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A personal blog.

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  • Thu 20 January 2022
  • Books

The Distracted Mind by A. Gazzaley and L. D. Rosen

In their book, Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen explain that our cognitive control abilities required to accomplish goals have not developed to the same degree as our executive functions used for goal setting. We have limitations in distributing and sustaining attention, working memory capacity and fidelity, and in managing …

  • Tue 04 January 2022
  • Blog

On Goal Setting

There are several problems with goal setting, especially when it comes to material accomplishments. First, we mistakenly assume that achieving a particular goal will make us happier, once and for all. But, on the contrary, happiness level returns to normal not long after attaining the desired thing. Second, we choose …

  • Tue 24 August 2021
  • Books

Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth R. Miller

A molecular biologist and Roman Catholic at the same time, Kenneth R. Miller, sets out to answer the question: Can evolution and God coexist? To begin with, he explains the basic principles of the evolution theory and provides some scientific evidence in support of its validity. Then, he goes on …

Why We Do What We Do by Edward Deci

In his excellent book Why We Do What We Do, based on empirical research, Edward Deci shows that intrinsic motivation is much more effective than extrinsic motivation. Contrary to the behaviorist dogma, self-motivation underlies successful learning, creativity, responsibility, healthy behavior, and long-lasting change. It comes from innate psychological needs. The …

  • Fri 11 June 2021
  • Blog

Education vs. Training

In book "Management of the Absurd", Richard Farson argues that leaders cannot be trained, they can only be educated. He points out to important distinsctions between training and education (in human relations, at least): "Training, as we know, leads to the development of skills and techniques [which] don't work well …

  • Fri 02 April 2021
  • Books

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

In this unusual non-fiction book, full of metaphors and insights, Steven Pressfield argues that each of us has a specific work to do. It might be writing, painting, starting a business venture, etc. The work can be recognized by the fear it causes in us. The greater the fear, the …

  • Mon 15 March 2021
  • Blog

Pull Smartsheet data into Google Sheets

This is a follow-up on this post. Since the time I published it, I've made a couple of improvements that I wanted to share here. First, I've started using Smartsheet reports as the data source instead of sheets. It's because there might be occasional changes to the underlying sheet (like …

  • Sun 28 February 2021
  • Books

The Data Loom by Stephen Few

Stephen Few, who has written excellent books on visualizing numerical data, focuses on data sensemaking in this book. The author argues: mastering modern analysis tools is not enough to understand the data; we still need to train the thinking skills. Most important of these are critical and scientific thinking skills …

  • Tue 16 February 2021
  • Books

Deep Work by Cal Newport

In this book, Cal Newport shows that cognitively demanding intellectual work, that is deep work, is extremely valuable and rare at the same time. This includes rapid acquiring of new skills and gaining complex knowledge, as well as producing at a high quality level. If we prioritize this kind of …

  • Tue 16 February 2021
  • Blog

Deep Work - My Five Cents

Cal Newport has made a strong case in his book for why deep work is valuable but rare. I was especially impressed by the arguments for why this type of activity is meaningful. For my part, I can say that when I manage to carve out several long blocks (at …