Smarter faster better : the secrets of being productive in life and business

**From the author of the __New York Times__ bestselling phenomenon __The Power of Habit__ comes a fascinating new book that explores the science of productivity, and why, in today’s world, managing __how__ you think—rather than __what__ you think—can transform your life.** At the core of __Smarter Faster Better__ are eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics—as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters—this painstakingly researched book explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways.A young woman drops out of a PhD program and starts playing poker. By training herself to envision contradictory futures, she learns to anticipate her opponents’ missteps—and becomes one of the most successful players in the world. A group of data scientists at Google embark on a four-year study of how the best teams function, and find that __how__ a group interacts is more important than __who__ is in the group—a principle, it turns out, that also helps explain why __Saturday Night Live__ became a hit. A Marine Corps general, faced with low morale among recruits, reimagines boot camp—and discovers that instilling a “bias toward action” can turn even the most directionless teenagers into self-motivating achievers. The filmmakers behind Disney’s __Frozen__ are nearly out of time and on the brink of catastrophe—until they shake up their team in just the right way, spurring a creative breakthrough that leads to one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. What do these people have in common? They know that productivity relies on making certain choices. The way we frame our daily decisions; the big ambitions we embrace and the easy goals we ignore; the cultures we establish as leaders to drive innovation; the way we interact with data: These are the things that separate the merely busy from the genuinely productive.In __The Power of Habit,__ Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In __Smarter Faster Better,__ he applies the same relentless curiosity, deep reporting, and rich storytelling to explain how we can improve at the things we do. It’s a groundbreaking exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help anyone learn to succeed with less stress and struggle, and to get more done without sacrificing what we care about most—to become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do.**Advance praise for __Smarter Faster Better__** “As he did in __The Power of Habit,__ Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories to give us a fuller, more human way of thinking about how productivity actually happens.”**—Susan Cain, author of __Quiet__** “Duhigg uses engaging storytelling to highlight fascinating research and core principles that we can all learn and use in our daily lives. A masterful must-read for anyone who wants to get more (and more creative) stuff done.”**—David Allen, author of __Getting Things Done__** “Duhigg has a gift for asking just the right question, and then igniting the same curiosity in the rest of us. In __Smarter Faster Better__ he finds provocative answers to a riddle of our age.”**—Jim Collins, author of __Good to Great__** From the author of the New York Times bestselling phenomenon The Power of Habit comes a fascinating new book that explores the science of productivity, and why, in today's world, managing how you think?rather than what you think?can transform your life. A young woman drops out of a PhD program and starts playing poker. By training herself to envision contradictory futures, she learns to anticipate her opponents' missteps?and becomes one of the most successful players in the world. A group of data scientists at Google embark on a four-year study of how the best teams function, and find that how a group interacts is more important than who is in the group?a principle, it turns out, that also helps explain why Saturday Night Live became a hit. A Marine Corps general, faced with low morale among recruits, reimagines boot camp?and discovers that instilling a "bias toward action" can turn even the most directionless teenagers into self-motivating achievers. The filmmakers behind Disney's Frozen are nearly out of time and on the brink of catastrophe?until they shake up their team in just the right way, spurring a creative breakthrough that leads to one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. What do these people have in common? They know that productivity relies on making certain choices. The way we frame our daily decisions; the big ambitions we embrace and the easy goals we ignore; the cultures we establish as leaders to drive innovation; the way we interact with data: These are the things that separate the merely busy from the genuinely productive. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts?from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making?that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics?as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters?this painstakingly researched book explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don't merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways. In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize?winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity, deep reporting, and rich storytelling to explain how we can improve at the things we do. It's a groundbreaking exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help anyone learn to succeed with less stress and struggle, and to get more done without sacrificing what we care about most?to become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do. Advance praise for Smarter Faster Better "As he did in The Power of Habit, Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories to give us a fuller, more human way of thinking about how productivity actually happens." ?Susan Cain, author of Quiet "Duhigg uses engaging storytelling to highlight fascinating research and core principles that we can all learn and use in our daily lives. A masterful must-read for anyone who wants to get more (and more creative) stuff done." ?David Allen, author of Getting Things Done "Duhigg has a gift for asking just the right question, and then igniting the same curiosity in the rest of us. In Smarter Faster Better he finds provocative answers to a riddle of our age." ?Jim Collins, author of.. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the author of The Power of Habit comes a fascinating book that explores the science of productivity, and why, in today's world, managing how you think?rather than what you think?can transform your life. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts?from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making?that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics?as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters?this painstakingly researched book explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don't merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways. A young woman drops out of a PhD program and starts playing poker. By training herself to envision contradictory futures, she learns to anticipate her opponents' missteps?and becomes one of the most successful players in the world. A group of data scientists at Google embark on a four-year study of how the best teams function, and find that how a group interacts is more important than who is in the group?a principle, it turns out, that also helps explain why Saturday Night Live became a hit. A Marine Corps general, faced with low morale among recruits, reimagines boot camp?and discovers that instilling a "bias toward action" can turn even the most directionless teenagers into self-motivating achievers. The filmmakers behind Disney's Frozen are nearly out of time and on the brink of catastrophe?until they shake up their team in just the right way, spurring a creative breakthrough that leads to one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. What do these people have in common? They know that productivity relies on making certain choices. The way we frame our daily decisions; the big ambitions we embrace and the easy goals we ignore; the cultures we establish as leaders to drive innovation; the way we interact with data: These are the things that separate the merely busy from the genuinely productive. In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize?winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity, deep reporting, and rich storytelling to explain how we can improve at the things we do. It's a groundbreaking exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help anyone learn to succeed with less stress and struggle, and to get more done without sacrificing what we care about most?to become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do. Praise for Smarter Faster Better "A pleasure to read . . . Duhigg's skill as a storyteller makes his book so engaging to read." ? The New York Times Book Review "Not only will Smarter Faster Better make you more efficient if you heed its tips, it will also save you the effort of reading many productivity books dedicated to the ideas inside." ? Bloomberg Businessweek "A generous mix of fascinating anecdotes and a romp through the academic literature . . . Duhigg is an effective storyteller with a knack for combining social science, fastidious reporting and entertaining anecdotes." ? The Economist "As he did in The Power of Habit, Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories." ?Susan Cain, author of.. