Poczwardowski Notes

Poczwardowski Notes delves into problem-solving, decision-making, and self-improvement through the lens of book reviews, personal development, and practical advice for work and life. It encourages learning from diverse perspectives, embracing challenges, and enhancing skills like chess, public speaking, and writing for personal and professional growth.

Self-Improvement Book Reviews Decision Making Professional Development Personal Growth Leadership Problem Solving Public Speaking Time Management Writing Skills

The hottest Substack posts of Poczwardowski Notes

And their main takeaways

On Scary Chess

177 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Games Learning Self-Improvement Mistakes Judgment
  1. Playing chess is not about intelligence but about practice and a systematic approach to learning.
  2. Chess is a game of skill and strategy, with no luck involved. It's a battle of brains where the better prepared player usually wins.
  3. Overcoming fear of judgment can lead to valuable experiences. Trying new things, like learning chess, can be rewarding and fun.

On Writing at Work

118 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🚌 Education Writing Communication
  1. Clear messages in business writing are crucial for good understanding and execution.
  2. The 'Writing at Work Framework' consists of three steps: Prep, Tell, and Remove.
  3. When writing, it's important to focus on simplicity, clarity, and removing unnecessary words to enhance communication.

On Listening - Leadership & Work

59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🚌 Education Leadership Listening Attention Distractions Skill development
  1. Listening is about giving attention, not just hearing. Being present is crucial to improving listening skills.
  2. Let go of the urge to interrupt when thoughts pop up during a conversation. Instead, focus on truly listening before responding.
  3. The art of listening involves making others feel heard. Aim for positive listening experiences in your interactions.

On Concepts of Date and Time

78 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Time Space Imagination Technology
  1. In 1899, the SS Warrimoo crossed the equator and the international date line at midnight, leading to unique consequences for the ship.
  2. The story of the SS Warrimoo in 1899 is hard to verify due to technology limitations and lack of evidence, unlike the USS Topeka in 1999, which had precise measurement and documentation.
  3. These stories of ships straddling different dates and time zones remind us that concepts like date, time zones, and the international date line are human-made and help us cooperate effectively in our shared world.
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Book Review: “Clear Thinking" by Shane Parrish 5/5

78 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
đź“š Literature Book review Decision-making Philosophical Storytelling
  1. The book explores clear thinking and decision-making holistically, starting with self-awareness and strengths/weaknesses, delving into the decision-making process, and ending with a philosophical reflection on what truly matters.
  2. An interesting tool suggested in the book is creating a personal board of advisors in your head, made up of people you value and trust, to gain different perspectives when making decisions.
  3. The book shares a recipe for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary results, but emphasizes that success depends on our implementation of the concepts discussed.

Book Review: “Working Backwards” by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr 4/5

78 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
đź’Ľ Business Company Culture Innovation Product Development
  1. Amazon's success is attributed to its unique culture that fosters innovation and success in various domains.
  2. The book highlights Amazon's key principles, processes, and culture, and shares stories of successful product developments like Kindle, Prime, Prime Video, and AWS.
  3. Amazon's approach to creating new products, including using 'Working Backwards' method and the 'Narratives and the Six-Pagers' concept, showcases their emphasis on effective communication and clear thinking.

Book Review: "TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson 4/5

59 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
đź“š Literature Public Speaking Book review Writing Ideas
  1. Being a good public speaker takes hard work and dedication; it's about more than just the final performance.
  2. Public speaking is powerful as it allows us to transfer ideas from one mind to another.
  3. The book offers valuable tips on public speaking, backed by years of TED experience and real examples from TED talks.

Book Review: "The School of Life: An Emotional Education" 4/5

39 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
đź“š Literature Book review
  1. Emotions are deeply embedded in our behavior and influence everything we do, whether we acknowledge them or not.
  2. Being aware of our feelings can have a positive impact on various aspects of our lives.
  3. The book 'The School of Life: An Emotional Education' presents valuable insights and is recommended for those seeking to understand their behavior better.

