Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Direct Your Attention to These 2 Places to Avoid Burnout

What’s an “attention economy” mindset? Is your attention susceptible to manipulation? In How to Do Nothing, professor and visual artist Jenny Odell argues that the feeling that you always need to be doing something is created by broader social and economic forces. She contends that directing your attention to “non-productive” things is a form of healing and social activism. Read more to learn the importance of where you direct your attention and how to reclaim control of it.

How to Connect With Your Audience: Tips From John C. Maxwell

When you speak, do people tune out? How does your audience know that you care about them? According to John Maxwell, your primary goal when communicating should be to connect with your audience and to provide them with valuable and meaningful content. He explains why connection matters and how to build it. Keep reading for Maxwell’s advice on how to connect with your audience when you speak.

The Four Mechanisms of Evolution (On the Origin of Species)

How much did Charles Darwin understand genetics? Where did the term “survival of the fittest” come from? A foundational work in the field of biology, On the Origin of Species revolutionized the way we look at life on Earth. Published in 1859 by the naturalist Charles Darwin, this work explains and argues for his theory of evolution. Keep reading to learn about the four mechanisms of evolution that Darwin believes are at work.

Jesus’ Lifestyle: The Perfect Remedy to a Hurried Life (Even Today)

How fast was the pace of Jesus’ life? How did he observe the Sabbath? Is his lifestyle transferable to modern society? Jesus had a lot of excellent habits. Two of them, in particular, allowed him to cultivate an unhurried lifestyle that gave him peace and helped him accomplish meaningful tasks. John Mark Comer discusses these two habits and urges you to adopt them if you want to escape a hectic existence. Read more to learn about Jesus’ lifestyle that you can emulate.

5 How to Do Nothing Quotes From Jenny Odell (With Context)

How can you keep life’s experiences from being chaotic? What’s #NOMO? Whom do you know better—your neighbors or your Twitter followers? The perceived need to constantly be doing something is overwhelming. You might feel you have to use all your available time to advance your career or accomplish something productive. Jenny Odell says this feeling is created by broader social and economic forces. Read more for several How to Do Nothing quotes that help you understand Odell’s argument that devoting attention to “non-productive” things is a form of healing and social activism.

Darwin’s Theory of Adaptation: How Evolution Shapes Life

What would happen if you moved an animal from one environment to another? Why and how do ecosystems entail the interdependence of organisms? In On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin argues that a process of evolution has shaped the natural world around us. He explains how evolution shapes organisms by adapting them to their environments and ecosystems. Read more to learn about these two aspects of Darwin’s theory of adaptation.

How to Develop Speaking Skills & Never Stop Improving

Do you feel like you’ve run out of topics to talk about? Do you actively look for inspiration and ideas? Communication skills never go out of style. They’re an asset throughout your life and career. John C. Maxwell urges you to grow in your speaking abilities throughout your lifetime, and he provides a couple of practical tips to do this. Continue reading to learn how to develop speaking skills with recommendations from one of the best.

The Analects: Confucius’s Philosophies for Life (Overview)

What’s the best way to learn about the world? How can you avoid telling lies, even by accident? How might you get people to trust you as a leader? These are just a few questions that Confucius answers in The Analects, a collection of his philosophies. The teachings cover topics such as showing respect for your parents, living a life of integrity, the value of hard work, and the Chinese principles of ren and wuwei. Continue reading for an overview of one of the foundational books of Confucianism.

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Quotes From John Mark Comer

What determines the person you become? What’s the antidote to a hectic life? What often keeps people from a meaningful life of spiritual devotion? In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, pastor and author John Mark Comer explores our cultural obsession with rushing and examines how it harms our relationships, health, and spirituality. He argues that you can escape this culture of rushing by following the lifestyle of Jesus. Continue reading to read several The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry quotes that provide insight into the book’s themes.

Study the Past: Why Confucius Urges Us to Respect Tradition

Why doesn’t Confucius think he came up with any new ideas? If you want to be a good person, where does Confucius think you should start? Confucius looked back to the values and practices of the past to find wisdom for living today. He believed that certain traditions are worth keeping alive. This is reflected in The Analects, where he discussed the importance of respecting where we come from. Read more to learn why we would do well to study the past and respect tradition as Confucius did.