Buchbesprechung

Cal Newport: Slow Productivity


Book Review

Cal Newport

Slow Productivity: Efficient without Overload

Redline Verlag, 1st edition, Munich 2024

Author
Cal Newport is a professor of computer science and a bestselling author. He has been publishing on the topic of productivity in an increasingly digitalized world for years.

Content
The premise of the book is the observation that productivity often decreases while individuals experience increasing levels of strain. Newport uses the term "pseudo-productivity" to describe this phenomenon. The root cause, according to him, is that when knowledge work was introduced, visible activity was used as a proxy for productivity due to the lack of better metrics. However, in the age of the internet, emails, messaging, and numerous meetings, this metric correlates less and less with actual output.
Cal Newport illustrates through numerous examples, spanning from ancient history to Steve Jobs, that systematic and continuous work is more effective in the long run.
He explains this using three principles:

  • Do less
  • Work at a natural pace
  • Prioritize quality above all else

Evaluation
The book addresses the topic through a multitude of examples. This is typical of American literature, even in the academic field. However, this book exceeds the usual number of examples by far. For me personally, there are too many examples, which leads to a loss of clarity in the information presented.
When compared to his previous publications on the subject, one might be disappointed, as they were both more concise and more practical. Newport himself described the book before its release as a reference guide, but unfortunately, it does not live up to that description.

Conclusion
If you enjoy many illustrative examples, this book offers a good introduction to the subject.
However, for those looking for a more concrete approach to improving their own productivity or that of their company, I recommend his podcasts (Deep Questions), where each episode covers a specific topic and answers reader questions


 

Buchbesprechung

Coelho: Die Chroniken von Accra


 Book Review

Paulo Coelho

Found in Accra

Manuscrito Encontrado em Accra

Author

Paulo Coelho, born in 1947, is a widely read author known for his novels, including the famous The Alchemist, which earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.

Content

This novel delves into the fundamental questions of life, not through philosophical or scientific writing, but as a beautifully written prose text. The questions explored range from life's defeats, loneliness, and embarking on new journeys to dealing with change, courage, beauty, decisions, missed opportunities, sex, and much more.

Evaluation

This is the third book by Paulo Coelho that I have read. If I thought the others couldn't be surpassed, this book proved me wrong. It is a delight to read. Additionally, it offers a philosophical and psychological reflection on life with more depth than many specialized books. I can only recommend this book to anyone who wants to do something good for themselves and reorient their thinking.

I read the book in German and envy my Portuguese friends who can enjoy it in the original language. 

Enjoy it!

P.S.: This book is not intended for coaching settings, but rather for personal reflection. On the other hand, I have used the stories from Nossrat Peseschkian’s The Merchant and the Parrot in team coaching before…so maybe one day I will use this text was well.

I didn't include a collection of quotes this time—when I tried, I found myself wanting to copy the entire book!


 

Jennifer L. Taitz
Stress Resets
How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes
New York, 2024


 

239 Pages

Author:

Jennifer L. Taitz, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She completed her fellowship in psychology at Yale University School of Medicine and holds board certifications in both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Passionate about reaching a broader audience, Dr. Taitz contributes articles to prominent publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. She also shares her expertise on popular podcasts including NPR's Life Kit and Spotify's Call Her Daddy.

In addition to her academic and media work, Dr. Taitz runs a private therapy practice called LA CBT DBT. She is the author of two acclaimed books: "How to Be Single and Happy: Science-Based Strategies for Keeping Your Sanity While Looking for a Soul Mate" and "End Emotional Eating: Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Cope with Difficult Emotions and Develop a Healthy Relationship to Food." Both books have received the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy Self-Help Book Seal of Merit for their commitment to research and accessibility.


 


 

Content:

In the initial section of the book, the author delineates the concept of stress and clarifies its distinction from emotions. She outlines the fundamentals of stress analysis, identifying triggers, and fundamental coping techniques. All theories are explained with real cases.

In the subsequent part, she elaborates on 41 strategies to manage acute stress, while in part three, she presents 34 approaches aimed at fostering resilience as a preventative measure. Each concept is thoroughly explained, including its operational mechanism and theoretical underpinnings.

The overarching concept of the book revolves around empowering the reader to select the most suitable strategies and begin practicing them to enhance their coping abilities.

Examples of strategies:

Anchor yourself

Move your body

Surf your urges

Build a hope kit

Cope ahead

Carve out time to worry

Persue your life purpose

Give yourself a panic attack 

Approach what you want to avoid


 

Verdict:

In coaching settings, there are only a few occasions where the techniques from the book are applicable. In these instances, I suggest utilizing only the methods in which the coach has ample experience. However, as a self-help book aimed at enhancing one's stress coping skills, this book proves to be valuable.


