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Summary of You Are Not So Smart 

4.5 . 1859 reviews

Short summary

Do you think that every choice or decision you make in life is based on rational ideas and thinking? You would assume so, but the truth is that all of us have preconceived notions and ideas which confuse our minds and force us to make choices and opinions which are far off the mark! Hugely popular author and blogger David McRaney explores some of the weird and wonderful cognitive tricks your mind is playing on you every single day and opens you up to the idea that really, you’re perhaps not as smart as you thought you were! As a journalist, he explores theories and decodes the truth, yet David McRaney also has a deep interest in psychology and self-delusion too. Here, he shares his pearls of wisdom. “You are a confabulatory creature by nature. You are always explaining to yourself the motivations for your actions and the causes to the effects in your life, and you make them up without realizing it when you don’t know the answers.” ~ David McRaney

Table of content

  • Summary of You Are Not So Smart
  • About the author
  • What is You Are Not So Smart about?
  • Who should read You Are Not So Smart
  • Topics in You Are Not So Smart
first key point

Do you trust your own thoughts?

Listen the first key point
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We all make decisions every single day, both large and small, but how do you come to a firm conclusion before making a choice? You might think you base your thought process on proven experience and rational thought, but what if your brain isn’t actually being rational? What if you were relying upon thought processes that were keen to trip you up? It’s worrying to think about, but it’s actually true!

You Are Not So Smart is a humorous and exciting exploration of the cognitive differences we all go through on a day-to-day basis. From mental blindspots to the famous bystander effect, our minds are biased towards past experiences and what those around us have told us. This has a significant impact on the way we live our lives and learning how to see past illusion and discover the truth can change your decisions and opinions for the better.

It’s not the most fantastic piece of news to know that your brain might not be as reliable as you’ve always believed it to be, but this isn’t something to be worried about. Over the years, our brains have evolved, and many of the things we do are designed to keep us safe, always on the lookout for danger. However, they may also stop you from reaching your potential or taking hold of key opportunities in life.

You might think that you’re a completely logical and very rational person and that you see the world in the way it is meant to be seen, but the truth is you’re actually deluded! Yes, you’re deluded, we all are, and it’s a way of remaining sane in this crazy world we call home.

Your brain is deeply affected by preconceived ideas and thinking methods that cause you to stray from logic and head somewhere else entirely. This summary explores the main issues to be aware of, and how to then change your thought patterns accordingly. The following chapters will help you understand your mind better and gain insight into why you make your decisions.
Being more aware of your thoughts allows you to trust the logical ones and dismiss the ones that are unhelpful.
second key point

Cognitive bias is confusing your mind

Humans are predictable. We love a routine, and we go through our days ticking items off our to-do list, happy when we hear the beep on our app to say that we’ve done something successfully. This predictability also leads us toward something called cognitive bias.
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third key point

We all experience coincidence and confirmation bias, but it’s essential to know the difference

fourth key point

The dangers of procrastination are very real

fifth key point

Most of us cannot accurately estimate our performance and ability

sixth key point

The importance of calculating risk versus safety

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is You Are Not So Smart about?

Who should read You Are Not So Smart

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.