Book Review: “Thinking in Bets” by Annie Duke 4/5

19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
đź“š Literature Book Reviews Decision-making Personal Growth
  1. Luck and randomness are significant factors in our lives and books that help in understanding this are valuable reads.
  2. Decisions should be separate from outcomes, and tools like backcasting and premortems can aid in making smarter choices.
  3. The book emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of decisions in the short term, medium term, and long term through the 10-10-10 rule.

Book Review: “Smart Choices” 4/5

19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
đź“š Literature Book review Decision-making Self-help
  1. Decision making is a skill that we learn through experience and not something we are born with.
  2. The book 'Smart Choices' provides a comprehensive guide to decision-making using the 'PrOACT' framework, covering problem, objectives, alternatives, consequences, and tradeoffs.
  3. The book emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between decisions and their outcomes, as a bad outcome does not always mean a bad decision was made.

Mental Models: tools supporting problem solvers for better decision making

39 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🚌 Education Decision-making Problem Solving Learning
  1. Using mental models can enhance decision-making by offering different perspectives and minimizing blind spots.
  2. Engaging with tools and frameworks like mental models can lead to improved problem-solving strategies.
  3. Learning from mistakes is valuable, but utilizing structured models like mental models can equip problem solvers with additional support.

Book Review: “Do You Talk Funny?” by David Nihill 4/5

19 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
đź“š Literature Book review Humor Public Speaking
  1. Emperor penguins are the tallest and heaviest penguins but are not as tall as imagined, at around 110 centimetres high.
  2. Children see the world with everything seemingly too big; having reference points helps understand size.
  3. The book 'Do You Talk Funny?' by David Nihill is practical, humorous, and emphasizes storytelling for memorable public speaking.

On Managing Expectations - Leadership & Work

1 HN point • 09 Feb 24
  1. Managing expectations is crucial in leadership and work. Clear expectations are key to keeping a team happy.
  2. Unmet expectations can lead to feelings of betrayal, cognitive dissonance, or loss of control and predictability.
  3. Be realistic about the future, point out uncertainties, understand your audience, and clarify doubts to manage expectations effectively as a sender and receiver.

Book Review: "Thinking in Systems: A Primer" by Donella H. Meadows 4/5

0 implied HN points • 17 Aug 21
🔬 Science Systems Thinking Environment Interconnectedness
  1. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to system thinking, starting with basic examples and progressing to more complex ones.
  2. Using system thinking lenses to view the world can be a valuable tool in understanding interconnected systems and forces at play.
  3. Perceiving the world as a network of interconnected systems is highlighted as an essential perspective, particularly by environmental scientist Donella Meadows, emphasizing the importance of understanding nature's complex connections.

Book Review: "The Biggest Bluff" by Maria Konnikova 4/5

0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 21
đź“š Literature Book review Psychology Science Personal Development Storytelling
  1. The game of poker, particularly Texas Hold'em, is compared to the game of life, supported by insights from John Von Neumann and game theory.
  2. The book blends research on learning, decision making, and human behavior with the author's personal journey, emotions, doubts, and humor.
  3. The author's experience of learning poker from scratch, with a world-class player as her teacher, adds an engaging aspect to the book.

Book Review: “Hell Yeah or No: What's Worth Doing” by Derek Sivers 4/5

0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
đź“š Literature Thoughts Productivity Perspectives Recommendation
  1. Derek Sivers shares thoughts on updating identity, focusing on productivity, and what's worth doing, among other things.
  2. His writing is clear and precise, leading to new perspectives and actionable tasks for readers.
  3. The book is recommended for anyone seeking interesting food for thought and practical life applications.

Book Review: "On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction" by William Zinsser 4/5

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
đź“š Literature Review Writing Nonfiction Advice Examples
  1. The book provides practical advice that improves writing for any kind of work.
  2. The use of examples from American writers adds value, even though some readers may not be into the literary history aspect.
  3. The main message is that simple writing style doesn't mean a lack of intelligence; in fact, it can be powerful.

Book Review: "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness" by Eric Jorgenson 4/5

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 22
đź“š Literature Book review Wisdom Entrepreneurship Happiness Philosophy
  1. The book 'The Almanack of Naval Ravikant' is a collection of transcripts and tweets by Naval Ravikant, offering insights on life and work.
  2. Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur with a Buddhist perspective, shares wisdom that broadens perspectives and radiates calmness.
  3. The Almanack provides structured insights thanks to the clear thoughts formulated by Naval Ravikant, freely available to download.

