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Cal Newport – Slow Productivity: Executive Summary

  Slow Productivity is a work philosophy that argues that the path to sustainable, high-quality output is doing fewer things, working at a natural (human) pace, and obsessively focusing on quality rather than speed, overload, or busyness. Newport’s thesis: Modern knowledge work suffers from the “productivity hysteria”—too many tasks, constant context-switching, and pressure for visible busyness, leading to shallow output and eventual burnout. Slow Productivity seeks to create an environment where individuals and teams can produce consistently exceptional work without exhausting themselves. Three Core Principles 1. Do Fewer Things Reduce active projects and commitments to create space for depth. Why: Cognitive load is limited; too many simultaneous obligations kills creativity and execution speed. How: Limit yourself (and teams) to a small number of active projects. Use “project rotations” — focus intensely on 1–2 at a time. Aggressively eliminate low-value task...
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The Japanese swear by these 5 habits to live a long, healthy life

Nutritionist shares how many eggs per day a healthy adult should have, warns about 2 common mistakes   Discover the life-changing lessons hidden within Japanese culture. (Source: Freepik) Japan, a land steeped in tradition and modernity, offers invaluable life lessons that can enrich our daily experiences. From the serene practice of mindfulness to the meticulous attention to detail, Japanese culture provides a roadmap to a more fulfilling life. Incorporating certain Japanese habits  into our lives can significantly enhance our overall well-being and quality of life. Here are 5 you can try out: 1. Mindfulness and Gratitude: A Path to Inner Peace Central to Japanese culture is the concept of mindfulness, embodied in practices like meditation and tea ceremonies. By cultivating a deep appreciation for the present moment, you can reduce stress, enhance focus, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Gratitude, another cornerstone of Japanese philosophy, fosters contentment and a posi...

Fahrenheit451 Summary

  1. Fahrenheit 451 is set in a future dystopian society where books are banned, and “firemen” are assigned not to put out fires but to burn the books that are found. People live shallow, distracted lives, constantly entertained by giant TV screens, fast cars, and meaningless chatter. Independent thinking is discouraged, and society avoids anything that might cause discomfort or stir emotions. 2. Guy Montag, the protagonist, is a fireman who initially takes pride in his job. He enjoys the spectacle of burning books, believing he is helping maintain social order. His life is routine, mechanical, and emotionally empty. He rarely questions the world around him or the purpose of his work. 3. Everything begins to change when Montag meets Clarisse McClellan, a curious, free-spirited teenage girl who asks him simple but probing questions like, “Are you happy?” Her curiosity, love of nature, and habit of thinking deeply contrast sharply with society’s numbness. She awakens something ...

FMCG Journey --- Peshwa Acharya

  My journey – I shall talk about my journey and this had a lot lessons for me, sure you too will gain 10-12 years were FMCG – my learnings – P&G, Reckitt, Balsara Some best practices of customer interactions come from FMCG Sales distribution (Fulfilment) and marketing (generating) In life common sense is not common, simple things are not made to be simple Difference between brand and commodity, happens due to marketing The importance of brand emerges there Brand managers are considered important, they are groomed as BRAND CEOs All P&G brands are built Dettol brand manager is like a CEO of Dettol So are for every brand at P&G – Everything for the brand he is responsible Holi grail of marketing Structured Process, defined and followed Packaging and PR comes next Writing creative brief “If you are not able to put a process in one page, you cannot exist” Ability to convert thoughts into one sheet of paper is very important and key to execution Writing an inverted memo In s...

Peace Is Every Step — Summary (Thich Nhat Hanh)

 Thich Nhat Hanh shows that peace is not a goal for the future — it is something you can touch right now through mindful awareness. The book teaches how to use everyday activities to cultivate calm, compassion, and joy. 1. Peace Begins With a Single Breath Mindfulness of breathing is the foundation. Nhat Hanh teaches: “Breathing in, I calm my body Breathing out, I smile.” A mindful breath brings you back to the present, reduces stress, and creates clarity. 2. The Present Moment Is the Only Place Peace Exists Most suffering comes from: Dwelling on the past Worrying about the future Rushing through life on autopilot Returning to “the here and the now” brings peace instantly. 3. Mindfulness in Everyday Activities Inner peace is built through simple daily mindfulness . He teaches mindful: Walking Eating Sitting Washing dishes Listening to others Even smiling Every activity becomes a chance to return to yourself. 4. Smile — It Is a ...