 

Jennifer L. Taitz: Stress Resets

Quotes

Oversharing your stress can keep you feeling riled up, and experts know that stress can be contagious. SXIV

I also want to clarify that stress is different from anxiety. Stress is when our sense of physiological or emotional balance is disrupted. Anxiety is more prolonged worry that is disproportionate to the cause, but it can also be a response to stress. S3

Stress is part of the price we pay for living a life that matters. S5

Meaningful involvements increase one's stress. S5

To design a life with zero stress, you'd have to shrink the scope of what you do, willfully denying life's realities and avoiding anything remotely challenging.

A history of some lifetime adversity predicts better outcomes than a history of high adversity and a history of no adversity. S5

In other words, all of us can use stress to evolve and grow, despite its terrible reputation. S5

The hopeful news is that depending on how you approach stress, you can make it work for you instead of hold you up. S5

But experiencing stress is different from letting stress define you. S6

Researchers found that individuals who experienced a high amount of stress and believed stress affected their health were indeed at greater risk of premature mortality (by 43 percent!) than those who were stressed but didn't associate it with poor health. Worrying about negative health outcomes from stress doesn't prevent them; it escalates them. S7

Those who reframed their stress as excitement were also perceived by others as more confident and competent. S7

Stress and emotions are remarkably similar. However, while an emotion may rise quickly, like a flash of anger or a wave of disgust, managing stress is something you have to do over time; it requires ongoing skillfulness. S13

When your emotions are based on facts (as opposed to negative thoughts), they can teach you something, motivate you, and send a message to others. S14

Simply labeling them-This thought isn't helping me—can go a long way toward turning down the temperature When you feel overcome by emotions. S18

Brain studies show that compared with suppressing our feelings, when we reappraise our automatic thoughts, we reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain region responsible for emotions. Reappraisal kes willingness and effort, but as you'll discover, it's well worth it. S18

Thinking more constructively doesn't mean you won't experience emotions. Those emotions, however, can feel less debilitating when you've adopted a healthier perspective. S19

Learning to accept physiological sensations by intentionally practicing them and staying present with them is freeing, and you'll come to realize that your body doesn't stay at peak inten sity for very long. S20

Interestingly, all behavior therapies for depression and anxiety hinge on acting differently from how you feel, because acting how you feel keeps you mood dependent, or in a position where your emotions, rather than your higher intentions, drive your life. Remarkably, people who feel depressed and hopeless can significantly improve their symptoms by practicing an example of opposite action technically referred to as behavioral activation or creating a schedule that matters to them. S21

She found that those who were prone to ruminating and responded to the disaster by overthinking were likelier to develop psychological problems, even heightening the risk of PTSD.

In fact, perseverative cognition, the phrase stress researchers use to describe ruminating and worrying, turns acute stress into prolonged stress.

"You can have chronic stressors that don't have a lifelong impact, and you can have acute stressors that do have a lifelong impact," explained psychologist George Slavich, a professor at University of California, S29

Taking the time to get clear on your values can help you maintain a healthy sense of self, warding off that horrible feeling of personal disappointment and instilling faith in your potential. S51

Affirming our most important values fortifies us, which can help protect us from stress. In other words, seeing your values clearly can improve your persistence. That persistence pays off, and a positive cycle ensues. S51

 

Kristine Fratz
Das Buch vom Zeitgeist
Und wie er uns vorantreibt
Basel, 2017

240 Seiten

Autorin:

Die Autorin Kirstine Fratz ist Kulturwissenschaftlerin und Zeitgeist-Expertin. Als Geschäftsführerin von Zeitgeist Handeln und Mitbegründerin von Zeitgeist Horizon berät sie internationale Unternehmen und Institutionen und hält Vorträge über die Macht des Zeitgeists. Sie lehrt Zeitgeist-Forschung an verschiedenen Hochschulen.


 

Buch:

Kristine Fratz deckt auf, wie der Zeitgeist funktioniert und wie er unser Leben beeinflusst - oft ohne, dass wir uns dessen bewußt sind. Der Zeitgeist baut auf unsere Sehnsüchte und Bedürfnisse und scheint uns Orientierung zu geben. Aber die Autorin beschreibt nicht nur die Mechanismen sondern sie gibt am Ende des Buches auch eine rezeptartige Anleitung für den verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit dem Zeitgeist.

Das Buch ist humorvoll geschrieben, so dass der Spaß beim Lesen nicht zu kurz kommt.

Fazit:

Wer den Zeitgeist verstehen will und dabei auch noch Spaß haben, der ist hier genau richtig.

Meine Top-Empfehlung

Kristine Fratz: Das Buch vom Zeitgeist

Zitate

(Die Zitate geben nicht notwendigerweise die Kernaussagen des Buches wieder, sondern sind einfach interessant - manchmal auch lustig)


 Technische Neuerungen und Innovationen ohnegleichen haben gewaltige Kräfte freigesetzt und neue Optionen eröffnet.

Die Sehnsucht nach einem gelingenden Leben haben sie nicht gestillt. (S9)


 

Der Druck der Zeitgeist-Gewinner, ihren Status quo aufrechtzuerhalten und zu mehren, war gewaltig. Im Vertrauen gestand man mir, dass Selbstzweifel und ein tiefes Gefühl von Ungenügen der heimliche Antrieb waren, immer ganz vorne im Zeitgeist mitspielen zu müssen. (S14)


 

Denn wenn es eine Sicherheit beim Zeitgeist gibt, dann, dass er sich laufend verändert. Seine Vorstellung vom gelungenen Leben ist nur von kurzer Dauer, und neue Ideen kündigen sich meist schon in irgendeiner Nische an. (S21)


 

Es ist Zeit für eine Aufklärung über Mythen und Glaubenssätze des herrschenden Zeitgeists und für eine neue Mündigkeit der Zeitgeist-Teilnehmer, damit wir ihn beherrschen und mit ihm spielen können - und nicht umgekehrt. (S23)


 

In der Tat glauben viele Zeitgeist-Teilnehmer, dass sie Trends gegenüber resistent sind. (S24)


 

Die Inhalte, mit denen ein Mann eine Frau verführt und um-gekehrt, sind ein Spiegel all dessen, wovon wir in der jeweiligen Zeit glauben, dass es ein gelungenes Leben ausmacht. (S29)

 

Zeitgeist ist ein Versprechen.

Er bestimmt unsere Vorstellungen von einem erfolgreichen Leben und gibt uns Orientierung, was wir dafür tun müssen. Er liefert uns zuverlässig und immer aufs Neue Stichworte, die uns erklären, was ein gelungenes Leben gerade ausmacht. (S37)


 

Der Zeitgeist bestimmt über die Zustimmung oder Ablehnung der anderen Zeitgeist-Teilnehmer, und dies ist ein machtvoller Bewertungsmaßstab. (S44)


 

Wer dem Wandel der emotionalen DNA einer Gesellschaft auf der Spur ist, weiß, wann und warum die Zeitgeist-Teilnehmer ihre Präferenzen erweitern oder ändern, und kann entsprechend handeln. (S44)


 

Die Zeitgeist-Wellen laufen nicht sauber hintereinander, sondern überlappen sich. (S52)


 

Wenn Unternehmen nicht die bewusste oder unbewusste Motivation der Konsumenten mit einbeziehen, also den Nerv der Zeit, wird das «Erfinden» von Trends schwierig. Das Rad von Mangel und Begehren muss mitgedacht werden. (S53)


 

Zeitgeist-Wandel entwickelt sich dynamisch, steigert sich, geht ins Gegenteil, kreiert etwas völlig Neues, und das alles am liebsten gleichzeitig. (S58)

«Wenn das Defizit, welches das alte Versprechen erzeugt hat, zu groß wird, werden wir empfänglich für neue Versprechen. Die machen in der Regel das Defizit als neues Bedürfnis aus und übersetzen es in entsprechende Angebote, wie zum Beispiel ‹ Digital Detox› oder ‹ Hygge-Kaffee›. (S58)


 

Vor nicht allzu langer Zeit hätte man Hyperindividualisten als egoistisch eingestuft, und vor noch viel längerer Zeit wären sie vielleicht aus der Gemeinschaft ausgestoßen worden.

Doch heute winkt dafür die Anerkennung. (S67)


 

Wir wollen geliebt werden und haben daher solche Angst, nicht dazuzugehören. Und diese Angst macht uns regelrecht blind. Blind für uns selbst und für die Zeitgeist-Dynamik, die uns gerade in ihren Bann zieht. (S75)


 

Wer heute richtig isst, kommt ins «Zeit-geist-Paradies». Allein der unbedingte Glaube daran zählt - und die Einhaltung der entsprechenden Gebote.

