I feel I have to stress that the title of this book is very misleading. Pink's book simply seems like he is talking off the top of his head. If Pink had read the recent research, or had talked to the author who is a leading researcher-perhaps the leading researcher in the field of circadian rhythms, Pink would not have written what he wrote about morning people and night owls. But, he could have read the research and results that it describes. It is a recently-published book, and Pink probably did not have access to it. It really is just a coincidence, but while listening to this audiobook, I had been simultaneously reading a print book on a similar theme The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Transform Your Health from Morning to Midnight. And besides that-he had to make decisions in the afternoon-could he possibly have postponed his decisions? I doubt that. Really? Yes, the afternoon is a period when many people's intellectual faculties are ebbing, but it is hard to believe that the captain put his ship at risk as a result. In the preface, he writes that the captain of the Lusitania might have averted sinking by a U-boat during World War I, if only he had not made certain doubtful decisions in the afternoon. Unfortunately, what Pink has to say is not all that illuminating. So, if you are planning to read this book, I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook version. He brings a good voice, and remarkable enthusiasm to his narration. Usually, authors do not make good narrators, but this audiobook is definitely the exception. I didn't read the book-I listened to the audiobook, and it is read by the author, Daniel Pink. It is all about how timing can affect our lives. This book is very engaging, even entertaining. This is a quick read that rewards time spent with some excellent insights. Pink’s fourth book should be compulsory reading for bosses, educators, and schedulers, for policymakers, company executives, and performers, but there is plenty in this fascinating book that the average person will find applicable to their lives. Illustrating his points are choirs and rowing teams and basketballers and dubbawalas delivering tiffin tins and Hanukkah candles and the captain of the Lusitania. He looks at the effects of starting one’s career during a depressed jobs-market why a mid-point (in a project, in a career, in a life) can cause a slump or a spark how to overcome a bad start when to quit your job when to get married when to exercise the importance of breaks and much, much more. Pink explains in detail: why having a coffee before a power nap makes sense why combining a lunch break with an education session at 1pm (as some teaching hospitals do with their Grand Rounds) is counterproductive (ditto 8am lectures for University students) when the worst time to be a hospital patient is, and why and the reason some people have the so-called “mid-life crisis”. But the most useful thing about this book is his Time Hacker’s Handbook: salient points from each section are condensed into summaries full of hints and tips and practical exercises that appear after each of the first six chapters. As well as six suggestions for further reading, Pink includes an 8-page index. The depth of his research is apparent in every paragraph, and supported by his extremely comprehensive (26-page) notes section detailing references for each chapter. Pink supports his points with data and simple, clear graphs. Pink also gives practical suggestions for dealing with less than ideal conditions, as well as hints and tips to improve everyday life. He acknowledges that not everyone can control their work environment or the financial climate as they enter the job market. He begins by explaining how our individual chronotype (easily established) determines both our mood and our ability to perform at any given time of the day: how it affects our professional and our ethical judgements, as well as our physical function.īut he doesn’t just pontificate on the best time to do something for future success and happiness. In this intriguing book, Pink examines the importance of good and bad timing. But what about when we decide? Could the time of day that we make a decision be significant? Could the time of day affect how well we learn or do our work? Does it really matter when we have that first cup of coffee? According to Dan Pink, it definitely does. If we’re making an important life decision, what we decide obviously requires careful consideration. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing is the fourth book by bestselling American author, Daniel H.
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