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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Know Thyself summary
Stephen M. Fleming
The Science of Self-Awareness
19 mins
Brief summary
Know Thyself by Stephen M. Fleming helps readers understand the complexity of self-awareness through neuroscience and psychology research. It encourages individuals to develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts and emotions to enhance their cognitive and emotional abilities.
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Know Thyself
Summary of 4 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 4
Your self-awareness is hardwired into your brain. But you can always sharpen it.
Let me ask you a question: What’s Elton John’s real name?
Now, there are three ways you might respond.
One: “I have absolutely no idea.”
Two: “Reginald Dwight, obviously!”
Three: “I know that I know that! It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to remember it.”
This third reaction is a great example of a process that cognitive neuroscientists call metacognition.
What’s metacognition? Well, cognition is thinking. And that prefix, meta-, comes from the Greek for beyond. So metacognition is thinking that goes beyond thinking. It’s having an awareness of how and why we’re thinking something at the same time that we’re thinking it. Someone who thinks metacognitively is self-aware – someone who doesn’t just think things, but interrogates and reflects on what they think.
In the eighteenth century, a Swedish botanist named Carl Linnaeus set himself a pretty big project. He wrote a book, Systema Naturae, where he began to outline a taxonomy of the natural world – in other words, labeling and categorizing every living thing. He wrote exhaustively long entries for all kinds of birds, insects, and plants. But when it came to humans, Linnaeus felt that three Latin words were enough. Nosce te ipsum. Meaning? Those that know themselves.
It’s been over 250 years since Linnaeus wrote that – but ask any cognitive scientist and they’ll tell you, Linnaeus wasn’t wrong. Our capacity for self-awareness is a key part of what makes us human. It drives our actions to a powerful degree – and, harnessed properly, it can help us achieve extraordinary things. Here’s an example:
Free divers are athletes who try to dive as deep underwater as possible without the use of any additional breathing apparatus, like an oxygen tank. During free diving tournaments, divers compete to reach the lowest depths. It’s a pretty dangerous undertaking. Go too deep, and divers risk passing out, sustaining lung injuries, and even drowning.
Successful free divers don’t just need physical stamina and a talent for diving; they rely on an exquisite level of metacognitive awareness of their abilities and limits. If they underestimate their abilities, they’ll stop before they need to, losing valuable inches from their final score. If they overshoot their limitations, the results can be catastrophic. The difference between a good free diver and a great one? Self-awareness.
We’re all self-aware to some degree. Our aptitude for metacognition is hardwired into our brains and many key metacognitive processes are actually performed automatically. If you’ve ever set a drink down on the table, missed the table by an inch or two, and reflexively caught your glass before it shatters on the floor – well, that was your ingrained metacognition at work. We perform a lot of simple tasks, like drinking a glass of water, automatically. At the same time, we’re constantly self-monitoring. If a task doesn’t progress as predicted, we instinctively self-correct.
We can build on the metacognitive instincts hardwired into our brain by cultivating more explicit metacognitive strategies. Research has shown that some people are more naturally prone to metacognition than others; neuropsychologists call these people “metacognitively gifted.” But we’re all capable of developing and refining our metacognitive skills. And, as the next few chapters will show, boosting metacognition can lead to enhanced learning outcomes, better decision-making, and a more flexible style of thinking.
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What is Know Thyself about?
In Know Thyself (2021) cognitive neuroscientist Stephen M. Fleming lays out the basic principles of metacognition – the way we think about what we think. This revealing book shows by understanding of our metacognitive processes, we can turn them to our advantage, to make accurate, informed judgments.
Know Thyself Review
Know Thyself (2022) by Stephen M. Fleming is an insightful exploration of the human mind and the key to unlocking our full potential. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Full of fascinating research findings, it reveals the intricacies of our cognitive abilities and sheds light on the mysteries of self-awareness.
- By delving into the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of how our minds work and how we can use this knowledge to improve ourselves.
- Through relatable examples and relatable stories, it makes complex concepts accessible and keeps readers engaged, ensuring that the exploration of the self is anything but boring.
Who should read Know Thyself?
- Psychology buffs
- People grappling with difficult decisions
- Anyone who wants to know more about why they think what they think
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Know Thyself FAQs
What is the main message of Know Thyself?
The main message of Know Thyself is to cultivate self-awareness and understand ourselves on a deeper level.
How long does it take to read Know Thyself?
Reading time varies, but Know Thyself can be read in several hours. The Blinkist summary is a quick read at around 15 minutes.
Is Know Thyself a good book? Is it worth reading?
Know Thyself is worth reading as it helps us gain insights into ourselves and enhances personal growth.
Who is the author of Know Thyself?
Stephen M. Fleming is the author of Know Thyself.
What to read after Know Thyself?
If you're wondering what to read next after Know Thyself, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy (Ian McMahan revised)
- Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza
- How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
- The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Peak Mind by Amishi Jha
- Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner
- Evolve Your Brain by Joe Dispenza
- Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
- Insight by Tasha Eurich
- Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol