Appendix B: All the evidence-based advice we found on how to be more successful in any job

This book, updated for a new era, provides a simple and powerful 6-week program to manage finances. Ramit Sethi focuses on behavioral psychology to help readers save more, earn more, and automate their finances. Key lessons include focusing on big wins rather than small savings, automating financial tasks, and spending guilt-free on things you love while cutting back on unnecessary expenses. The book also covers topics like crushing debt, setting up high-interest bank accounts, and long-term investing in index funds.

In 'Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World', Adam Grant delves into the creative process and the mindset of individuals who challenge the status quo. The book discusses how originals manage risk while following their vision, the importance of quantity over quality in idea generation, and the role of procrastination and strategic timing in creative output. Grant also addresses how to communicate original ideas effectively, deal with emotional turmoil, and instill originality in various contexts, including business and child-rearing. The book challenges common myths about success and creativity, offering practical advice and anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples.

In this book, Angela Duckworth presents a compelling argument that success is driven more by grit, a fusion of relentless passion and perseverance, than by talent. She explains what grit is, how to identify and develop it, and how it can be grown through stages such as developing interests, consistent practice, finding a pro-social purpose, and cultivating optimism. The book is structured in three parts: explaining what grit is and why it matters, how to grow grit from the inside out, and how to grow grit from the outside in, targeting parents, coaches, teachers, and organizational leaders. Duckworth supports her arguments with personal stories, historical insights, and interviews with high achievers from various fields.

In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill. These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'. Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.

In 'Being Good: A Short Introduction to Ethics,' Simon Blackburn provides a thorough and engaging exploration of the field of ethics. The book addresses skepticism about ethics, discussing how cynicism and self-consciousness can complicate ethical considerations. Blackburn draws on historical, political, and personal examples to illustrate the relevance of ethics in everyday life, covering topics such as abortion, euthanasia, personal rights, and the meaning of life. He distills the arguments of philosophers like Hume, Kant, and Aristotle, emphasizing the importance of conscience, truth, and human progress. The book challenges readers to think critically about their ethical standards and the ethical climate of their time, advocating for a balanced and nuanced approach to ethical issues.

In 'A Mind for Numbers', Dr. Barbara Oakley provides practical advice and scientific insights on how to excel in math and science, even for those who have struggled in these subjects. The book highlights the importance of using both focused and diffuse modes of thinking, managing time effectively, and applying strategies such as interleaved practice and spaced repetition. Oakley shares her personal journey from being a mathphobe to becoming an engineering professor, illustrating that anyone can improve their skills in these areas with the right approach.

Dans "The Scout Mindset", Julia Galef explore la différence entre deux approches mentales : le "Mindset du Soldat", axé sur la défense de ses croyances, et le "Mindset du Scout", qui privilégie la recherche de la vérité, même si cela remet en question ses propres convictions. L'auteure argumente que le Mindset du Scout est essentiel pour une prise de décision rationnelle et efficace. Le livre propose des outils et des techniques pour cultiver ce Mindset, en encourageant l'ouverture d'esprit, la remise en question et l'acceptation de l'incertitude. Galef utilise des exemples concrets et des anecdotes pour illustrer ses points, rendant le livre accessible à un large public. L'ouvrage est une invitation à adopter une approche plus objective et plus rigoureuse dans la formation de ses opinions et dans la prise de décisions.

Derek Parfit's "Reasons and Persons" is a landmark work in contemporary philosophy, profoundly impacting discussions on personal identity, ethics, and rationality. Parfit challenges traditional notions of the self, arguing that our sense of personal identity is less coherent than we assume. He explores the implications of this for our moral obligations, particularly concerning future generations. The book delves into the complexities of decision-making under uncertainty, examining how we should weigh our present interests against the potential consequences of our actions for the future. Parfit's rigorous analysis and thought-provoking arguments have had a lasting influence on various fields, including ethics, political philosophy, and decision theory. His work continues to stimulate debate and inspire new research.

In 'The Road to Character,' David Brooks delves into the lives of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders to illustrate how they built strong inner characters. The book contrasts 'résumé virtues' (external achievements) with 'eulogy virtues' (internal character strengths like kindness, bravery, and honesty). Brooks examines figures such as Frances Perkins, Dwight Eisenhower, Dorothy Day, and others, highlighting their personal struggles and the virtues they developed. He argues that modern society often prioritizes external success over internal character, and he provides practical advice on how to rebalance these aspects of life. The book is a call to rethink priorities and strive for a life marked by humility, moral depth, and meaningful relationships.

The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane combines fun stories, sound science, and practical tools to explain how charisma can be learned and developed. Cabane breaks down charisma into its fundamental components, including presence, power, and warmth. The book describes four types of charisma: focus charisma, visionary charisma, kindness charisma, and explains how these qualities can be developed through specific behaviors and mental states. It emphasizes that charisma is not an innate quality but rather a skill that can be acquired through practice and the right mental approaches.

This book, written by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha, provides a blueprint for thriving in your job and building a career by applying the lessons of Silicon Valley's most innovative entrepreneurs. It emphasizes the importance of being nimble, investing in oneself, building professional networks, taking intelligent risks, and making uncertainty and volatility work to your advantage. The authors argue that these entrepreneurial skills are essential for professionals to get ahead in today's dynamic job market. The book is not a job-hunting manual but rather a guide to adopting a start-up mindset to adapt to the future, expand your network, gain a competitive edge, and seize new opportunities.

