SYSK Choice: Are Winning Streaks A Real Thing? & How to Stay Focused When Distracted

Everyone loves ketchup – or so it seems. In fact, it is one of the most universally loved foods in America. Why? This episode begins with some interesting facts and history about ketchup that helps explain why there is a bottle of it in more than 97% of U.S. households. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/aug/20/why-is-ketchup-so-delicious-science-answers-big-food-questions Have you ever felt you were on a winning streak? Maybe it was at work or gambling or a game of tennis – where you just could do no wrong. You often see winning streaks in professional sports. Interestingly, some people claim that winning streaks aren’t really a thing. However, my guest believes otherwise and in fact we can all learn how to do anything better by understanding how winning streaks work. Here to explain is Ben Cohen is a sports reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of the book, The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streaks (https://amzn.to/32gobSl). I bet some English teacher somewhere during your education told you that you should never end a sentence with a preposition. However, following that rule can be difficult as any writer knows because it makes for awkward sentences. So, is it really a rule and where did it come from? Listen as I explain whether you should really bother to follow that rule. Source: Patricia O’Connor author of “Woe Is I” (https://amzn.to/3igwWkT) We all have had to do work that requires real careful concentration. Yet in today’s world of distractions, it can be a real challenge to stay focused without interruption. Cal Newport has researched this and come up with some great insight into how to get that important work done even when other people are interrupting your concentration and pulling you in different directions. Cal is a writer and an assistant professor of computer science at Georgetown University and host of the podcast Deep Questions. https://www.calnewport.com/podcast/. He is also author of the book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (https://amzn.