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Career Success, Personal Growth, Leadership Library

Leadership Library Selection: Smarter Faster Better

Achieving lofty goals can be a challenge for anyone, but what can science tell us about success and how should we use that knowledge to our advantage?

That’s what Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and The New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg set out to explore in his latest book, Smarter Faster Better

Duhigg’s deep dive into motivation, creativity, and productivity focuses on actionable ways people can set and achieve a wide range of goals.

Whether it’s exercising or finishing a novel, the science-backed tips Duhigg provides can be applied broadly.

He breaks down his advice into sections, starting with how to set goals and ending with ways to stay motivated to see it through.

Smarter Faster Better is a great tool for anyone looking for a nuanced way to explore their personal goals, motivations, and even emotions. 

Hack Your Goals with Science

Like his previous book, The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better examines practical life hacks that can empower you to achieve goals.

One of the first things Duhigg unpacks is how to set goals properly. He recommends setting the bar high and not being afraid to dream. After all, having big goals can help propel you forward.

Once you have your big goal in mind, break it down into smaller pieces. This is a goal-setting technique known as SMART, which is widely used with proven success. The SMART framework is a great starting point, but Duhigg goes further.

He digs into how making choices can keep you motivated and provide a sense of control over your destiny, how to overcome distractions and roadblocks, and allowing your emotions to guide your creative work.

Smarter Faster Better stands out from other books on goal-setting because Duhigg utilizes stories to drive his points home.

His real-world stories not only anchor the tips in the book to the real world but provide an entertaining way to learn through actual experiences. 

Key Takeaways: Smarter Faster Better

In this book, Duhigg writes about:

  • How to set and achieve SMART goals.
  • The power of choice and decision-making.
  • How to stay motivated and focused on long-term goals.
  • The benefit of allowing your emotions to guide creativity.
  • Ways to utilize old ideas to create something new.


Read Charles Duhigg’s Smarter Faster Better and start achieving your goals with actionable, science-based advice.