<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">People think they need to feel confident first, but that’s backward.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence grows the more you do things that scare you.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Feel the fear, take action anyway.</li></ul>

Confidence Comes From Action, Not Feelings

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Fear doesn’t fully disappear, even for successful people.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The real goal is learning to act with fear, not against it.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Fear is a normal part of growth.</li></ul>

Waiting for Fear to Go Away is a Trap

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Your mind throws negative thoughts all the time.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You don’t have to believe everything you think.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Treat thoughts like clouds passing by, not orders you must follow.</li></ul>

Thoughts Are Just Thoughts, Not Facts

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoiding hard things might feel safe short-term.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">But it builds regret, frustration, and a smaller life.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Facing discomfort is the only way forward.</li></ul>

Avoidance Kills Growth

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Building confidence is like building muscle — it needs reps, not motivation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">That’s why I created 10 ChatGPT Prompts to Build Unshakable Confidence so you can start training your mindset daily.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">No fluff. Just daily mental reps to build real confidence on command. → [<a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/l/10ChatGPTPromptstoBuildUnshakableConfidence">Get it here and don't miss out!</a>]</li></ul>

You Can Train Your Mindset Like a Muscle

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence grows when you act based on your values, not your moods.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">What matters most to you should guide your actions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Comfort zones shrink your potential.</li></ul>

Focus on What Matters, Not What’s Comfortable

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Mindfulness helps you stay calm when your brain screams, “Run!”</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It’s not about forcing yourself to relax, but noticing feelings without fighting them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You can still act, even if anxiety is present.</li></ul>

Use Mindfulness to Manage Anxiety

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">No one succeeds without messing up.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Each mistake teaches you something if you pay attention.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Failing forward builds real confidence faster than anything else.</li></ul>

Success is Built on Failures

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence comes after the action, not before.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You don’t need to “feel like it” — just start.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Small actions lead to bigger courage over time.</li></ul>

Commit to Action, Even If You Don’t Feel Ready

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence isn’t a personality trait — it’s a practiced skill.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Anyone can build it, no matter where they start.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The more you train, the stronger it gets.</li></ul>

Confidence = Skill, Not Gift

Drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness practices, this guide offers breakthrough insights and simple techniques for developing deep-seated, long-lasting confidence Too many of us miss out on opportunities in life because we lack self-confidence. Whether it’s public speaking, taking on a leadership role, or asking someone for a date, there are situations in which we just don't feel equipped to handle the challenges we face.  Russ Harris offers a surprising solution to low self-confidence, shyness, and insecurity: Rather than trying to “get over” our fears, he says, the secret is to form a new and wiser relationship with them. Paradoxically, it’s only when we stop struggling against our fearfulness that we begin to find lasting freedom from it.  Drawing on the techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a cutting-edge form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, The Confidence Gap explains how to:   • Free yourself from common misconceptions about what confidence is and how to build it  • Transform your relationship with fear and anxiety  • Clarify your core values and use them as your inspiration and motivation  • Use mindfulness to effectively handle negative thoughts and feelings.   “This book could save you years of psychological struggle, yank you out of negative emotional patterns, and help propel you to a much happier, more productive life.” —Martha Beck, author and Oprah Winfrey’s life coach

productivity

Productivity

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

habits

Habits

books

Books

Russ Harris

The Confidence Gap

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We see so much news, videos, and posts every day it’s hard to know what’s true</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Social media and online ads often show us what they want not what’s real</li><li class="ql-align-justify">To survive today we must learn to think clearly and ask good questions</li></ul>

1. Too Much Information Everywhere

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Computers and machines are doing more work than ever</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Many jobs might disappear especially ones that repeat the same tasks</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Creative thinking emotions and teamwork will matter more in the future</li></ul>

2. Robots and AI Taking Over Jobs

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Apps and websites collect data about what we like buy and do</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Sometimes technology can predict what we want better than we can</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Learning about privacy and how tech works is really important now</li></ul>

3. Big Data Knows You Well

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Big problems like global warming and viruses affect everyone not just one country</li><li class="ql-align-justify">When countries only care about themselves it makes these problems worse</li><li class="ql-align-justify">We all live on the same planet working together is the only way to solve big issues</li></ul>

