“Smarter faster better” by Charles Duhigg

The author 🖋

Charles Duhigg is a bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

He’s also a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School known for his deep research backed by real-world examples and scientific studies.

Key takeaways 🎓

1. Set SMART goals

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals are crucial for productivity.

Just like knowing where we want to go and planning the best way to get there helps us reach our destination faster - this approach helps us focus on specific objectives and overcome procrastination.

2. Small wins build momentum

Imagine pushing a small snowball downhill.

As it rolls, it gets bigger, gains momentum and starts moving faster on it’s own.

Charles argues we should apply this everywhere in life by starting small, getting some victories and building up confidence for bigger challenges.

3. Productivity is about making choices

It's not just about working hard, it's also about how we think.

If we tell ourselves the right things, use the right strategies, analyze the right data and make the right decisions - we can achieve much more with our time.

Based on the author’s research, mindset increases productivity more than just sweating harder.

Closing thoughts 🧠

The book aims to teach us how to work smarter, rather than harder.

Duhigg explores the science behind productivity and provides practical advice on how we can make better decisions, stay motivated and reach our goals faster without feeling too stressed.