This month
I’ve been bothering everyone I know—from colleagues to friends to chatty Lyft drivers—for their self-dev life hacks. Quite a few people came through with smart ideas, so without further fuss, let’s get right to the best of them!Jon, SEO wiz:
I use empowering phrases as my work passwords.(This brilliant idea inspired this newsletter’s theme.)
Dani, PR pro:
When you set up FaceID in iPhone, it’s really fun to set it up smiling. Then every time you unlock your phone, you unknowingly smile! Think of how many smiles we can incorporate into each day!
Tricia, Audible Editor:
I park in the farthest-away spot to force myself to exercise.
Julia, Humanitarian & my cool cousin:
I've started using stop lights as a reminder to take deep breaths.
Melissa, Audible Editor:
I think of commuting as a bit of traveling I get to do every day. It has really shaped my outlook toward my commute.
Criste, Sales Director extraordinaire:
I use my phone as my alarm in the morning. I set messages like ‘Do good today’ and ‘Enjoy a lovely day.’ Come morning, I’ve forgotten what they are, so I’m always slightly delighted.
Brann, god-tier Visual Designer:
I have Maurice Sendak's illustration of Pierre and the Lion as my phone’s lock screen to remind me to pause and care a bit more about the people and things around me.
Monark, Lyft driver:
You work for Audible! I love Audible! I try out things I learn from books on my passengers, like active listening.(He was definitely a good listener.)
As for me? I regularly turn chores into daily listening opportunities. I always try to leave each space I occupy a little cleaner than the way I found it. But most importantly: I follow Mel Robbins’s Five Second Rule when it comes to procrastination. (Speaking of Mel… guess which self development superstar has a new listen this month!)
-
Work It Out
- The New Rules for Women to Get Ahead at Work
- By: Mel Robbins
- Narrated by: Mel Robbins
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2,612
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,293
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2,276
Women get mixed messages about how to succeed at work, and research shows that much of the career advice aimed at men doesn't even work for women. We’re left wondering: How do you say no without being labeled difficult? How do you get paid what you’re worth? Should you go for that next big promotion, even though it’ll impact your family? Known for being 2018’s most-booked female speaker in the world and now a nationally-syndicated talk show host, Mel Robbins answers these questions and more with research-based strategies that you can put into action immediately.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
I love Mel Robbins!
- By The Quirky Ferret on 11-05-19
Mel's back!!
Since most of my colleagues are women (and because I want to be a decent guy), it’s important to me to stay informed about women’s workplace issues, which is one reason why Work It Out has been on my to-listen list since its announcement. The other reason? Mel is the rock star of the self development world—to the point where every release of hers feels like a must-listen, and Work It Out is no exception. Mel provides practical advice on negotiating work-life balance, career advancement, pay disparity, and workplace visibility—all with her trademark candor and sense of humor. (If you’re clamoring for even more Mel, let this handy infographic be your guide.)
Get to Work
-
Conspiracies & Conspiracy Theories
- What We Should and Shouldn't Believe - and Why
- By: Michael Shermer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Michael Shermer
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,033
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,774
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,761
The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
No chapter titles!!???
- By Nomad of the World on 09-21-19
Don't get conned by conspiracy theories
I’ll be honest with you: I loathe conspiracy theories. In an era of so-called fake news,
social media echo chambers, disinformation campaigns, and polarized politics, I feel it’s more important than ever to be objective about every bit of information that reaches us. Therefore, my motivation for listening to Conspiracies & Conspiracy Theories centered on being better prepared to debunk popular theories that crop up. In this regard, the Great Course hits the mark: many of the theories covered herein are ones we’ll recognize from the headlines (and our weird cousins). One of my favorite lectures from the collection offers a Detection Kit
for conspiracies. It’s a picture-perfect rundown of the tell-tale signs of shoddy theorizing, and I especially appreciated author Michael Shermer’s numerical ranking system for believability.
