills. Develop a robust network of relationships to seek advice and feedback.
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