In *The How of Happiness*, Sonja Lyubomirsky offers a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness. Drawing on her extensive research, Lyubomirsky explains that while 50% of happiness is determined by genetics and 10% by life circumstances, 40% can be controlled through intentional thoughts and behaviors. The book provides over a dozen uniquely formulated happiness-increasing strategies, including practicing optimism, savoring life's pleasures, and staying active. It also includes diagnostic quizzes to help readers understand their 'happiness set point' and select activities that best fit their personality, resources, and goals. Lyubomirsky emphasizes the importance of personalizing these strategies to achieve long-term happiness.

In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness. Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love. Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big. He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.

Douglas Hubbard's "How to Measure Anything" provides a practical framework for quantifying even the seemingly unmeasurable. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding uncertainty and using Bayesian methods to improve decision-making. Hubbard presents a systematic approach to identifying and addressing sources of uncertainty, helping readers make more informed choices. The book is widely used by professionals in various fields, including business, engineering, and science. It offers valuable insights into the challenges of measurement and the importance of using data effectively to improve decision-making.

In 'Decisive', Chip and Dan Heath address the critical topic of decision-making, highlighting the biases and irrationalities that disrupt our choices. The book introduces a four-step process—WRAP (Widen your options, Reality-test your assumptions, Attain distance before deciding, Prepare to be wrong)—designed to counteract these biases. Through engaging stories and practical tools, the Heaths provide strategies to stop agonizing over decisions, make group decisions without destructive politics, and ensure that valuable opportunities are not overlooked.

This book summarizes Anders Ericsson's 30-year research on the acquisition of expertise. It introduces the concept of 'deliberate practice,' a specific learning method used by experts to achieve superior performance. The authors distinguish between different types of practice, such as naive practice, purposeful practice, and deliberate practice, emphasizing the importance of mental representations in achieving expertise. The book also addresses the misconception of the '10,000-hour rule' popularized by Malcolm Gladwell and provides practical tips for improving skills in various areas.

In 'Never Eat Alone,' Keith Ferrazzi shares his insights on networking and relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and mutual success. The book outlines specific steps and an inner mindset for connecting with others, highlighting principles such as generosity, constant communication, and reciprocity without keeping score. Ferrazzi draws from his own experiences and those of highly connected individuals to provide practical advice on handling rejection, attending events, and maintaining long-lasting connections in both personal and professional settings.

In 'Flourish', Martin E.P. Seligman presents a new concept of well-being that goes beyond traditional psychology's focus on alleviating suffering. He introduces the PERMA model, which consists of Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. These pillars are essential for a life of profound fulfillment. The book discusses how these elements can be applied in various aspects of life, including education, economics, therapy, and public policy. It also includes inspiring stories of Positive Psychology in action, such as the U.S. Army's training in emotional resilience and innovative school programs. Seligman's work is grounded in extensive research and provides practical exercises for readers to explore their own attitudes and aims.

First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.

In 'Tiny Habits,' Dr. BJ Fogg presents a breakthrough method for habit formation based on 20 years of research and his experience coaching thousands of people. The book introduces the 'Behavior Design' approach, which emphasizes the importance of motivation, ability, and prompts in creating new habits. Fogg's method, known as the ABC (Anchor, Behavior, Celebration) method, involves anchoring new habits to existing routines, performing the behavior, and celebrating each success to reinforce the habit. The book provides step-by-step guides and practical techniques to make habit formation easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, helping readers to increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

In 'It's Not Always Depression,' Hilary Jacobs Hendel presents a unique therapeutic approach that draws on the latest science about the healing power of emotions. The book introduces the Change Triangle, a tool that helps individuals identify and work through emotional defenses, secondary emotions, and core emotions. Hendel shares patient stories and dynamic exercises to help readers connect with healing emotions, ease anxiety and depression, and discover their authentic selves. The approach is based on Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), which focuses on fully experiencing core emotions to achieve an openhearted state of calm, curiosity, connection, compassion, confidence, courage, and clarity.

This book, written by Dr. David D. Burns, outlines scientifically proven techniques based on CBT to help readers overcome negative thoughts and develop a positive outlook on life. It addresses common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, guilt, and low self-esteem by identifying and correcting cognitive distortions. The book provides practical advice on recognizing and changing negative thought patterns, handling criticism, building self-esteem, and improving overall mental well-being.

In *Connected*, Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler reveal the surprising ways in which social networks shape our lives. They explain how emotions are contagious, health behaviors spread, and how social networks influence our ideas, relationships, and behavior. The book challenges traditional notions of individuality by highlighting the powerful role of networks in shaping our experiences.

In 'Give and Take', Adam Grant examines the surprising forces that shape success, highlighting the differences between givers, matchers, and takers. Givers contribute to others without expecting anything in return, matchers aim to trade evenly, and takers strive to get as much as possible from others. Grant uses cutting-edge evidence and captivating stories to show how these styles impact success across various industries. The book emphasizes the benefits and challenges of adopting a giver mentality and provides practical advice on how to build successful relationships and achieve extraordinary results.