4. Countries or the Whole World

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Old religious stories often don’t match with modern science</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Many people today look for meaning in personal growth or helping others</li><li class="ql-align-justify">What matters is not believing blindly but living with kindness and honesty</li></ul>

5. What About Religion Today

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Fake news spreads quickly especially online because it makes people emotional</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Social media earns money by keeping people hooked even with wrong information</li><li class="ql-align-justify">We need to stop think and check facts before believing or sharing</li></ul>

6. Lies Spread Faster Than Truth

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Freedom and human rights are not guaranteed they can be lost</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Some governments use tech to spy on and control their people</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It’s up to us to stand up for fairness freedom and honesty in society</li></ul>

7. Is Democracy in Danger

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Knowing facts isn’t enough we need to learn how to keep learning</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Jobs will keep changing so learning new skills throughout life is a must</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Being creative calm and open minded will help us face the future</li></ul>

8. Schools Must Teach Differently

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Technology can’t answer life’s big questions like Why am I here</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Many people try to find meaning in family friends work or helping others</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The best meaning often comes from love kindness and making a difference</li></ul>

9. What’s the Meaning of Life Now

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We have the power to make the future good or bad depending on what we choose now</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Working together as one human family is the only way forward</li><li class="ql-align-justify">What we do today will decide how life will be for future generations</li></ul>

10. Our Choices Shape the Future

How to understand the big challenges of today’s world and prepare for the future

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, one of the most innovative thinkers on the planet turns to the present to make sense of today’s most pressing issues. “Fascinating . . . a crucial global conversation about how to take on the problems of the twenty-first century.”—Bill Gates, The New York Times Book Review NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY FINANCIAL TIMES AND PAMELA PAUL, KQED How do computers and robots change the meaning of being human? How do we deal with the epidemic of fake news? Are nations and religions still relevant? What should we teach our children? Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a probing and visionary investigation into today’s most urgent issues as we move into the uncharted territory of the future. As technology advances faster than our understanding of it, hacking becomes a tactic of war, and the world feels more polarized than ever, Harari addresses the challenge of navigating life in the face of constant and disorienting change and raises the important questions we need to ask ourselves in order to survive. In twenty-one accessible chapters that are both provocative and profound, Harari builds on the ideas explored in his previous books, untangling political, technological, social, and existential issues and offering advice on how to prepare for a very different future from the world we now live in: How can we retain freedom of choice when Big Data is watching us? What will the future workforce look like, and how should we ready ourselves for it? How should we deal with the threat of terrorism? Why is liberal democracy in crisis? Harari’s unique ability to make sense of where we have come from and where we are going has captured the imaginations of millions of readers. Here he invites us to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world full of noise and uncertainty. When we are deluged with irrelevant information, clarity is power. Presenting complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is essential reading. “If there were such a thing as a required instruction manual for politicians and thought leaders, Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century would deserve serious consideration. In this collection of provocative essays, Harari . . . tackles a daunting array of issues, endeavoring to answer a persistent question: ‘What is happening in the world today, and what is the deep meaning of these events?’”—BookPage (top pick)

Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli public intellectual, historian and professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of the popular science bestsellers Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

Yuval Noah Harari

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The title comes from her brother’s childhood story. Write bird by bird.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Big projects feel scary, but small steps make them doable.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on writing one small piece at a time.</li></ul>

1. Start Small — “Bird by Bird”

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Your first draft doesn’t need to be good. It just needs to exist.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t aim for perfection right away.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Messy writing is how you find the good parts later.</li></ul>

2. First Drafts Are Supposed to Be Messy

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing is like exercise. The more you do it, the better you get.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Even if you don’t feel like it, show up.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Consistency is the real secret to finishing anything.</li></ul>

3. Show Up Every Day

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Everyone has an inner critic that says, This is bad.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t listen. Write anyway.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You can always fix it later, but you can’t fix what doesn’t exist.</li></ul>

4. Quiet the Negative Voices

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on small, real details from your life or imagination.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Good writing isn’t about sounding fancy. It’s about honesty.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">And if you ever feel stuck for ideas, I’ve created <a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/l/50Game-ChangingChatGPTPromptsforWriters">50 powerful ChatGPT prompts</a> to help you spark those first words and keep the ideas flowing.</li></ul>

5. Write What You See

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t copy other writers. Your voice matters.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing how you speak makes your work stronger.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The more you write, the more your voice develops.</li></ul>

6. Find Your Own Voice

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Trying to be perfect will stop you before you start.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Let go of needing to get it right.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Imperfect writing is how you reach great writing.</li></ul>

7. Tackle Perfectionism

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t worry about what others will think.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Write what you need to write.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You can shape it for readers later, but start with your heart.</li></ul>

8. Write for Yourself First

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The story or idea will reveal itself as you write.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Take it one sentence at a time.</li></ul>

9. Trust the Process

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Fame or money shouldn’t be the goal.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing itself is what brings meaning and growth.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you’re writing, you’re already winning.</li></ul>

10. Success Is the Writing, Not Fame

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stay connected with me on all platforms through my <a href="https://linktr.ee/anupchouhan">Linktree</a>.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Want access to high-value digital products, both free and premium?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Subscribe to my  <a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/">Gumroad store</a> and be the first to grab exclusive releases straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out! Get the best offers before anyone else!</li></ul>

Thanks For Reading!

Break free from writer’s block and start writing today

‘Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”’ Here, for the first time, is a local edition of the bible of writing guides — a wry, honest, down-to-earth book that has never stopped selling since it was first published in the United States in the 1990s. In Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott, a bestelling novelist and memoirist, distils what she’s learned over years of trial and error. Beautifully written, wise, and immensely helpful, this is the book for serious writers and writers-to-be.

Anne Lamott is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Anne Lamott has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Anne Lamott's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird

• The world keeps changing, so we need to keep updating our thinking• Smart people don’t always have the right answers• Being open to change helps you grow

1. Rethinking is a Superpower

• Many people hold on to their old beliefs just to feel smart• It’s okay to say “I was wrong”• Real learning begins when you let go of being too sure

2. Don’t Act Like a Know-It-All

• Test your ideas like scientists do• Look for proof, not just what feels right• Be ready to change your mind when new facts come

3. Be Like a Scientist

• Don’t act like a preacher trying to prove you're always right• Don’t attack others just to win an argument• Don’t say things just to make people like you

4. Don’t Preach, Fight, or Fake

• Being wrong means you’re learning something new• Don’t feel bad—feel proud when you learn• People respect those who admit mistakes

5. It's Good to Be Wrong

• Ask gentle questions instead of forcing your opinion• Find something you both agree on• Let people come to their own decision

6. How to Help Others Rethink

• Make it okay to ask questions and share new ideas• Leaders and teachers should say “I don’t know” sometimes• Reward people for learning, not just for being right

7. Build a Rethinking Environment

• Your thoughts can change, and that’s normal• You’re not weak if you change your mind• Let go of bad ideas without feeling like you're losing yourself

8. You Are Not Your Ideas

• Talk things out with an open mind• Listen more, assume less• Don’t try to win—try to understand

9. Rethink in Friendships and Relationships

• Spend time with people who challenge your thinking• Ask yourself, “What if I’m wrong?” often• Keep learning new things your whole life

