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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
14 mins
Brief summary
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell delves into the power of intuition and its role in decision-making, revealing how snap judgments can be surprisingly accurate.
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Key idea 1 of 8
Don’t distrust your intuitive judgments - they can often be superior to your conscious ones.
The human brain relies on two strategies to make decisions in any given situation:
One strategy is to consciously record and process information, weigh the pros and cons, and come to a rational conclusion about the best way to go. This kind of information processing is very slow, and in some situations there’s just not enough time for it.
And so, over the course of human evolution, a second and much faster strategy has developed: quick as lightning, the unconscious makes snap judgments based on gut feelings rather than thorough analysis.
This second decision-making strategy allows the brain to unload some of the strain of its complex thought processes to the unconscious. Beneath the surface, unbeknownst to us, the unconscious part of the brain processes situations in the blink of an eye and makes decisions about the best course of action.
Many people tend to only trust their conscious judgments and are uneasy about decisions based on their feelings or intuition. However, it turns out that snap decisions are frequently far superior to those made after a thorough analysis.
As examples, consider that there are tennis experts who can intuitively predict when a player will serve a fault, although they are unable to pinpoint exactly why. And there are art experts who can spot a forged piece of art at first glance just because they have an odd feeling and can only rationally explain their snap judgment later.
In many situations, there are patterns and regularities that the unconscious recognizes faster than the conscious and logical mind. It’s precisely in these moments that we should trust our snap decisions.
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What is Blink about?
Blink examines the phenomenon of snap judgments, meaning the split-second decisions we make unconsciously. These snap judgments are important decision-making tools, but can also lead to bad choices and all manner of problems. Blink explains how we can best make use of them.
Blink Review
Blink (2005) explores the fascinating world of rapid cognition and decision-making. Here's why you should read it:
- It uncovers the hidden power of intuition and how it influences our lives.
- The book combines scientific research, real-life examples, and engaging anecdotes to illustrate its points.
- It challenges conventional wisdom and transforms the way we think about decision-making.
Best quote from Blink
Did they know why they knew? Not at all. But they knew!
—Malcolm Gladwell
Who should read Blink?
- Anyone interested in intuition and decision-making
- Anyone interested in ridding themselves of their prejudices and stereotypes
- Anyone who wants to know when to trust their intuition
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Blink FAQs
What is the main message of Blink?
The main message of Blink is to appreciate the power of intuition and its impact on decision-making.
How long does it take to read Blink?
Reading Blink typically takes around 5-6 hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is Blink a good book? Is it worth reading?
Yes, Blink is an insightful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the power of intuition in decision-making.
Who is the author of Blink?
The author of Blink is Malcolm Gladwell.
How many chapters are in Blink?
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell has 6 chapters.
How many pages are in Blink?
There are 296 pages in Blink.
When was Blink published?
Blink was published in 2005.
What to read after Blink?
If you're wondering what to read next after Blink, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
- David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Irrationality by Stuart Sutherland
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
- How to Speed Read People by Patrick King
- Make Today Count by John C. Maxwell