Synopses & Reviews
When you understand how the mind works, you can think smarterand act smarter. Based on the precepts of cognitive science and drawing on a half century of interdisciplinary studies, Smart Thinking is the first book to reveal a three-part formula that distinguishes Smart Thinking from innate intelligence and shows how memory works, how to learn effectively, and how to use knowledge when you need to get things done.
Beginning with defining the difference between Smart Thinking and innate or raw intelligence, cognitive psychologist Art Markman demonstrates how it is possible to learn Smart Thinking that you can apply to the real world.
This engaging and practical book introduces a three-part formula for Smart Thinking, which demonstrates how anyone can:
Develop Smart Habits
Acquire High-Quality Knowledge
Use High-Quality Knowledge when needed
Smart Thinking explores each part of the Smart Thinking formula and provides:
An understanding of how the mind works and the means to replace self-limiting habits with those that foster Smart Thinking
Insights into how memory functions and how to improve the quality of what you learn
Ways to present new information effectively
Specific techniques for improving your understanding of how the world works
The ability to define and solve problems by finding the relevant knowledge from any area of expertise and applying it effectively
Drawing on multiple research disciplines, including psychology, artificial intelligence, philosophy, neuroscience, learning sciences, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and education, Markman provides insights into the functioning of the mind and synthesizes this understanding into practical tools and exercises that develop new skills and achieve personal goals. The book culminates in tips for creating a Culture of Smart to make everyone in an organization more effective.
Review
"Markman provides a helpful guide for developing smarter habits, and ultimately, a smarter, more fulfilling life of learning."
—Charles Ealy, Austin American
Review
"…the book is an easy read, though rewards re-reading. Unlike many of these 'Think yourself smarter' books, this one has lots of good advice, and feels like it relies on primary sources more than secondary. In fact, I bet I end up reading a lot of what is in this book, taken out of context by 'Think yourself successful' gurus. Save time, read it here, at the source."
---Tom Otley, The Business Traveler
Review
"
Smart Thinking teaches people how their minds work so they can be more effective performers at work and at life. An essential read for anyone who wants to operate at their best, think outside the box, and accomplish whatever goals they set out to achieve."
---Sian Beilock, PhD, author of Choke
Review
“If you want to be more creative, if you want to be an innovator, this is the book for you. Creativity doesn't fall out of the sky. It favors the prepared mind. This book prepares your mind.”
---Hara Estroff Marano, author of A Nation of Wimps
Review
“What does thinking quickly create a positive mood? Are goals contagious? How do you create a culture of smart thinking? Building on decades of research in cognitive psychology and replete with stories and practical tools, Markman answers these questions and in doing so teaches you how to learn. Once finished, you’ll feel smarter. Consider it an owner’s manual to the mind.”
---Jennifer Lynn Aaker, General Atlantic Professor of Marketing, Stanford GSB and author of The Dragonfly Effect
Review
“Smart Thinking not only enriches the literature on human thought--and its foibles--it takes it to the next level, offering clear prescriptions for how to sharpen memory, analysis and creativity in our daily lives.”
---Wray Herbert, author of On Second Thought: Outsmarting Your Mind's Hard-Wired Habits
Review
"Technology promises to make our lives easier and more efficient, but too often it has just the opposite effect - we feel rushed, harried, “always on,” and we take refuge in bad habits like procrastination. If this sounds like you, you need to try
Smart Change. Its based on the science of motivation and designed to tap into our habit-forming circuits and use them to create a more satisfying life.”
—Daniel H. Pink, To Sell is Human and Drive
"Full of tools to help you change your behavior. Youll reorganize your life, and be on your way to a healthier you, and not just for the next week. This book will have lasting impact."
—Dr. Mike Roizen, Real
Synopsis
Think smart people are just born that way? Think again.
Drawing on diverse studies of the mind, from psychology to linguistics, philosophy, and learning science, Art Markman, Ph.D., demonstrates the difference between "smart thinking" and raw intelligence, showing readers how memory works, how to learn effectively, and how to use knowledge to get things done. He then introduces his own three-part formula for readers to employ "smart thinking" in their daily lives.
Smart Thinking gives readers:
- The means to replace self-limiting habits with new behaviors that foster smart thinking
- An understanding of the mind itself as well as memory
- The ability to define and solve problems by finding and applying relevant knowledge
- Ways to present and process information effectively
Synopsis
With
Who Moved My Cheese? Dr. Spencer Johnson realizes the need for finding the language and tools to deal with change--an issue that makes all of us nervous and uncomfortable.
