better doing
How to show recessions in Excel charts
In case you’ve ever faced the same challenge of highlighting certain periods on an Excel chart. | learn more
Category: better doing
better doing
The observer effect: seeing is changing
The act of looking at something changes it – an effect that holds true for people, animals, even atoms. Here’s how the observer effect distorts our world and how we can get a more accurate picture.” I love how Farnam […]
better doing
I’m Afraid of Documentaries
Growing up, we were told TV would rot our brains. So, instead, I’ve been watching documentaries! For years. I’m guessing you have too. They’re a great alternative to fiction movies and TV shows. They make us feel educated, not just […]
better doing
The Straussian reading
“The idea is that when you read something, there are sometimes two layers of meaning. There is the “exoteric”, most-obvious meaning, which is the normal meaning that normal meaning would reveal. After you understand the exoteric meaning, if you keep […]
better doing
The value of management consultants
I’ll admit occasionally having a laugh at the expense of the management consulting industry. Reading The Firm (affiliate link) about McKinsey & Co shed a lot of light on its origins. This short post, originally a comment elsewhere, explains the key ways […]
better doing
Don’t work on vacation
This HBR article highlights interesting findings that show people have lower intrinsic motivation when they feel like they’re working during personal time. Interestingly, simply re-framing the time as work time, for example by telling yourself “People usually use weekends to […]
better doing
Thinking for oneself
“Wisdom is earned, not given. When other people give us the answer, it belongs to them and not us. While we might achieve the outcome we desire, it comes from dependence, not insight.” | learn more
better doing
Productive group meetings over video
Real-time brainstorming has a handful of known challenges that limit its effectiveness. Tom Tunguz writes: “Remote work changes this for brainstorming meetings and collaboration broadly defined. The secret is Google Docs.” | learn more
better doing
The “steel man” tactic to argue more effectively
In contrast to the “straw man” technique for debating the weakest part of an argument, the “steel man” requires first restating the opposing argument in its strongest form before debating against it. | learn more
better doing
The polymath playbook
“You’ve likely heard the saying: “A jack of all trades is a master of none.” … It may surprise you to learn there’s actually an extended version: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better […]