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the author of The Power of Habit comes a fascinating book that explores the science of productivity, and why, in today's world, managing how you think?rather than what you think?can transform your life. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts?from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making?that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics?as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters?this painstakingly researched book explains that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don't merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways. A young woman drops out of a PhD program and starts playing poker. By training herself to envision contradictory futures, she learns to anticipate her opponents' missteps?and becomes one of the most successful players in the world. A group of data scientists at Google embark on a four-year study of how the best teams function, and find that how a group interacts is more important than who is in the group?a principle, it turns out, that also helps explain why Saturday Night Live became a hit. A Marine Corps general, faced with low morale among recruits, reimagines boot camp?and discovers that instilling a "bias toward action" can turn even the most directionless teenagers into self-motivating achievers. The filmmakers behind Disney's Frozen are nearly out of time and on the brink of catastrophe?until they shake up their team in just the right way, spurring a creative breakthrough that leads to one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. What do these people have in common? They know that productivity relies on making certain choices. The way we frame our daily decisions; the big ambitions we embrace and the easy goals we ignore; the cultures we establish as leaders to drive innovation; the way we interact with data: These are the things that separate the merely busy from the genuinely productive. In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize?winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity, deep reporting, and rich storytelling to explain how we can improve at the things we do. It's a groundbreaking exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help anyone learn to succeed with less stress and struggle, and to get more done without sacrificing what we care about most?to become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do. Praise for Smarter Faster Better "A pleasure to read ... Duhigg's skill as a storyteller makes his book so engaging to read."? The New York Times Book Review "Not only will Smarter Faster Better make you more efficient if you heed its tips, it will also save you the effort of reading many productivity books dedicated to the ideas inside."? Bloomberg Businessweek "A generous mix of fascinating anecdotes and a romp through the academic literature ... Duhigg is an effective storyteller with a knack for combining social science, fastidious reporting and entertaining anecdotes."? The Economist "As he did in The Power of Habit, Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories."?Susan Cain, author of .. A group of data scientists at Google embark on a four-year study of how the best teams function, and find that how a group interacts is much more important than who is in the group. A Marine Corps general, faced with low morale among recruits, reimagines boot camp -- and discovers that instilling a 'bias toward action' can turn even the most directionless teenagers into self-motivating achievers. The filmmakers behind Disney's Frozen are on the brink of catastrophe -- until they shake up their team in just the right way, spurring a creative breakthrough that leads to one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. What do these people have in common? They know that productivity relies on making certain choices. The way we frame our daily decisions; the big ambitions we embrace and the easy goals we ignore; the cultures we establish as leaders to drive innovation: these are the things that separate the merely busy from the genuinely productive. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts -- from motivation and goal-setting to focus and decision-making -- that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology and behavioural economics -- as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, airplane pilots and Broadway songwriters -- author Charles Duhigg explains that the most productive people, companies and organizations don't merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways.;Motivation: Reimagining boot camp, nursing home rebellions, and the locus of control -- Teams: Psychological safety at Google and Saturday Night Live -- Focus: Cognitive tunneling, Air France Flight 447, and the power of mental models -- Goal setting: Smart goals, stretch goals, and the Yom Kippur War -- Managing others: Solving a kidnapping with lean and agile thinking and a culture of trust -- Decision making: Forecasting the future (and winning at poker) with Bayesian psychology -- Innovation: How idea brokers and creative desperation saved Disney's Frozen -- Absorbing data: Turning information into knowledge in Cincinnati's public schools. -- Appendix: A reader's guide to using these ideas. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators and “master of the life hack” (GQ) explores the fascinating science of productivity and offers real-world takeaways to apply your life, whether you're chasing peak productivity or simply trying to get back on track.“Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories to give us a fuller, more human way of thinking about how productivity actually happens.”—Susan Cain, author of Quiet In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity and rich storytelling to how we can improve at the things we do. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics—as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters—this book reveals that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don't merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways. Smarter Faster Better is a story-filled exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help us learn to succeed with less stress and struggle—and become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Power of Habit and “master of the life hack” ( GQ ) explores the fascinating science of productivity and offers real-world takeaways to apply your life, whether you’re chasing peak productivity or simply trying to get back on track. “Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories to give us a fuller, more human way of thinking about how productivity actually happens.”—Susan Cain, author of Quiet In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity and rich storytelling to how we can improve at the things we do. At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics—as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters—this book reveals that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways. Smarter Faster Better is a story-filled exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help us learn to succeed with less stress and struggle—and become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do. Redefining productivity as a discipline involving how one thinks, identifies goals, constructs teams, and makes decisions, explains how to transform thinking behaviors to increase self-motivation and shares illustrative examples.