Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

How to Prepare a Speech & Deliver It in 4 Simple Steps

Have you been asked to speak in front of a group? Where should you start? Whether you’re in school or on the job, you’re likely to be called upon to make a presentation. You might be asked to make a toast at a wedding or a eulogy at a memorial service. Opportunities for public speaking abound, and having the skills to prepare and deliver a talk can set you apart and put you ahead. Keep reading to learn how to prepare a speech and deliver it.

Benefits of Speed-Reading: 4 Ways It Makes Life & Work Better

How would your life change if you could read faster? What opportunities would open up? It’s probably obvious that speed-reading enables you to read more. But, it also can improve your focus on—as well as the comprehension and memory of—what you read, give you more joy and confidence in reading, and broaden your expertise. Let’s dive into the details of these benefits of speed-reading.

Arthur Brooks’s From Strength to Strength: Book Overview

Are you in the second half of your life? Have you thought about how your career might better reflect the stage of life you’re in? As you get older, certain skills and abilities decline. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t thrive professionally. Arthur Brooks’s From Strength to Strength is a practical how-to book that can help you think about success differently and find work that suits your changing brain. Continue reading for an overview of this encouraging and equipping book.

How to Choose a Book to Read: Start With a Clear “Why”

Have you ever read a book you wish you hadn’t? How can choosing the right reading material help you get more out of what you read? What’s the difference between efferent reading and aesthetic reading? In 10 Days to Faster Reading, Abby Marks Beale and the Princeton Language Institute share several speed-reading strategies. It might seem surprising, but one strategy is to be selective when choosing your reading material. Continue reading to learn how to choose a book to read and why selecting well can help you read faster and understand more.

Malcolm X: Mecca Opened His Eyes to Racial Harmony

Why did Malcolm X go to Mecca? What did he learn during his time in the Middle East? Why did he change his name a second time? In his autobiography, Malcolm X explains that he’d heard criticism that the Nation of Islam wasn’t truly Islamic. And, because he was still a firm believer in Islam, he decided he needed to learn more about the religion. What he found put him on a new path both religiously and politically. Keep reading to learn about Malcolm X’s Mecca experience.

Managing Emotions in Communication: 4 Ways to Keep Your Cool

Do you tend to raise your voice or stop listening when you get frustrated? When you’re angry, do all of the right words come out in the right order? Emotions are a huge part of life. So is communication. When emotions and communication come together, the message often gets lost. That’s why James Williams identifies emotional control as a core communication skill. Continue reading to learn how to effectively handle emotions in communication.

Career Decline: Are You Professionally “Losing It” as You Age?

At what stage are you in your career? Does it feel like you’re slowing down while the work—and your colleagues—are racing ahead? Supermodels and professional athletes aren’t the only ones whose professional attributes carry an expiration date. That’s the view of management expert Arthur Brooks, the author of From Strength to Strength. He presents the problem of professional decline and shares strategies to pivot and flourish as you get older. Read more to gain an understanding of career decline as it very well could relate to your life.

The 3 Characteristics of a One-Person Business (+ Pros & Cons)

What exactly is a one-person business? How is it different from other types of companies? Is it the right choice for you? In Company of One, Paul Jarvis advocates for one-person businesses that limit their growth and focus on creating quality products and services. He argues that, by owning such a company, you can exercise more control over your work and form meaningful, successful relationships with customers. Read more to learn the three main characteristics of a one-person business.

Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind: Book Overview & Takeaways

Did you have to acquire a taste for beer or wine? Does social drinking help you fit in? Is drinking in moderation beneficial? Most alcohol addiction programs are designed to get you to resist the temptation to drink; you’re left with the impression that you’re missing out by abstaining. This Naked Mind, a book by Annie Grace, offers a different approach: See alcohol for the nasty poison it truly is, and you won’t even want to drink. Continue reading for an overview of Grace’s practical book This Naked Mind.

To Read Nonfiction Faster, Do This Before You Read

What should you do before you read a work of nonfiction? How can reading more content actually help you read faster? The authors of 10 Days to Faster Reading offer this surprising speed-reading strategy: Familiarize yourself with the content before you begin. It might seem like you’re taking unnecessary extra time, but you’ll be able to read faster—and with more comprehension—when you take this step. Let’s take a closer look at this reading strategy.