smarter faster better the secrets of being productive

If you've read absolutely nothing in this genre, you'll enjoy the book if you've read anything at all in the genre, this isn't worth your time. Missed connections, no solid idea, and basic repackaging of other 'pop psychology' books without presenting anything unique or new to the reader. (And anyone who hasn't heard the story of the Post-It note at this point must be living under a rock.) And chapter 7 - dear god, Pixar must be tired of being interviewed for all these books about creativity and problem solving and teams. Chapter 1 simply repackages Carol Dwek's idea of the growth mindset - even listing a quote by her but referring to her ideas as the concept of an 'internal locus of control.' It's interesting he referenced Atul Gawande, because in chapter 3, he uses an example of the airplane industry that almost perfectly mirrors one of the chapters in Gawande's book, 'The Checklist Manifesto.' Chapter 5 explores NUMI and The Toyota Way - a story told again and again and again, not only in mainstream psychology books but on mediums such as the This American Life radio show. My biggest qualm, however, is the research is nothing new: it's old ideas from other sources, repacked to be sold yet again. Despite numerous opportunities to draw connections between the chapters, each could have been a stand alone blog post - they don't read as anything following an overarching idea. (Even if it could have been, Duhigg didn't make it one.) What exactly did Duhigg want me to take away from this book? I'm left unsure. 'Smarter faster better' is not, in and of itself, a theme. At the end of reading this book, I'm actually a bit confused about what it was about: instead of having one cohesive theme, each story read like little bits of mini advice that didn't connect to a larger picture.

'The Power of Habit' had an active influence on my life and changed how I approach trying to achieve my goals, so I expected great things from 'Smarter Faster Better' as well.Īlas, it failed to deliver.

After reading Duhigg's first book - 'The Power of Habit' - and loving it, I raced to read this one as soon as I got my hands on an advance reader's copy through NetGalley.

Smarter faster better the secrets of being productive