Dafür sind wir bereit, höchste Selbstdisziplin walten zu lassen, um aus unserem «You» ein «Better You» zu machen. (S76)


 

Das ist das Faszinierende am Zeitgeist: Egal, wie er sich dreht, er neigt dazu, uns immer wieder an die neuen Glaubenssätze zu binden. (S76)


 

Wenn Sie einen Science-Fiction-Film nicht nur als Unterhaltung begreifen, sondern ihn aufmerksam mit dem Zeitgeist-Blick betrachten, könnten Ihnen wahrscheinlich ein paar interessante neue Geschäftsideen auffallen, die erfolgversprechender sein könnten, als nur den aktuellen Leit-Trends hinterherzurennen. (S147)


 

«Lifestyle» ist eine dankbare Orientierungs-Methode für uns geworden, haben wir bei uns in der westlichen Welt doch Religion und gesellschaftliche Normen weitgehend über Bord geworfen, die uns früher die Richtung vorgaben. (S150)


 

Parfüm, Shampoo, Tütensuppen etc. werden so zu kleinen Zeitgeist-Verführern mit flüchtigen Erlösungs-Momenten für die aktuelle Idee von einem gelungenen Leben. (S163)

 

Sonja Lyumbomirsky

The How of Happiness
A Practical Guide to Getting the Life You Want

London 2010
373Seiten

Autorin:

Sonja Lyumbomirski studierte Psychologie in Harvard, machte ihren PhD in Stanford und lehrt Psychologie an der University of California.


 

Buch:

Das Buch gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über den Stand der Glücksforschung.

Es wird erklärt, welche Elemente das Glücksempfinden des Menschen fördern - und welche es nicht tun. Das Problem mit der Hedonischen Anpassung (Wir gewöhnen uns an das Gute und das Schlechte gleichermassen) wird erläutert. Auch gibt Sonja Lyumbomirsky Hilfestellung, herauszufinden, welche der Elemente am Besten individuell passen.

Das Buch unterscheidet sich von der gängigen Ratgeberliteratur dadurch, dass alle Empfehlungen wissenschaftlich hinterlegt sind. Und wer sich weiter in spezifischen Themen vertiefen will, der findet ein fast 40seitiges Quellenverzeichnis. Das Englisch ist leicht verständlich und die Darstellungen sind praxisgerecht. Zusätzliche (wissenschaftlich fundierte)Tests erleichtern die Umsetzung.

Fazit:

Wer ein wissenschaftlich fundiertes und leicht anwendbares Buch zur Glücksforschung sucht, ist hier richtig. Geeignet für Coaching und Selbstanwendung.

Meine Top-Empfehlung

Sonja Lyumbomirsky: The How of Happiness

Zitate

(Die Zitate geben nicht notwendigerweise die Kernaussagen des Buches wieder, sondern sind einfach interessant - manchmal auch lustig)


 

„In another study which also followed American undergraduates over time, women who expressed sincere joy in their collage yearbook fotos were relatively more likely married by age 27 and more likely to have satisfying marriages at age 52.“

„So the bottom line is that good looking people aren’t any happier.“

„When I am in New York, I want to be in Europe, and when I am in Europe I want to be in New York.“ Woody Allen

„In a nutshell, the fountain of happiness can be found in how you behave, what you think and what goals you set every day of your life. There is no happiness without action.

„In truth there is no one magic strategy that will help every person to become happier. All of us have different needs, interests, values, resources and inclinations that undoubtedly predispose us to put effort into and benefit from some strategies more than others“

„Happy people are all alike; every unhappy person is unhappy in his or her own way“   

The expression of gratitude is a kind of meta-strategy for achieving happiness

„Grateful people are more likely to help others“

„The practice of gratitude is incompatible with negative emotions and may actually diminish or deter such feelings…“

„Keep the gratitude strategy fresh by varying it or not over-practising it. My research shows that variety, the spice of life, is extremely important“

„Another way that optimistic thinking enhances happiness is that it prompts us to engage in active and effective coping“

„Like with anything in life, you should aim for moderation in optimistic thinking.“

„The happier the person the less attention she pays to how others around her art doing.“

„…Post-traumatic growth is one of the vital tools used by happy resilient people in facing the inevitable perils and hardships of life.

„One of the strongest findings in the literature on happiness is that people have better relationships than their less happy peers“

„Compassion is the the basis of all morality“ A. Schopenhauer

„Volunteering is associated with diminished depressive symptoms“

„Successful couples spend five hours more per week being together and talking“

„The magic number is to have three friends or companions you can really count on“

„Fortunately. most , if not all of the strategies that help you to be happier - count your blessings, cultivating optimism, practising religion, nurturing relationships, savouring life‘s joy and so on - are also strategies that help you to manage life‘s lowest ebbs.“

„When we are preoccupied with the goal we will no longer derive pleasure and contentment from from the process of achieving it.“

„What you need to do is to create ‚microflow‘ activities“

Wir benötigen Ihre Zustimmung zum Laden der Übersetzungen

Wir nutzen einen Drittanbieter-Service, um den Inhalt der Website zu übersetzen, der möglicherweise Daten über Ihre Aktivitäten sammelt. Bitte überprüfen Sie die Details in der Datenschutzerklärung und akzeptieren Sie den Dienst, um die Übersetzungen zu sehen.