How To Have A Good Day

Revised and updated with a foreword from international bestselling author, Jonathan Haidt. 'Smart, thorough and eminently practical' - Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of Drive 'An extraordinary book - a wonderful mix of science, practical advice and stories' - Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet The groundbreaking, science-backed guide to boosting productivity, efficiency and happiness - and having a lifetime of good days. Advances in behavioural science are giving us an ever better understanding of how our brains work and why we make the choices we do. In How to Have a Good Day, renowned leadership coach and former McKinsey partner, Caroline Webb, distills these insights into an actionable blueprint to transform your everyday working life and strengthen your personal impact. You will learn about:- The two-system brain: How two complementary systems govern brain activity, and how to make our cognitive resources go further- The discover-defend axis: How to move from defensive mode, where we're not at our smartest, to the clearer-thinking discovery mode- The mind-body loop: How physical interventions can instantly improve performance, resilience and confidence Through practical strategies and engaging stories from people who have applied these insights to excel at work and in life, Webb shows you how to become your best self under pressure, make the hours go further, help every interaction feel more successful and stay resilient in the face of setbacks. How to Have a Good Day is not just a productivity guide - it's a powerful toolkit for feeling more fulfilled and energised every single day. 'Wise, fun and humane. The best behavioural self-help book by far. Everyone should read it' - Cass R. Sunstein, co-author of Nudge

Caroline Webb is Chief Executive of Sevenshift, an advisory firm that works with clients to strengthen their ability to lead and inspire change. Previously a Partner at McKinsey & Company, she remains an external Senior Adviser to McKinsey on leadership and she is a Senior Expert in the Mobius network. She is the author of How to Have a Good Day and Leadership Intelligence.

Introduction - i: INTRODUCTION Section - ii: THE SCIENCE ESSENTIALS Section - iii: THE TWO-SYSTEM BRAIN Section - iv: THE DISCOVER-DEFEND AXIS Section - v: THE MIND-BODY LOOP Unit - 1: PART I: PRIORITIES Setting Intentional Direction for Your Day Chapter - 1: ONE: Choosing Your Filters Chapter - 2: TWO: Setting Great Goals Chapter - 3: THREE: Reinforcing Your Intentions Unit - 2: PART II: PRODUCTIVITY Making the Hours in the Day Go Further Chapter - 4: FOUR: Singletasking Chapter - 5: FIVE: Planning Deliberate Downtime Chapter - 6: SIX: Overcoming Overload Chapter - 7: SEVEN: Beating Procrastination Unit - 3: PART III: RELATIONSHIPS Making the Most of Every Interaction Chapter - 8: EIGHT: Building Real Rapport Chapter - 9: NINE: Resolving Tensions Chapter - 10: TEN: Bringing the Best Out of Others Unit - 4: PART IV: THINKING Being Your Smartest, Wisest, Most Creative Self Chapter - 11: ELEVEN: Reaching Insight Chapter - 12: TWELVE: Making Wise Decisions Chapter - 13: THIRTEEN: Boosting Your Brainpower Unit - 5: PART V: INFLUENCE Maximizing the Impact of All You Say and Do Chapter - 14: FOURTEEN: Getting Through Their Filters Chapter - 15: FIFTEEN: Making Things Happen Chapter - 16: SIXTEEN: Conveying Confidence Unit - 6: PART VI: RESILIENCE Sailing Through Setbacks and Annoyances Chapter - 17: SEVENTEEN: Keeping a Cool Head Chapter - 18: EIGHTEEN: Moving On Chapter - 19: NINETEEN: Staying Strong Unit - 7: PART VII: ENERGY Boosting Your Enthusiasm and Enjoyment Chapter - 20: TWENTY: Topping Up the Tank Chapter - 21: TWENTY-ONE: Playing to Your Strengths Section - vi: POSTSCRIPT: MAKING IT STICK Section - vii: APPENDIX A: How to Be Good at Meetings Section - viii: APPENDIX B: How to Be Good at Email Section - ix: APPENDIX C: How to Reinvigorate Your Routine Section - x: SUGGESTED FURTHER READING Section - xi: GLOSSARY Acknowledgements - xii: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Section - xiii: NOTES Index - xiv: INDEX