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Why clear boundaries matter
Mario Peshev
September 04, 2024
Welcome to The Smarter Brain, a curation of thought-provoking ideas and actionable reads to help you build better habits and become more productive.
Happy reading - See you on Sunday!
Cheers, The Smarter Brain Team
Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins
3 Ideas For Better Habits
The Art of Ruthless Focus
Biographer, Walter Isaacson, on Steve Jobs' relentless prioritization.
"Jobs insisted that Apple focus on just two or three priorities at a time. ‘There is no one better at turning off the noise that is going on around him,’ Cook said. ‘That allows him to focus on a few things and say no to many things. Few people are really good at that."
Author and science communicator, Bill Bryson, on the vastness of human DNA.
"The most remarkable part of all is your DNA. You have a metre of it packed into every cell, and so many cells that if you formed all the DNA in your body into a single fine strand it would stretch ten billion miles, to beyond Pluto. Think of it: there is enough of you to leave the solar system. You are in the most literal sense cosmic."
Therapist and author, Nedra Glover Tawwab, on why clear boundaries matter.
"Unspoken boundaries are invisible, and they often sound like ‘They should’ve known better’ or ‘Common sense would say . . .’ Common sense is based on our own life experiences, however, and it isn’t the same for everyone. That’s why it’s essential to communicate and not assume that people are aware of our expectations in relationships. We must inform others of our limits and take responsibility for upholding them."
Productivity Tools and Resources
Why the complaint sandwich is better for effective feedback
The "compliment sandwich" approach for feedback often fails because it can dilute the message with unrelated praise. Instead, the "complaint sandwich" offers a more effective method by pairing constructive criticism with relevant positive reinforcement and actionable advice.
How to quiet negative thoughts with self-compassion
Struggling with negative thoughts? Discover how self-compassion can help quiet your inner critic and foster a healthier mindset.
What We're Reading
The Productivity Blueprint is a free newsletter that breaks down productivity trends, top tools to apply them, as well as the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’. Sent directly to your inbox, every Sunday.
Brain Food
Today I Learned: In 1943, the U.S. banned sliced bread as a wartime conservation measure. (Source)
Science: Flexibility and personalization were key in optimizing dieters' weight-loss success on the Individualized Diet Improvement Program, created by food scientists. (Source)
Have a productive week ahead, The Smarter Brain Team
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