Book Review: “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder” by Nasim Taleb 4/5

0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 22
đź“š Literature Book review Running
  1. Antifragility, the opposite of fragility, is a concept introduced by Taleb and explored extensively in the book.
  2. It might take some time to adapt to Taleb's style, but the core concept of antifragility is captivating and thought-provoking.
  3. The idea of antifragility can be applied beyond the book - even to personal experiences like exercise routines.

Book Review: "The Laws of Human Nature" by Robert Greene 5/5

0 implied HN points • 01 Aug 21
đź“š Literature Book review Self-help
  1. Robert Greene's 'The Laws of Human Nature' helps in managing expectations towards people and yourself by recognizing behavior patterns.
  2. The book presents each law with captivating stories from history, making the concepts memorable and engaging.
  3. The instructions in the book not only aid in managing expectations of others but also in self-reflection and overcoming negative behaviors.

Book-Review: “Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur” by Derek Sivers 4/5

0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
đź’Ľ Business Entrepreneurship Lessons Success
  1. Derek Sivers offers unique business insights through 40 lessons from his experience at CD Baby.
  2. The book challenges the traditional view of companies solely pursuing growth and profit, encouraging readers to think differently.
  3. Changing our assumptions and learning from Sivers' lessons can lead to growth not just in business, but in various aspects of our lives.

Book Review: “The Great Mental Models, Volume 3: Systems and Mathematics” by Farnam Street 4/5

0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Decision-making Books
  1. Exploring topics like system thinking and mathematics can help us understand the world better, even if they are not commonly taught in schools.
  2. The book does a great job of explaining complex concepts like feedback loops and bottlenecks in systems, making them easier to comprehend and apply in real life.
  3. Understanding systems and mathematics not only enhances our knowledge of the world but also improves our decision-making process as a bonus.

Book Review: “How to Live on 24 Hours a Day” by Arnold Bennett 4/5

0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
đź“š Literature Self-help Classic literature Time management
  1. Despite different time periods and technologies, the challenge of managing time remains consistent - we all have just 24 hours in a day.
  2. The book 'How to Live on 24 Hours a Day' by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1910, still offers relevant and practical advice for modern readers.
  3. The book is available for free on Project Gutenberg, making it a valuable and enduring read that is worth investing some time in.

Book Review: “How to Tell a Story” by The Moth 4/5

0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Podcasts
  1. The Moth events gather people to share stories using only their voices, no visuals allowed.
  2. The book 'How to Tell a Story' by The Moth hosts shares insights on crafting compelling stories, supported by real story transcripts.
  3. Great storytelling involves sharing personal experiences and emotions, connecting listeners to the storyteller's world and even bringing past characters back to life.

Book Review: “Looking for a meaning of Live” by Viktor Frankl 4/5

0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism Meaning of life
  1. Viktor Frankl's book 'Looking for a meaning of Life' delves into his experiences in Nazi death camps and the concept of Logotherapy, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning in life.
  2. The book explores the capacity of humans to endure harrowing situations and the significance of a purposeful life, drawing lessons from extreme conditions.
  3. Through the lens of psychological therapy, the stories from the brink of existence highlight the crucial role of having a meaning in life.

Book Review: "The Great Mental Models: Physics, Chemistry and Biology" Vol. 2 - by Farnam Street 4/5

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🔬 Science Physics Chemistry Biology Mental models
  1. The second volume of 'The Great Mental Models' explores physics, chemistry, and biology, offering practical and timeless concepts that can improve our thinking.
  2. The second book maintains the high quality aesthetic of the first volume but feels more practical and grounded in the laws of nature.
  3. Exploring concepts from various scientific branches, such as those presented in the book, supports multidisciplinary thinking, helping us solve problems better and avoid repeating mistakes.

Book Review: "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius 5/5

0 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
đź“š Literature Philosophy
  1. Marcus Aurelius wrote 'Meditations' for himself, offering a glimpse into his private thoughts that have resonated with people for centuries.
  2. The wisdom in 'Meditations' provides timeless perspectives, showing that the challenges of life in ancient Rome are similar to modern-day experiences.
  3. The most recent translation of 'Meditations' with an introduction by Gregory Hays, an associate professor of classics, makes the book more accessible and easier to understand.