10. Stay a Lifelong Learner

#1 New York Times Bestseller “THIS. This is the right book for right now. Yes, learning requires focus. But, unlearning and relearning requires much more—it requires choosing courage over comfort. In Think Again, Adam Grant weaves together research and storytelling to help us build the intellectual and emotional muscle we need to stay curious enough about the world to actually change it. I’ve never felt so hopeful about what I don’t know.” —Brené Brown, Ph.D., #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dare to Lead The bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people's minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. In our daily lives, too many of us favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt. We listen to opinions that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. We see disagreement as a threat to our egos, rather than an opportunity to learn. We surround ourselves with people who agree with our conclusions, when we should be gravitating toward those who challenge our thought process. The result is that our beliefs get brittle long before our bones. We think too much like preachers defending our sacred beliefs, prosecutors proving the other side wrong, and politicians campaigning for approval--and too little like scientists searching for truth. Intelligence is no cure, and it can even be a curse: being good at thinking can make us worse at rethinking. The brighter we are, the blinder to our own limitations we can become. Organizational psychologist Adam Grant is an expert on opening other people's minds--and our own. As Wharton's top-rated professor and the bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, he makes it one of his guiding principles to argue like he's right but listen like he's wrong. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, he investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. You'll learn how an international debate champion wins arguments, a Black musician persuades white supremacists to abandon hate, a vaccine whisperer convinces concerned parents to immunize their children, and Adam has coaxed Yankees fans to root for the Red Sox. Think Again reveals that we don't have to believe everything we think or internalize everything we feel. It's an invitation to let go of views that are no longer serving us well and prize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom.

Adam Grant is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Adam Grant has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Adam Grant's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Adam Grant

Think Again

The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Bragging isn’t about being arrogant.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It’s about sharing your success with confidence.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you don’t speak up, people won’t know your value.</li></ul>

1. Bragging Is Not a Bad Thing

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You can learn how to talk about yourself well.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It takes practice, just like any other skill.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The goal is to sound natural, not boastful.</li></ul>

2. Self-Promotion is a Skill

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">A "Brag Bag" is a list of your wins and strengths.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Write down your accomplishments, big or small.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use them to help you talk confidently about yourself.</li></ul>

3. Create Your "Brag Bag"

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Brag Bites are short, personal success stories.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">They should be easy to remember and share anytime.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Keep them clear, quick, and to the point.</li></ul>

4. Be Ready with Your Brag Bites

<ul><li>Don’t just list your achievements—tell them as interesting stories.</li><li>Keep it natural and easy to follow in a chat.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">I’m about to share some amazing book summaries on my insta account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fastreadsclub/">fastreadsclub </a>— you definitely don’t want to miss what’s coming! </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Follow my account to get book summaries everyday.</li></ul>

5. Make It a Conversation, Not a Speech

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Change how you brag depending on who you're talking to.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use examples that make sense to them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Make it about connection, not showing off.</li></ul>

6. Know Your Audience

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Say your brag stories aloud until they feel comfortable.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This helps you sound smooth and confident.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Record yourself or practice with a friend.</li></ul>

7. Practice Out Loud

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Smile, stand tall, and speak clearly.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Your tone and posture should match your words.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence is shown as much as it is spoken.</li></ul>

8. Use Body Language and Voice

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You don’t need a stage to promote yourself.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use casual moments to share your success naturally.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It could be during lunch, meetings, or chats.</li></ul>

9. Brag in Everyday Moments

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Celebrate other people’s wins as well.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It shows you’re confident and not self-centered.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Mutual support builds trust and respect.</li></ul>

10. Support Others, Too

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stay connected with me on all platforms through my <a href="https://linktr.ee/anupchouhan">Linktree</a>.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Want access to high-value digital products, both free and premium?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Subscribe to my <a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/">Gumroad store</a> and be the first to grab exclusive releases straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out! Get the best offers before anyone else!</li></ul>

How to confidently brag and get noticed instantly!

It is well-documented that working hard isn't enough to keep your professional star rising: Self-promotion is recognized as one of the most important attributes for getting ahead.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

communication

Communication

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Peggy Klaus

Brag!

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Life has luck involved, just like poker.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Even good decisions can have bad outcomes.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">We need to focus on how we decide, not just the results.</li></ul>

1. Life is Like Poker, Not Chess

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">A bad result doesn't mean you made a bad choice.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A good result can come from a poor decision (just lucky).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Judge your thinking, not only the outcome.</li></ul>

2. Result ≠ Decision Quality

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We rarely know everything when making choices.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Accept that we might be wrong.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use words like "probably" or "I'm 70% sure" to show confidence levels.</li></ul>

3. Embrace Uncertainty

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">A "bet" means you're choosing based on the chances of being right.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ask yourself, "Would I bet money on this belief?"</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This helps you become more honest with yourself.</li></ul>

