Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

Did the Death of Sam Walton Stunt Wal-Mart’s Growth?

What did Wal-Mart look like prior to the death of Sam Walton? How did Sam Walton’s business strategies inspire others? Before the death of Sam Walton, Wal-Mart had grown to over fifteen thousand stores nationwide and Walton was hoping to expand internationally. Walton had also recently opened Sam’s Club in response to Wal-Mart’s ultra-discount competitors like Price Club. Keep reading to learn what Wal-Mart was like right before the death of Sam Walton.

Brené Brown’s Guidepost #6: Reject Self-Comparison

Why is comparing yourself to others so damaging? How can you work to reject self-comparison? Brené Brown’s guidepost #6 from The Gifts of Imperfection is to reject self-comparison. She says that when we compare ourselves to others, we begin to conform to society’s expectations rather than embracing our individuality. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of self-comparison

Finding Flow Through Yoga, Martial Arts, and Dancing

How can you find flow through movement? Why do yoga, martial arts, and dance tend to induce a flow state? Participating in any form of movement can assist you in finding flow as long as it’s in the context of a goal or social setting that offers structure and challenge. Activities such as yoga, martial arts, and dancing fall in this context and tend to be flow-inducing activities. Here’s how you can find flow with movement.

The Importance of Memory in Reaching the Flow State

What does memory have to do with the flow state? What are some common memory-dependent activities? Why does today’s society devalue memory? The importance of memory shouldn’t be overlooked. Although it’s been determined that memorization isn’t the most optimal learning device, it’s still important for other reasons. Memory activities such as recounting your ancestry, repeating riddles and sayings, and creating ordered systems can promote flow. Keep reading to learn about the link between memory and flow.

Amazon: Customer Focus is Bezos’s Obsession

Why is Jeff Bezos so obsessed with Amazon’s customer focus? To what length does Amazon go to ensure it appears trustworthy? Jeff Bezos believes that Amazon’s success is due to the ability to help customers make purchase decisions, not solely because of sales. That’s why Bezos is obsessed with the customer experience and will go to any lengths to make customers happy. Continue on to learn about Amazon’s customer focus.

The 3 Adult Attachment Styles & What They Mean

What are the three adult attachment styles? Which combinations of styles match up the best? How do you navigate a relationship with mismatched styles? The three adult attachment styles are secure, anxious, and avoidant. Secure attachers make up the majority of the population and can pretty much get along with any other type. On the other hand, if you combine an anxious attacher with an avoidant attacher, you’re looking for trouble. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the three adult attachment styles.

Brené Brown’s Guidepost #5: Follow Your Intuition

Why does Brené Brown say it’s so important to follow your intuition? What are some barriers to trusting intuition? Can they be overcome? Brené Brown’s guidepost #5 from The Gifts of Imperfection says that you need to follow your intuition to live Wholeheartedly. This can be difficult for many because the brain has an overwhelming need for certainty rather than instinct. Here’s why Brené Brown says you need to follow your intuition.

Flow: Book Quotes by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

What are the best Flow book quotes by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi? How can these quotes help deepen your understanding of the book? Though we live longer and have more material wealth than ever, many people feel anxious rather than happy. In Flow, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offers advice on what flow is and how to cultivate it. Here are the best Flow book quotes by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Finding Purpose in Life—Flow Isn’t Everything

If you can regularly reach a state of flow in your life, does that mean you’ll always feel happy and fulfilled? What are the three kinds of life purpose? Even if you’re often in a state of flow, that doesn’t mean you’ll be happy. Finding purpose in life is just as important as finding flow. To live a balanced, meaningful life, cultivate a sense of purpose to guide the goals and activities you pursue. Continue reading to learn why finding purpose in life is so important.

Amazon and Zappos: The Fight for Acquisition

Why did Amazon want to buy Zappos? To what length did Amazon go to get what they wanted? Why did Zappos finally decide to sell to Amazon? In 2005, Zappos was well-known for its online, shoe selling business and Amazon wanted a part of it. Zappos wanted to remain independent but when Amazon sets its sights on an acquisition they always get what they want. Continue reading to learn all about the war between Amazon and Zappos.