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Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Useful Art of Procrastination
Wait by Frank Partnoy is a fascinating exploration of how we can use delay to make better decisions. Partnoy argues that waiting can enhance our decision-making ability, and that waiting strategically can be a powerful tool for success in a fast-paced world.
During a gripping tennis match, have you ever stopped to contemplate the ridiculousness of watching two people hit a ball, back and forth? This simple act, nonetheless, is mesmerizing; and it has everything to do with the rhythm and timing of this popular game.
Being a skilled tennis player isn’t just about good eyes and quick reactions. People tend to think that a tennis player’s talent is a product of his ability to rapidly ascertain the speed and trajectory of a ball. But the amount of time it takes for any person to visually register an action is more or less universal – around 200 milliseconds.
Another misconception is that tennis talent is tied to reaction speed – that is, the faster you can react, the better you should play. This is only partially correct. The best tennis players in the world have the ability to wait that essential extra split-second before returning a volley.
Once a player sees that his opponent is serving the ball, he has approximately 300 milliseconds to make a move. Most people move as quickly as they can, only to miss the ball altogether!
Skilled players are different. They can and will wait up to 200 milliseconds, taking in as much visual information as possible, before hitting the ball.
Many popular sports are in fact designed with this timing challenge in mind. If the space between a player and the net was greater, for example, a player would have more time to react. Conversely, if the distance was smaller, a player could only react in a knee-jerk fashion.
Tennis is a great example of the human capacity for preconscious preparatory skills. A player has just enough time to pause, letting his unconscious mind formulate the best response but not enough time to consciously plan a move.
This sort of reaction isn’t exclusive to tennis champions, either. Split-second timing plays an essential role in business and finance, too.
Wait (2012) is the ultimate guide to balancing action with inaction and learning how to recognize the perfect moment when you need to make a move. These blinks explain how taking your time can have a profound influence on everything in your life, from playing tennis and buying stocks to even finding the love of your life.
Wait (2012) explores the art of delay, revealing how taking the time to make better decisions can lead to success in both business and personal life. Here's why this book is worth a read:
During super-fast reactions, the best-performing experts instinctively know when to pause, if only for a split second.
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.
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.
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.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
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 trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Wait?
The main message of Wait is that pausing and taking the time to make decisions can lead to better outcomes.
How long does it take to read Wait?
The reading time for Wait varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is Wait a good book? Is it worth reading?
Wait is worth reading because it provides insights on effective decision-making and its impact on our lives.
Who is the author of Wait?
The author of Wait is Frank Partnoy.