4. Think in Bets

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">"Resulting" means judging a decision only by its result.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t say someone was smart just because things worked out.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Look at the reasoning behind the choice.</li></ul>

5. Avoid “Resulting”

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Talk with people who challenge your ideas kindly.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Good friends help you see your blind spots.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoid echo chambers where everyone agrees with you.</li></ul>

6. Form a Truth-Seeking Group

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Ask: “What could I have done differently?”</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Think through different paths the decision could have taken.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Learn from the process, not just the final result.</li></ul>

7. Use “What If” Thinking

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Write down your decisions and why you made them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Later, compare the outcomes to your original thinking.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This helps you improve over time.</li></ul>

8. Track Your Decisions

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You can’t control luck, but you can control your choices.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on improving your decision-making process.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don't beat yourself up over bad luck.</li></ul>

9. Separate Luck from Skill

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">One bad result doesn’t define your future.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Think about how you’ll feel about this in a year.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Make choices that are good for the long run.</li></ul>

10. Keep a Long-Term View

<ul><li>Stay connected with me on all platforms through my <a href="https://linktr.ee/anupchouhan">Linktree</a>.</li><li>Want access to high-value digital products, both free and premium?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Subscribe to my <a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/">Gumroad store</a> and be the first to grab exclusive releases straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out! Get the best offers before anyone else!</li></ul>

A Wall Street Journal bestseller, now in paperback. Poker champion turned decision strategist Annie Duke teaches you how to get comfortable with uncertainty and make better decisions. Even the best decision doesn't yield the best outcome every time. There's always an element of luck that you can't control, and there's always information hidden from view. So the key to long-term success (and avoiding worrying yourself to death) is to think in bets: How sure am I? What are the possible ways things could turn out? What decision has the highest odds of success? Did I land in the unlucky 10% on the strategy that works 90% of the time? Or is my success attributable to dumb luck rather than great decision making? Annie Duke, a former World Series of Poker champion turned consultant, draws on examples from business, sports, politics, and (of course) poker to share tools anyone can use to embrace uncertainty and make better decisions. For most people, it's difficult to say "I'm not sure" in a world that values and, even, rewards the appearance of certainty. But professional poker players are comfortable with the fact that great decisions don't always lead to great outcomes, and bad decisions don't always lead to bad outcomes. By shifting your thinking from a need for certainty to a goal of accurately assessing what you know and what you don't, you'll be less vulnerable to reactive emotions, knee-jerk biases, and destructive habits in your decision making. You'll become more confident, calm, compassionate, and successful in the long run.

mentalhealth

Mental Health

Annie is the co-founder of The Alliance for Decision Education, a non-profit whose mission is to improve lives by empowering students through decision skills education. She is also a member of the National Board of After-School All-Stars and the Board of Directors of the Franklin Institute. In 2020, she joined the board of the Renew Democracy Initiative.

Annie Duke

Thinking in Bets

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Resistance is the force inside you that stops you from doing your work.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It tries to trick you with excuses and distractions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The more important the work, the stronger Resistance gets.</li></ul>

1. Resistance is Your Enemy

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Waiting for the perfect moment or idea is a trap.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Action creates momentum and helps you figure things out.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t wait for motivation — just start moving.</li></ul>

2. Start Before You’re Ready

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Feeling scared means you are pushing boundaries.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Fear shows you that your work matters.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use fear as a signal to keep going, not to stop.</li></ul>

3. Fear is a Sign of Progress

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Make a simple plan to guide your work.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoid over-planning, which leads to procrastination.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Plans should help you start, not stop.</li></ul>

4. Plan, But Don’t Overthink

<ul><li>Big projects can feel overwhelming.</li><li>Dividing your work into smaller, doable parts makes it easier to start.</li><li>To make this even simpler, I created 10 free ChatGPT prompts that help you slice through overwhelm and get moving fast — like having a personal coach ready to push you into action anytime.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"> <a href="https://anupchouhan.gumroad.com/l/10ChatGPTPromptsThatKillProcrastination">Grab your free prompts here</a> →</li></ul>

