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

The 5 Best Quotes From The Alchemist (+ Analysis)

What are the best quotes from The Alchemist? How can these quotes help you understand the messages of the book better? In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho teaches us, through the story of a shepherd boy who has the courage to follow his dreams, the power of transformation for our lives. To date, The Alchemist, published in 1988, is Coelho’s best-known work, and it was an international bestseller. Below are some of the top quotes from The Alchemist with analysis.

A Look at Scrum vs. Traditional Project Management

In what ways are the traditional project management methods flawed? How does the Scrum method overcome those flaws? In his book Scrum, Jeff Sutherland compares the Scrum method to more traditional management methods, such as the Waterfall method. Sutherland points out that these traditional methods don’t work well because they’re based on unrealistic optimism, whereas the Scrum method is based on flexibility and reality. Let’s take a look at Scrum vs. traditional project management methods.

The Alchemist—The Ending Explained

Do you want The Alchemist ending explained? What did the treasure symbolize? What did Santiago learn? The end of The Alchemist is where Paulo Coelho drives home his lessons. He discusses the importance of following your dreams, finding love, and becoming one with the universe. Here’s an overview of what happened in the story and an analysis of what it means.

Benefits of Scrum: How Scrum Leads to Happy Teams

What are the main benefits of Scrum? Can the Scrum method really lead to happier teams? Scrum is a framework created by Jeff Sutherland made to help people and organizations efficiently solve complex problems with creative solutions. The Scrum method is also designed to create happy, productive, and creative teams. Here’s a look at the benefits of the Scrum method.

The Alchemist: Symbols and Their Meanings

What are some of the symbols in The Alchemist? What do those symbols mean? In Paulo Coelho’s story The Alchemist, symbols are important. Through these symbols, Coelho shares some deeply important messages about perseverance, love, and destiny. The major symbols in the story are the desert, the oasis, and the treasure. We’ll go over each symbol and its meaning below.

How to Prioritize Tasks in the Workplace

Trying to figure out how to prioritize tasks in the workplace? How can the Scrum method help you decide which tasks should be tackled first? If you have so many tasks at work that you’re overwhelmed, try using Jeff Sutherland’s Scrum method. In his book Scrum, Sutherland teaches readers how to organize their projects by figuring out which tasks will have the biggest impact. Here’s how to organize and prioritize your tasks.

Personal Legends in The Alchemist: What They Mean

What is a Personal Legend in The Alchemist? Why do people tend to abandon their Personal Legends in life? In Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist, the main character, Santiago, embarks on a life-changing journey to follow his dreams. Following your dream, or your Personal Legend, is the core message of the book. Let’s take a look at following your Personal Legend, and what can happen if you ignore it.

How to Use a Tactical Business Plan to Reach Goals

What is a tactical business plan? How can a tactical plan help you turn your business goals into reality? Identifying your business goals is important, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have a plan to execute those goals. In their book Execution, business leaders Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan teach you how to make a tactical plan to bring your business goals to fruition. Here’s how to create a tactical business plan.

Shortform Reads: A Secret Love for Regency Romance

What genre does Ellie refuse to read? What book caused her to make huge changes in her life? Ellie is from the UK and is a Team Editor and Narrations Manager here at Shortform. She’s a huge history buff and has some pretty eclectic reading tastes.

The Importance of Happiness in the Workplace

Does happiness in the workplace matter? How can you measure the happiness levels of your employees? Management expert Jeff Sutherland argues in his book Scrum that happiness in the workplace is essential. He explains that happy employees are more productive and creative, therefore managers and team leaders should be making sure their teams are happy. Continue reading to learn how to measure and increase workplace happiness.