Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

How to Make an Impact on the World Around You

Do you want to know how to make an impact on the world? How can sharing your values with others make an impact on both of your happiness? According to Jay Shetty, the author of Think Like a Monk, the final step in adopting a monk mindset is to share your values, strength, and compassion with others. It can be difficult to know where to begin, so Shetty describes three opportunities where you can leave a mark. Here are tips on how to make a positive impact.

What Is Social Comparison and Why Is It So Bad?

What is social comparison? Why is comparing yourself to others so harmful? Is social comparison more common today than ever before? Social comparison is the act of comparing yourself to others—whether you know them or not. This act can come in two forms: upward comparison and downward comparison. The motivating factor for any social comparison, however, is the motivation to achieve status. Keep reading to learn all about social comparison and how it affects decision-making and mental health.

Stop Trying to Control Others—It Harms You Both

Do you have a bad habit of trying to control others? Why is it so important to take responsibility for yourself? If you have a codependent personality, then you probably try to control those around you, whether it’s intentional or not. However, when you spend your life trying to control others, you’re allowing other people’s lives to control you. To counter this bad habit, you need to start focusing on your own needs. Here’s how you can regain control of your life and stop focusing on others.

The Paradox of Choice: Quotes by Barry Schwartz

What are the most noteworthy The Paradox of Choice quotes? What do these quotes mean in the context of Schwartz’s book? In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz contends that the vast array of choices presented to us leaves us stressed and indecisive. To lift this burden, Schwartz, a professor of social theory and social action, recommends we learn how to better navigate our choices, from groceries to health insurance. Here are some of the top quotes with explanations.

Who Will Cry When You Die?: Book Overview

What advice does Robin Sharma share in his book Who Will Cry When You Die? What tactics can you use to seize back control of your life? Throughout their lives, many people tend to focus on things like money, work, prestige, and other superficial goals. However, those are also amongst some of the biggest regrets that palliative care nurses hear from their patients. That’s why Robin Sharma put together a book of advice that anybody can follow that will help you take back control in your life and focus on the things that really matter, before it’s too late. Here’s

The 6 Ways to Deal With Negative Thoughts

Do you want to know how to deal with negative thoughts? Do you often stress about circumstances that are out of your control? How can negative thoughts affect your mental health? The quality of your thoughts, both positive and negative, affect your mental health and state. Focusing on negative thoughts can cause overthinking, anxiety, and depression. So, rather than stressing about things that are beyond your control, learn to reframe your thoughts and improve your mental state. Here are some productive ways to process your fearful and negative thoughts.

What Are Counterfactuals—and How Do They Hurt You?

What are counterfactuals? What’s the difference between an upward and a downward counterfactual? Counterfactuals are the hypothetical situations you imagine—such as wondering what life would be like if you had taken that other job. Counterfactuals can go both ways. Upward counterfactuals are when you imagine how things could be better, and downward counterfactuals are when you think of how things could be worse. Learn more about counterfactuals and how they affect mental health.

What Is a Codependent Person? Traits and Causes

What is a codependent person? How does somebody become codependent? In her book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie explores what it means to be codependent and what causes codependency characteristics to develop. The good thing, though, is that—if you realize you have or are developing these negative traits—it’s not too late to reverse the behavior. Continue below to learn all about codependency.

The 3 Categories of Shopping Choices—Explained

What are the three different types of consumer choices? Why can having more shopping choices make you stressed out? According to Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, there are three types of shopping choices you likely encounter in your life: groceries, electronics, and entertainment. With so many products out there to choose from, Schwartz explains each type of choice and why you should or shouldn’t spend time on them. Learn more about the three types of shopping choices below.

Robin Sharma: How to Give Yourself a Break

Do you take enough breaks in life? Why is it so important to give yourself a break? Robin Sharma, self-help guru and the author of Who Will Cry When You Die?, asserts that you should take intentional breaks in order to feel refreshed and energized. The three types of breaks he suggests are a weekly personal break, a short, imaginary holiday, and a one-day break from your watch. Here’s a rundown of the different types of breaks and why it’s so important to cut yourself some slack and let things go sometimes.