Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

What Is Discipline in Life—and Why Is It So Difficult?

What is discipline in life? Why does it matter? Why do we often find it a struggle? Almost everyone has experienced situations where, despite knowing what they should do, they’re compelled by an inner voice to do something easier or more enjoyable. Daniel Walter explains that, if you allow these temptations to dictate your actions, you’ll never reach your full potential. Continue reading to learn what discipline is and the reasons why we struggle with it.

Roland Barthes: Myth’s Creation, Function, & Dangers

What’s a myth? How is a myth made and used? Are myths dangerous? According to 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes, myth is all around us. In Mythologies, he discusses the process of mythmaking. He identifies the basic components of myth and explains what function they have in society. He also warns that myths can pose certain dangers. Continue reading to understand Barthes’s take on myth.

Stream-Aligned Teams: The Primary Team Topology

How much authority should a stream-aligned team have? What makes these teams so efficient? When you think of “stream,” think of “flow.” That’s a key aspect of stream-aligned teams. It’s the primary of four team topologies discussed by software engineers and authors Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. Continue reading for an overview of what stream-aligned teams are designed to do.

How to Develop Self-Discipline: 7 Habits to Make You Stronger

Do you start the day off right? When you lose motivation, do you push past the moment? When was the last time you left your comfort zone? Self-discipline is hard. But, you can strengthen your ability to self-discipline. In his book, Daniel Walter argues that the best way to improve this ability is to get rid of bad habits and replace them with good ones that support discipline. Continue reading to learn how to develop self-discipline with good habits.

How to Stick to Your Goals: Tips for Committing 100%

Do you set worthy goals only to give up along the way? What can you do, practically, to make it all the way there? It’s easy to set goals. It can be difficult to achieve them. To make reaching them easier, be careful with the way you set goals and then commit yourself completely. Daniel Walter discusses goals in the context of self-discipline and provides some valuable insights. Read more to learn how to stick to your goals and to get some tips on setting SMART goals to boost your commitment.

How to Recognize Propaganda: 3 Tell-Tale Features

How pervasive is propaganda? How can you tell when a message is manipulative? Propaganda is all around us. It might be a song, an image, an advertisement, or a headline. In Mythologies, Roland Barthes explains how myth is basically propaganda. He warns against its influence, so it’s important to know it when you see it. Keep reading to learn how to recognize propaganda and keep from being deceived and used.

Desired Reality: How to Identify What You Want to Experience

What’s your desired reality? What brings you joy? What inspires you? Vadim Zeland argues that, since your version of reality simply reflects your emotional energy, you can control which version of reality gets reflected back to you by matching your emotional energy with that reality. One way to redirect your energy is to identify your desired reality. Continue reading for Zeland’s advice on how to do this, along with some input from a few psychologists and self-improvement authors.

Team Topologies: Enabling Teams Are Here to Help

Does your organization have enabling teams? What difference do they—or could they—make? In Team Topologies, enabling teams function as helpers that come alongside other teams to keep them running with efficiency and relevance. They stay up to date on the latest technologies and skills, and then they share this knowledge with the teams that need it. Read on to understand the purpose and function of enabling teams.

Cultural Myths: What We Learn From Roland Barthes’s Essays

Are there hidden messages in the way news is reported? What myths does Hollywood perpetuate? Many of Roland Barthes’s essays provide concrete examples of how myths are used to reinforce cultural norms and values. Particularly, these essays seek to unmask class, gender, race, beauty, and political constructs. Read more to see how Roland Barthes’s essays shed light on cultural myths.

See Your Future Self: How to Practice Living in Your Ideal Reality

If you were living your ideal life, how would you behave? How would you feel? What would your mindset be? According to Vadim Zeland, infinite versions of reality exist. Furthermore, you can train yourself to control which version of reality you live in. One way to do this is to redirect your energy. This involves identifying what you want and then practicing living in your ideal version of reality. To learn how to see your future self, consider this brief discussion of Zeland’s technique along with a related idea from the book Psycho-Cybernetics.