Book Review: “Wanting” by Luke Burgeis 4/5

0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
đź“– Philosophy Desire Happiness Human nature Psychology
  1. Controlling our perception is crucial for happiness. The book delves into the origin of desires and offers strategies to prioritize significant desires over trivial ones.
  2. The book provides insights into human nature, leadership, and psychology. It goes beyond just mimicking desires to explore deeper aspects of desire and fulfillment.
  3. The author's authentic storytelling makes the book engaging and informative. It reveals intriguing facts about cognition and offers a fresh perspective on desires.

Book Review: "The Lessons of History" by Will & Ariel Durant 4/5

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 22
🚌 Education History
  1. The book 'The Lessons of History' compiles insights from various fields like geology, biology, human nature, economics, government, and more.
  2. The key insight from the book is that certain aspects of human nature remain unchanged over time, challenging the idea of progress and superiority in each generation.
  3. Studying history helps in realizing that perceptions of superiority over past generations are often illusions, as some fundamental human traits persist across time.

Book Review: "The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts" Vol. I - by Farnam Street 4/5

0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
🚌 Education Mental models Decision-making Problem Solving
  1. The book presents 9 mental models with many examples and illustrations.
  2. It's the first volume in a series focusing on general thinking concepts, serving as a great introduction to the world of mental models.
  3. Implementing these concepts can enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills, benefiting personal growth and understanding.

Book Review: "Anthropocene Reviewed" by John Green 4/5

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 22
🎙 Podcasts Review
  1. The reviewer gave 'Anthropocene Reviewed' by John Green a 4/5 rating, appreciating it despite having listened to most of it on the podcast.
  2. Each review in the book explores different aspects of our current age and concludes with a star rating, prompting reflective thoughts.
  3. The essays in the book inspired intellectual exploration and contemplation, offering the reader new perspectives and enriching experiences.

Book Review: 'Mastery" by Robert Greene 4/5

0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 22
đź“š Literature Book review
  1. The book 'Mastery' by Robert Greene provides a framework leading to mastery through sampled biographies.
  2. The study in the book is supported by numerous examples, with only a few redundancies in the content.
  3. Achieving mastery involves more than luck; the book emphasizes the importance of effort and understanding in the process.

Book Review: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins 4/5

0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 22
đź’Ľ Business Management Leadership Books Learning
  1. The book 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins provides valuable insights on how to lead a company to greatness and avoid settling for just being good.
  2. The content is supported by extensive research involving twenty people over five years, making the concepts and findings quite profound.
  3. The book presents its ideas through stories and key points in each chapter, making it easier to digest and apply the lessons learned.

Book Review: "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" by William B. Irvine 5/5

0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 21
đź“– Philosophy Stoicism
  1. William B. Irvine compiles Stoic viewpoints from ancient texts into an accessible handbook with practical exercises.
  2. The book maintains the diverse perspectives of various Stoic philosophers while providing guidance on how to embody Stoic principles.
  3. Reading 'A Guide to the Good Life' can help you become more stoic through its helpful exercises and insights.

Book Review: "Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance" by Alex Hutchinson 4/5

0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Endurance
  1. The book 'Endure' by Alex Hutchinson provides a scientific yet enjoyable overview of human performance limits, interwoven with stories and research.
  2. Each chapter corresponds to a different factor influencing our physical capabilities, illustrated with the narrative of a marathon run under 2 hours.
  3. The book doesn't have groundbreaking revelations but serves as a comprehensive summary of endurance knowledge, suitable for anyone interested in physical and mental capabilities.

Book Review: "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know" by Adam Grant 4/5

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 21
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Personal Development Research
  1. Rethinking what we've learned is a valuable skill, starting with ourselves and extending to influencing others and fostering collective rethinking within organizations.
  2. Changing our minds goes beyond trivial debates, impacting our careers and even saving lives. The book blends research with engaging stories and humor.
  3. It's okay to change your perspective; it shows growth and learning. Embrace moments of being wrong as opportunities for progress.