Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

How to Identify Your Natural Public Speaking Strengths

Do you tend to see the best in people? Is it easy for you to open up to others, even strangers? Do you make people laugh (with you, not at you)? John C. Maxwell estimates that he’s spoken over 13,000 times throughout his career, and he shares his wisdom in his book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. He recommends that, as you prepare to speak, you figure out your strengths so you know how to play to them. Read on to learn about four public speaking strengths and how to determine your own.

His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life (Book Overview)

What did Jimmy Carter learn from Admiral Rickover? What did Carter do during the Civil Rights Movement that he later regretted? What dominated his last year in the White House? In His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the complicated history of the person he suggests is one of the US’s most underrated presidents. He chronicles the life of Jimmy Carter, from his childhood to the decades after his presidency. Continue reading for an overview of this book that asks us to see Jimmy Carter’s presidency in a different light.

The Genius Move: 5 Steps to Turn Your Focus to What You Control

When you feel unhappy, do you know the cause? What’s the solution? Each moment, you can choose to focus on the things you can control or the things you can’t. Psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the way to be content is to let go of the things you can’t control and instead devote your time and energy to things you can change. Keep reading to learn how to perform the Genius Move when you start thinking about things you can’t control.

How to Learn From Others: Practical Advice From Confucius

When you observe others, what do you learn? What kind of people should you seek to learn from? In The Analects, Confucius discusses the importance of learning from other people. This might be through an actual teacher-learner dynamic or simply through observation. He says it’s important to learn from the right people, and he explains how you can find them. Keep reading for advice from Confucius on how to learn from others.

How to Write an Effective Speech: Tips From John C. Maxwell

Do you know how to write an effective speech? When and how should you use stories and visual aids? How should transitions be structured? According to John C. Maxwell, even experienced speakers prepare extensively before speaking in front of an audience. Of course, preparation includes the actual writing of your speech. Maxwell describes several steps for turning your research and preparation into a memorable message. Continue reading for Maxwell’s expert recommendations that you can put to work for you right away.

Jimmy Carter in the Navy: Under the Tutelage of Adm. Rickover

Who influenced Jimmy Carter as much as his parents did? Why did his naval service end prematurely? We all think of Jimmy Carter as a president and humanitarian, but sometimes we forget that he served in the US Navy in the first part of his career. Biographer Jonathan Alter recounts Carter’s naval service in his book His Very Best. Read more to learn about Jimmy Carter in the Navy.

3 Benefits of Doing What You Love: Life in the Genius Zone

Does your mind tend to get stuck in negative places? Do you feel like you’re not really able to be yourself and thrive in your own way? Gay Hendricks uses the term “Genius Zone” to refer to the mind-body space that you enter when two conditions are met: You’re doing what you love to do, and you’re using your skills to make a positive impact in the world. This, he says, is where you should devote your time and attention. Continue reading to learn the three benefits of doing what you love and making a difference in the process.

Charles Darwin’s Tree of Life: Evidence of Common Ancestry

Are all species related to each other way back? Do we have a common ancestor? In On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin argues that modern species are related through shared ancestry. He provides two pieces of evidence for this theory: the similarity of traits between related organisms and the breeding characteristics of hybrids. Let’s take a look at the evidence for Charles Darwin’s “tree of life.”

Why Do Simple Organisms Still Exist? Charles Darwin Explains

Does natural selection have anything to do with the simplicity or complexity of an organism? Does the process of evolution ever end? Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was controversial in its time, even among scientists. In the final edition of On the Origin of Species, released in 1872, Darwin responds to objections raised by skeptics. One of these is that simple organisms continue to exist even after some evolved into complex ones. Read more to learn Darwin’s rebuttals in defense of his theory.

Confucius Weighs in on the Importance of Hard Work in Life

Do you feel guilty when you know you could have done more? Could you be more productive if you arranged your life differently? In The Analects, Confucius teaches that good people work hard. So, if you want to be a decent person and live a meaningful life, you must put your mind to everything you do and give it your best. Continue reading to learn about the importance of hard work in life, according to Confucius.