Get the Facts
-
The Infinite Game
- By: Simon Sinek
- Narrated by: Simon Sinek
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 12,744
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 10,941
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 10,848
Finite games, like football or chess, have known players, fixed rules, and a clear endpoint. The winners and losers are easily identified. Infinite games, games with no finish line, like business or politics, or life itself, have players who come and go. The rules of an infinite game are changeable, while infinite games have no defined endpoint. There are no winners or losers - only ahead and behind. The question is, how do we play to succeed in the game we’re in? In this revelatory new audiobook, Simon Sinek offers a framework for leading with an infinite mindset.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
I love Sinek but...
- By Amazon Customer on 11-11-19
An entirely different view of work
I love Editor Michael Duke’s take on The Infinite Game for this month’s Editors Select: Simon Sinek is a magnetic speaker. He boils down complicated business trends into simple language, and presents them in a calm measured manner that makes it both fun to listen to and easy to come to terms with… Sinek delivers the big ideas that can help each of us better understand what we are working for. If you are looking for something to challenge routine thinking, and help you adjust your mindset—whether it be towards your work, personal life, or otherwise—this is an excellent place to start.
Give It a Listen
-
The Power of Vital Force
- Fuel Your Energy, Purpose, and Performance with Ancient Secrets of Breath and Meditation
- By: Rajshree Patel
- Narrated by: Rajshree Patel
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 67
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 58
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58
Some call it the zest, the gusto, or the extra edge in life. The ancient Indian spiritual tradition Vedanta calls it prana, or life force. We can call it vital force. In modern life, we have forgotten the golden key - the higher our energy, the better our performance in everything we do. Energy naturally impacts mind-set and moves us toward greater happiness, success, and self-awareness. This book gives you back your power with simple tools to take hold of the limitless energy of life itself - more swiftly and easily than you ever thought possible.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Very Light on How To
- By jeffrey j. on 10-10-19
Vital listening
I got a great recommendation from my Audible colleague, Aniket, for a title that slipped under my radar: The Power of Vital Force. In Aniket’s own words: Rajshree Patel has distilled ancient Yogic and Vedic secrets in an accessible modern context through her debut book. She makes a compelling case for the busy reader to dive within, providing simple techniques to access the very energy that helps us thrive in life. The individual chapters cover captivating topics like ancient biohacking, a machine called mind, the secret of life, living your inner superpowers, mastering your mindset, from fighting to flowing—just to name a few. But one of the most interesting takes might be about ancient Vedic techniques, which, unlike mindfulness, help us access the deep well of vital force within us that is waiting to be harnessed.
Dive Deep
New & Noteworthy Releases
-
Mindfulness
- A Detailed Beginner’s Guide on How to Break Free from Anxiety and Panic Through Mindfulness
- By: Carlie Maxim
- Narrated by: Jack Powell
- Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4
Mindfulness is the easy way to gently release stress, stay happy, and be in the moment. It has quickly become the slow way to drive the modern world without chanting mantra or finding hours of special time to meditate. Bring these simple practices 5 to ten minutes in your day to find freedom from stress and ultimately more peace in your life. In this thoughtful and direct audiobook, Carlie shares with us the principles of effective mindfulness, that is direct and applicable to all, and helps us to connect with our true nature.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I'm glad to hear about those methods by this book
- By Crystal Nguyen on 10-07-19
-
Super Attractor
- Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
- By: Gabrielle Bernstein
- Narrated by: Gabrielle Bernstein
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,844
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5,716
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,666
Ready to turn what you want into the life that you live? The number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Universe Has Your Back shows you how. In Super Attractor, Gabrielle Bernstein lays out the essential methods for manifesting a life beyond your wildest dreams. This book is a journey of remembering where your true power lies. You'll learn how to co-create the life you want. You'll accept that life can flow, that attracting is fun, and that you don't have to work so hard to get what you want.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Not a huge fan
- By Pamela H on 09-30-19
-
50 Essential Etiquette Lessons