5. Break the Work Into Small Steps

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">People may try to discourage or distract you.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Resistance uses their voices to create self-doubt.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Trust yourself and your process.</li></ul>

6. Ignore Critics and Doubters

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Show up every day, even when it’s hard.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Consistency beats bursts of motivation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Commitment helps you overcome Resistance.</li></ul>

7. Be Committed and Consistent

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Inspiration comes from doing the work, not before it.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Action feeds creativity and motivation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Keep working even when you don’t “feel” like it.</li></ul>

8. Don’t Wait for Inspiration

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Your work won’t be perfect at first.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Perfectionism is another form of Resistance.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on progress, not perfection.</li></ul>

9. Accept Imperfection

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Completion is the true victory over Resistance.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t stop until you finish your project.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Finishing builds confidence and momentum for the next work.</li></ul>

10. Finish What You Start

Overcome procrastination and start taking action today

Could you be getting in your way of producing great work? Have you started a project but never finished? Would you like to do work that matters, but don't know where to start?The answer is Do the Work, a manifesto by bestselling author Steven Pressfield, that will show you that it’s not about better ideas, it’s about actually doing the work. Do the Work is a weapon against Resistance – a tool that will help you take action and successfully ship projects out the door.“There is an enemy. There is an intelligent, active, malign force working against us. Step one is to recognize this. This recognition alone is enormously powerful. It saved my life, and it will save yours.”Do the Work may be just what you need to get out of your own way.

Steven Pressfield is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Steven Pressfield has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Steven Pressfield's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Steven Pressfield

Do the Work!

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You are not your inner monologue.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Thoughts feel real, but many are just echoes from the past.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Pause before reacting. Observe your thoughts like passing clouds.</li></ul>

1. Your Thoughts Are Just Thoughts, Not Facts

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Forcing yourself to “stay positive” often suppresses real emotions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Emotional agility means feeling everything — and choosing how to respond.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Authenticity is far more powerful than fake optimism.</li></ul>

2. Avoid the Trap of Toxic Positivity

Master your emotions before they master you

#1 Wall Street Journal Best Seller USA Today Best Seller Amazon Best Book of the Year TED Talk sensation - over 3 million views! The counterintuitive approach to achieving your true potential, heralded by the Harvard Business Review as a groundbreaking idea of the year.   The path to personal and professional fulfillment is rarely straight. Ask anyone who has achieved his or her biggest goals or whose relationships thrive and you’ll hear stories of many unexpected detours along the way. What separates those who master these challenges and those who get derailed? The answer is agility—emotional agility. Emotional agility is a revolutionary, science-based approach that allows us to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind. Renowned psychologist Susan David developed this concept after studying emotions, happiness, and achievement for more than twenty years. She found that no matter how intelligent or creative people are, or what type of personality they have, it is how they navigate their inner world—their thoughts, feelings, and self-talk—that ultimately determines how successful they will become. The way we respond to these internal experiences drives our actions, careers, relationships, happiness, health—everything that matters in our lives. As humans, we are all prone to common hooks—things like self-doubt, shame, sadness, fear, or anger—that can too easily steer us in the wrong direction. Emotionally agile people are not immune to stresses and setbacks. The key difference is that they know how to adapt, aligning their actions with their values and making small but powerful changes that lead to a lifetime of growth. Emotional agility is not about ignoring difficult emotions and thoughts; it’s about holding them loosely, facing them courageously and compassionately, and then moving past them to bring the best of yourself forward. Drawing on her deep research, decades of international consulting, and her own experience overcoming adversity after losing her father at a young age, David shows how anyone can thrive in an uncertain world by becoming more emotionally agile. To guide us, she shares four key concepts that allow us to acknowledge uncomfortable experiences while simultaneously detaching from them, thereby allowing us to embrace our core values and adjust our actions so they can move us where we truly want to go. Written with authority, wit, and empathy, Emotional Agility serves as a road map for real behavioral change—a new way of acting that will help you reach your full potential, whoever you are and whatever you face.

The Confidence Gap

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Bird by Bird

Think Again

Brag!

Anup Chouhan