Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
59 Seconds summary
Think a Little, Change a Lot
18 mins
Brief summary
Richard Wiseman's '59 Seconds' offers research-backed advice for self-improvement, dispelling popular myths and providing quick tips for boosting happiness, motivation, and success.
Topics
Table of Contents
59 Seconds
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Nail that interview by being more likable.
Interviewers select job candidates based on the right qualifications and work experience, right? Well, not exactly. Studies have shown there is one factor that trumps all others when it comes to landing a job: Likability. Below are some simple tricks to make people like you.
After following over one hundred former students hunting for their first jobs, researchers from the University of Washington and University of Florida found that those who secured the interviewer’s favor were the most likely to be hired.
There were a few things that made them likeable: some spoke about interesting topics that were unrelated to the job, others maintained a genuine smile and some spoke highly of the organization they were applying to. This is good news, since these things are easy to do and make a huge difference.
Another way to gain someone’s favor in an interview is to reveal your weaknesses right off the bat.
In the 1970’s, Duke University psychologists conducted research where participants were presented with a recording of a man talking about his life. In one tape, the man confessed early on to getting caught cheating in school; in another tape, he left his confession until the end.
The man was rated far more likable by those who’d listened to the tape in which he made an early confession.
It’s therefore advantageous to save your positive aspects until the end of the interview. By doing so, it appears that you prefer letting your strong points come up naturally in conversation, which makes you more likable.
Here’s one last interview tip: don’t freak out if you make a mistake.
Chances are that a mistake is far more apparent to you than to others, and an overwrought reaction or apology will only highlight something that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Want to see all full key ideas from 59 Seconds?
Key ideas in 59 Seconds
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is 59 Seconds about?
59 seconds (2010) lays out some handy tips and insights backed by scientific research. Apply them today, and experience the change you want in your life.
59 Seconds Review
59 Seconds (2010) by Richard Wiseman is a book that offers practical advice to improve our lives by debunking common self-help myths. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides scientifically-backed strategies that can be implemented in just one minute, making it easy to incorporate positive changes into our daily routines.
- By drawing on credible research studies and experiments, the book offers a refreshing perspective on how to achieve happiness, success, and motivation.
- Through its engaging anecdotes and relatable examples, 59 Seconds manages to deliver captivating insights while keeping readers thoroughly engaged.
Best quote from 59 Seconds
People dont tend to wander around and then suddenly find themselves at the top of Mount Everest. - Zig Ziglar
—Richard Wiseman
Who should read 59 Seconds?
- People sick of the same old self-help books
- Creative thinkers
- Psychology enthusiasts
Categories with 59 Seconds
Book summaries like 59 Seconds
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
59 Seconds FAQs
What is the main message of 59 Seconds?
The main message of 59 Seconds is that small changes in behavior can have a big impact on our lives.
How long does it take to read 59 Seconds?
The reading time for 59 Seconds varies, but it typically takes a few hours. You can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is 59 Seconds a good book? Is it worth reading?
59 Seconds is worth reading for its practical insights on personal development. It offers quick tips backed by scientific research.
Who is the author of 59 Seconds?
Richard Wiseman is the author of 59 Seconds.
What to read after 59 Seconds?
If you're wondering what to read next after 59 Seconds, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- Originals by Adam Grant
- Take Back Your Power by Deborah Liu
- Surrounded by Setbacks by Thomas Erikson
- Get Smart! by Brian Tracy
- Lessons in Stoicism by John Sellars
- Big Feelings by Mollie West Duffy and Liz Fosslien
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson