Best Book Summary: Smarter Faster Better

The Quest for Productivity

We are all attempting to be more productive in today’s fast-paced world. Productivity is the secret to getting more done with less, whether it be at work, in our personal lives, or in pursuing our goals. Charles Duhigg’s book “Smarter Faster Better” takes us on a quest to learn the secrets of productivity and provides insightful advice on how we can improve our effectiveness and efficiency in a variety of areas of our lives.

1. Motivation

Duhigg starts out by highlighting how crucial motivation is for boosting output. He presents the idea of an “internal locus of control,” which refers to having confidence in your ability to make decisions and take appropriate actions. A strong internal locus of control is associated with higher levels of motivation and productivity.

The “self-determination theory” — where people are more motivated when they feel a feeling of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in their work — is another topic covered by Duhigg. This theory emphasizes the importance of having a feeling of purpose in our work and developing personal goals.

2. Teams

Duhigg next examines the dynamics of effective teams. He presents the idea of “psychological safety,” which is the notion that team members need to feel safe taking risks and expressing their views without worrying about backlash or punishment. The most effective teams, according to Google’s Project Aristotle, have high levels of psychological safety.

The significance of establishing a clear structure among teams is another key consideration. Duhigg holds up the Marine Corps as an example and the “OODA loop” (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) as a template for making decisions under stress. Teams that use such organized decision-making procedures typically perform better under time constraints.

3. Focus

Focus is difficult to sustain in this distraction-filled world we live in. Duhigg presents the idea of “cognitive tunneling,” which refers to the tendency to narrow our focus when under pressure or stress. However, greater inaccuracies or lower productivity may result from this.

Duhigg advises putting tactics like creating mental models and setting precise goals into practice to prevent cognitive tunneling. For instance, airline pilots employ the mental model “I’m Safe” to make sure they don’t forget to perform crucial pre-flight inspections. This idea can help us improve our focus and decision-making when we apply it to our own tasks.

4. Goal Setting

Setting realistic goals is a key component of productivity. The term “SMART goals” (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is introduced by Duhigg, who also highlights how establishing specific, well-defined goals can boost motivation and productivity.

He also explores the idea of “stretch goals,” which are challenging targets that require people or teams to go beyond their comfort zones. Stretch goals have the power to inspire great motivation and produce amazing results.

5. Managing Others

Duhigg next examines the art of delegation and the art of decision-making in effective leadership. He introduces the idea of “cognitive closure,” which refers to our need for prompt, decisive responses. However, he also cautions that making snap judgments frequently results in mistakes being made.

According to Duhigg, managers should strike a balance between making decisions and inviting input from their people. He cites how the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) utilizes “active listening” and group decision-making by to avoid mistakes in high-stakes scenarios.

6. Innovation

Innovation is a major force behind development and productivity. In his discussion of the idea of “innovation by accident,” Duhigg explains how unanticipated discoveries might result in game-changing technologies. He offers 3M’s creation of Post-it Notes as an excellent example of this.

Duhigg also discusses the concept of “disruptive innovation,” which entails developing goods or services that upend the existing status quo and frequently result in important developments in business and technology. Through the development of products that completely transform whole industries, businesses like Apple have mastered the art of disruptive innovation.

7. Absorbing Data

Understanding effective data processing and data absorption techniques is essential in the age of information overload. The term “cognitive load” — which refers to the mental work needed to process information — is originated by Duhigg. He advises developing mental frameworks and models to assist in the organization of complex material in order to lessen the cognitive burden.

In order to make better decisions, Duhigg also stresses the significance of having the appropriate questions and looking for different viewpoints. We can improve our ability to process information and make wise decisions by actively seeking out information and testing our presumptions.

8. Managing Others II

Duhigg digs deep into the idea of “psychological safety” within businesses, building on the ideas of leadership and decision-making from the previous chapters. He stresses that managers must foster a climate in which staff members feel free to voice their ideas and concerns.

Duhigg also explains the “Five Whys” method of problem-solving, which entails constantly asking “why” in order to identify the source of a problem. This method can assist businesses in more efficiently identifying and resolving underlying issues.

Becoming Smarter, Faster, and Better

Charles Duhigg’s book “Smarter Faster Better” has a wealth of information about the psychology and science of productivity. The principles presented in this book offer helpful advice whether you’re trying to increase your own productivity, lead teams more skillfully, or promote creativity in your company.

You can start on your own path of improvement in all areas of your life and job by realizing the value of motivation, efficient teamwork, attention, goal-setting, decision-making, innovation, and data absorption. Remember that productivity is about working smarter, not harder, and Duhigg’s book is a great resource to help you get there.

Good luck and keep learning!

Too busy to sit down and read? You can enjoy “Smarter Faster Better” as an audiobook for free! Get smarter while you’re driving, exercising or just relaxing.