Most people are fearful of change because they don't believe they have any control over how or when it happens to them. Since change happens either to the individual or by the individual, Spencer Johnson shows us that what matters most is the attitude we have about change.
When the Y2K panic gripped the corporate realm before the new millenium, most work environments finally recognized the urgent need to get their computers and other business systems up to speed and able to deal with unprecedented change. And businesses realized that this was not enough: they needed to help people get ready, too.
Spencer Johnson has created his new book to do just that. The coauthor of the multimillion bestseller The One Minute Manager has written a deceptively simple story with a dramatically important message that can radically alter the way we cope with change. Who Moved My Cheese? allows for common themes to become topics for discussion and individual interpretation.
Who Moved My Cheese? takes the fear and anxiety out of managing the future and shows people a simple way to successfully deal with the changing times, providing them with a method for moving ahead with their work and lives safely and effectively.
Synopsis
A fully revised and updated installment from the bestselling author of The Oz Principle Series. Two-time New York Times bestselling authors Roger Connors and Tom Smith show how leaders can achieve record-breaking results by quickly and effectively shaping their organizational culture to capitalize on their greatest asset-their people.
Change the Culture, Change the Game joins their classic book, The Oz Principle, and their recent bestseller, How Did That Happen?, to complete the most comprehensive series ever written on workplace accountability. Based on an earlier book, Journey to the Emerald City, this fully revised installment captures what the authors have learned while working with the hundreds of thousands of people on using organizational culture as a strategic advantage.
Synopsis
An insightful guide that shows how habits of behavior are formed, and how we can transform bad habits into positive behaviors in ourselves and others.
Smart Change explores the psychological mechanisms that form and maintain habits in individuals and groups and offers real, accessible and actionable advice for changing habits. In an engaging narrative, Markman covers a wide range of habits, from individual behaviors like eating better and exercising regularly to work-related behaviors such as learning effectively and influencing customers purchases. He proposes that there are five effective tools to help individuals change behavior and to help people influence the habits of the people around them:
1. Tame the Go” system: Identify the triggers of habits, replace old behaviors with new ones and generate specific plans to deal with obstacles.
2. Harness the Stop” system: Learn to deal with stress and other factors that hinder the development of new and positive habits.
3. Optimize your goals. Determine the course of behavior change and how to successfully incorporate those changes for the long term.
4. Manage your environment: Change your surroundings to dramatically reduce poor behavior and habits.
5. Engage your Neighbors: To affect other peoples behavior, understand the shared culture that creates a mutual dependency, and allows neighbors and colleagues to have a profound positive influence on the behavior of other members of their community.
About the Author
Spencer Johnson, M.D., is the originator of The One Minute Manager System ™ and co-author of
The New York Times bestsellers
The One Minute Manager ®, The One Minute Sales Person, and
One Minute for Myself. His other bestsellers include
Who Moved My Cheese?; The Precious Present; and
Yes or No: The Guide to Better Decisions.
He has written more than two dozen books dealing with medicine and the behavioral sciences, and has millions of copies of his books in print in twenty-six languages, including the popular children’s book series ValueTales ™.
Dr. Johnson received a B.A. degree in psychology from the University of Southern California, an M.D. from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and medical clerkships at Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic. He lives with his family in Hawaii.
Few names are as recognized in American business as Ken Blanchards. His One Minute Manager ® Library has sold millions of copies and been translated into more than twenty languages, and he has written or co-authored a number of other popular books as well. Ken is a captivating and sought-after speaker and business consultant, who has shared his unique approach with a multitude of Fortune 500 companies.
Ken has received many awards in management and leadership. He has won the National Speakers Associations highest honor, the “Council of Peers Award for Excellence,” and the Golden Gavel from Toastmasters International, and was inducted into the HRD Hall of Fame.
Table of Contents
Parts of All of Us The Story Behind the Story
by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. A Gathering: Chicago
The Story of Who Moved My Cheese?
Four Characters
Finding Cheese
No Cheese!
The Mice: Sniff and Scurry
The Littlepeople: Hem and Haw
Meanwhile, Back in the Maze
Getting Beyond Fear
Enjoying the Adventure
Moving with the Cheese
The Handwriting on the Wall
Tasting New Cheese
Enjoying Change!
A Discussion: Later That Same Day
Share It With Others
About the Author