- How to Eat Lunch with Your Boss, Handle Happy Hour Like a Pro, and Write a Thank You Note in the Age of Texting and Tweeting
- By: Katherine Flannery
- Narrated by: Brittany Wilkerson
- Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 51
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 37
Meeting strangers at a party, alone in the elevator with the CEO, declining a second date because the first was a disaster - social situations apply a lot of pressure to do and say the right thing. 50 Essential Etiquette Lessons shows you the best way to approach these common challenges with confidence and ease. Never mind putting your pinkies up when you drink tea - this guide is packed with modern examples of how to handle any sticky situation.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Some good info, negative tone
- By Kathryn Lucas on 06-18-22
-
Talking to Strangers
- What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know
- By: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 70,431
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 60,981
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 60,616
How did Fidel Castro fool the CIA for a generation? Why did Neville Chamberlain think he could trust Adolf Hitler? Why are campus sexual assaults on the rise? Do television sitcoms teach us something about the way we relate to each other that isn't true? While tackling these questions, Malcolm Gladwell was not solely writing a book for the page. He was also producing for the ear. In the audiobook version of Talking to Strangers, you’ll hear the voices of people he interviewed - scientists, criminologists, military psychologists.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Enjoyable listen with some facts incorrect
- By Jim on 09-11-19
-
Mindfulness
- A Detailed Beginner’s Guide on How to Break Free from Anxiety and Panic Through Mindfulness
- By: Carlie Maxim
- Narrated by: Jack Powell
- Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4
Mindfulness is the easy way to gently release stress, stay happy, and be in the moment. It has quickly become the slow way to drive the modern world without chanting mantra or finding hours of special time to meditate. Bring these simple practices 5 to ten minutes in your day to find freedom from stress and ultimately more peace in your life. In this thoughtful and direct audiobook, Carlie shares with us the principles of effective mindfulness, that is direct and applicable to all, and helps us to connect with our true nature.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I'm glad to hear about those methods by this book
- By Crystal Nguyen on 10-07-19
-
Super Attractor
- Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
- By: Gabrielle Bernstein
- Narrated by: Gabrielle Bernstein
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,844
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5,716
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,666
Ready to turn what you want into the life that you live? The number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Universe Has Your Back shows you how. In Super Attractor, Gabrielle Bernstein lays out the essential methods for manifesting a life beyond your wildest dreams. This book is a journey of remembering where your true power lies. You'll learn how to co-create the life you want. You'll accept that life can flow, that attracting is fun, and that you don't have to work so hard to get what you want.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Not a huge fan
- By Pamela H on 09-30-19
-
50 Essential Etiquette Lessons
- How to Eat Lunch with Your Boss, Handle Happy Hour Like a Pro, and Write a Thank You Note in the Age of Texting and Tweeting
- By: Katherine Flannery
- Narrated by: Brittany Wilkerson
- Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 51
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 37
Meeting strangers at a party, alone in the elevator with the CEO, declining a second date because the first was a disaster - social situations apply a lot of pressure to do and say the right thing. 50 Essential Etiquette Lessons shows you the best way to approach these common challenges with confidence and ease. Never mind putting your pinkies up when you drink tea - this guide is packed with modern examples of how to handle any sticky situation.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Some good info, negative tone
- By Kathryn Lucas on 06-18-22
-
Talking to Strangers
- What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know
- By: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 70,431
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 60,981
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 60,616
How did Fidel Castro fool the CIA for a generation? Why did Neville Chamberlain think he could trust Adolf Hitler? Why are campus sexual assaults on the rise? Do television sitcoms teach us something about the way we relate to each other that isn't true? While tackling these questions, Malcolm Gladwell was not solely writing a book for the page. He was also producing for the ear. In the audiobook version of Talking to Strangers, you’ll hear the voices of people he interviewed - scientists, criminologists, military psychologists.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Enjoyable listen with some facts incorrect
- By Jim on 09-11-19