Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols: Book Overview & Takeaways

Why are humans so drawn to water? How do we benefit by looking at, being near, and being in water? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state he refers to as Blue Mind. He shares ways we can enjoy water’s benefits and discusses the challenges that some face in having access to water. Continue reading for an overview of this book that will have you thinking about water in a new way.

Trust in Marketing: The Basis of Profitability (Seth Godin)

How important is trust in marketing? How can you concretely build it and keep it? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin discusses two approaches: Interruption Marketing and Permission Marketing. Both owe their profitability to the fact that they built customer trust in a brand. However, Godin asserts that Permission Marketing builds trust in a far more cost-effective way. Read more to learn about building customer trust through Godin’s permission model.

John List’s The Voltage Effect: Book Overview & Takeaways

Is your idea scalable? If so, what’s the best way to scale it over time? In his book The Voltage Effect, John List uses the word “voltage” to describe the power and momentum of scalable ideas. He lays out a framework for building and preserving your idea’s voltage as you scale. Continue reading for an overview of John List’s The Voltage Effect.

The Third Door: Alex Banayan Uncovers the Mindset of Success

How do people like Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates succeed? What lessons from their lives and careers can you apply to your own? In The Third Door, Alex Banayan writes that success is like a nightclub with three doors. He argues that the third door is the best—and really, only—route to getting ahead of the crowd. He learned this from interviewing (and trying to interview) several wildly successful people. Continue reading for an overview of Banayan’s book, and find out what “the third door” is.

How to Choose a Topic & Develop Ideas for Maximum Impact

Have you been asked to give a speech or write an article? How should select the subject matter and flesh out what you’re going to say? In Public Speaking for Success, Dale Carnegie shares advice on how to choose a topic and develop ideas. While his tips are provided in the context of public speaking, they’re applicable to essays, books, and more. Continue reading to learn how to figure out what topic and ideas you should present.

Warren Buffett’s Intrinsic Value Formula: How He Finds Good Deals

How does Warren Buffett determine what companies he should invest in? Why does he look for a margin of safety? One of Warren Buffett’s investing strategies is to buy stock in companies that are undervalued. In order to identify such companies, he calculates a company’s intrinsic value. Then, he translates that value into a margin of safety. Keep reading to learn Warren Buffett’s intrinsic value formula, as described in The Warren Buffett Way by investment professional Robert G. Hagstrom.

The Polarization of Political Parties: Why the GOP Is Impacted More

How has growing political polarization in America affected Democrats and Republicans? Why are these parties impacted differently? The Democratic and Republican parties are different, not just in their platforms, but in their culture and makeup. Ezra Klein says that this explains why political polarization affects these two major parties differently. Continue reading to understand the polarization of political parties in America.

Get It Right: The Importance of Accurate Data in Market Research

Are you skilled at knowing when data is misleading? Can you recognize false positives? When you test your ideas in various markets, you get data that can be invaluable. But, inaccurate data will send you off in the wrong direction. In the context of market research, economist John A. List discusses the importance of accurate data and shares strategies on how to recognize false positives. Read more to learn how to get more accurate data in market research.

Seth Godin: A Marketing Strategy Based on Permission

What’s the best way to approach prospective customers? What’s the most profitable level of permission you can get from customers? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin establishes the broad basics of his approach: Make long-term investments in your customers, and personalize offers for each individual. Then, he gets more specific and outlines the steps you can take to set up and profit from a permission marketing campaign. Keep reading to learn the basics of Seth Godin’s marketing strategy as presented in Permission Marketing.

Work Hard to Achieve Your Goals—and Know When to Rest

Do you have defined professional and personal goals? How much work are you willing to put in to reach them? How much effort are they worth? Tim Ferriss collected advice from experts in various fields, and many of them spoke about the importance of hard work, especially in the pursuit of worthy goals. Some also highlighted the importance of working smart and not overdoing it. Read more to get inspired to work hard to achieve your goals and to find wisdom about where to draw the line.