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Ignite: Unlock your Brain's potential with the Science of Habits, Focus, and Emotional Resilience
'A tour de force. Drawing on cognitive psychology, neuroscience and her own experience, this book offers compelling lessons for how busy people can lead better lives.'Richard Layard
What if the key to a happier, more balanced life was already inside your head?
As a professor of financial economics Neeltje van Horen excelled in a demanding career – but constant self-doubt and stress left her feeling stuck. Seeking a way out, she turned to neuroscience and psychology and discovered how retraining her brain – one small habit at a time – transformed her life.
In Ignite, van Horen shares her journey and her discoveries. Blending relatable stories, cutting-edge research and practical strategies, she reveals how small, intentional changes can deliver meaningful results. Recognising that everyone's path is unique, she offers a range of techniques, helping you discover what aligns best with your needs and aspirations.
Whether you're looking to boost mental performance, break free from negative thought patterns or restore balance in your life, Ignite gives you the tools to unlock your brain's potential – and change your life
What if the key to a happier, more balanced life was already inside your head?
As a professor of financial economics Neeltje van Horen excelled in a demanding career – but constant self-doubt and stress left her feeling stuck. Seeking a way out, she turned to neuroscience and psychology and discovered how retraining her brain – one small habit at a time – transformed her life.
In Ignite, van Horen shares her journey and her discoveries. Blending relatable stories, cutting-edge research and practical strategies, she reveals how small, intentional changes can deliver meaningful results. Recognising that everyone's path is unique, she offers a range of techniques, helping you discover what aligns best with your needs and aspirations.
Whether you're looking to boost mental performance, break free from negative thought patterns or restore balance in your life, Ignite gives you the tools to unlock your brain's potential – and change your life
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
6 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 16, 2025
I am not usually drawn to self-help books, often finding them either superficial or extended versions of a blog post. However, I picked up Ignite due to the author’s reputation as a respected economist—not your typical business school professor or journalist.
In this book, Neeltje van Horen shares her personal journey of grappling with self-worth and the pursuit of self-improvement. Her exploration takes her from memory training to a visit at a neuroscience centre, blending personal experience with academic insight. The book is well-referenced, reflecting her academic background, and includes useful end-of-chapter summaries, making it accessible for those who want a quick takeaway without reading the entire book.
The chapters focus on key areas for improving personal productivity, particularly in intellectual pursuits. Topics like time management, physical activity, emotional control, and self-organisation are central to the book. While much of it resonated, some parts, like the chapter on meditation, didn’t appeal to me personally (I’m not convinced on its benefits).
While Ignite excels at offering practical strategies for self-improvement, I found the social dimension of well-being and as a goal lacking. Social connections seem here more like tools to achieve personal goals rather than intrinsic aims. This oversight aside, it is a solid guide for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and well-being.
In this book, Neeltje van Horen shares her personal journey of grappling with self-worth and the pursuit of self-improvement. Her exploration takes her from memory training to a visit at a neuroscience centre, blending personal experience with academic insight. The book is well-referenced, reflecting her academic background, and includes useful end-of-chapter summaries, making it accessible for those who want a quick takeaway without reading the entire book.
The chapters focus on key areas for improving personal productivity, particularly in intellectual pursuits. Topics like time management, physical activity, emotional control, and self-organisation are central to the book. While much of it resonated, some parts, like the chapter on meditation, didn’t appeal to me personally (I’m not convinced on its benefits).
While Ignite excels at offering practical strategies for self-improvement, I found the social dimension of well-being and as a goal lacking. Social connections seem here more like tools to achieve personal goals rather than intrinsic aims. This oversight aside, it is a solid guide for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and well-being.
April 5, 2025
It took me a while to read this book because there's a lot to digest, but in a really good way. Lots of useful information and unlike many 'brain-training' books not just focused on boosting your memory but a wider approach on boosting the functionality of your brain to improve your life in many ways.
The author is obviously very well read on this topic and draws on many books in the self improvement market pulling out the highlights to support her ideas. I've already started a couple of the brain training apps that she used and I am thinking about how else I can apply some of the knowledge I gained reading this book.
If you are interested in learning about changes to can make to boost your brain this book is for you.
The author is obviously very well read on this topic and draws on many books in the self improvement market pulling out the highlights to support her ideas. I've already started a couple of the brain training apps that she used and I am thinking about how else I can apply some of the knowledge I gained reading this book.
If you are interested in learning about changes to can make to boost your brain this book is for you.
December 29, 2025
Like a LOT of these books, this is an amalgam of all the other ones. But she does have a couple of things here, I have not read about before. And her approach is very measured and scientific.
The Riopy musician she mentioned is pretty cool -
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3340.89
The Riopy musician she mentioned is pretty cool -
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3340.89
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews