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Writer's pictureDr. Sara Reed

Week #27 of 52 of Reading in 2024

📚 Over halfway through the year … Week #27 of 52 of reading. So many books, so little time. 



"Do Nothing” by Celeste Headlee (she/her) 


✔️ “cult of efficiency” … and how we are all caught up in it. 


🤔 The feeling of being productive is not the same as actually producing something. 


📸 Not every moment needs to go on your “resume of life” or be Instagram-worthy


😓 Your purpose does not have to be tied to your job. 


‼️ Inherent human needs: social skills, and language; the need to belong that fosters empathy; rule making, music, and play. 


🤯 Break the efficiency addiction: stop comparing yourself to others 


🧠 The human brain is capable of amazing things … when in the right conditions (and many workplaces are not those conditions). 


‼️ Consensus is about being comfortable and avoiding arguments, but it rarely creates space for innovation.


—————-


Good Girls Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson



It’s fun to read what my big kids are reading … so I found myself back in the YA genre for a few days AND a real book (vs. my Kindle). A fun read with unexpected twists. I also felt like it met Celeste’s guide towards leisure too.


——- 


Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters” by Charan Ranganath 



I found my way to this book through Adam Grant’s WorkLife podcast. 


I am fascinated about how our brains work - what we experience consciously &

unconsciously.


Some learning moments: 


‼️ The happiness & satisfaction we gain from the outcomes of our decisions is not from what we experienced but from what we remember. 


🤯 Memory is the prism through which we see ourselves, others & the world. 


😳 When we face an onslaught of information, our memory for an event becomes cluttered. 


⭐️ Rumination is the evil twin of nostalgia. 


😲 When something is unexpected, it can motivate us to explore. (I experienced this motivation during my recent unplanned trip to Iceland.)


🤔 The concept of error-driven learning: we are wired to learn from mistakes & challenges. (This concept connects me to Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety & her recent book).


💤 Sleep is important for our brains & memories 


⚠️ Those who have the power & privilege to speak first, speak the most & speak most confidently will shape the collective narrative. 


🛑 Our memories can be skewed by the loudest voice in the room. 


———-

Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle 


Sometimes when I talk with people about reading, they say I only read fiction. First, for most of my life, I also only read fiction. It was the curiosity triggered by my doctoral studies & a project given to me by Douglas Drakeley that spurred a personal interest into a calling. 


Second, I ❤️ reading all kinds of fiction. This one tugged at my heart, kept me guessing & reminded me of the often layered complexities of humans. May we all remember to challenge ourselves on what we think we know about those around us, even our closest friends. 




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