The World's Best Book Summaries
Is there a formula for happiness? If so, how does it work? When your perceptions about life don’t rise to the level of your expectations, you’re unhappy. Happiness results when your perceptions exceed your expectations. This observation underpins Mo Gawdat’s algorithm for happiness that he discusses in his book Solve for Happy. Keep reading to learn about this formula for deep and lasting happiness and the assumptions it’s based on.
Do you struggle with talking to people? Do you want to know how to improve your conversation skills? Conversation skills are well worth developing because our careers, romantic prospects, and social lives depend on connecting with other people. Conversations—even the most trivial, small talk—establish the emotional tone of our interactions and help us gauge how deeply we’d like to connect with each other. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to learn how to improve your conversation skills.
Why are most people not as happy as they want to be? Is there a formula for happiness? The modern world is rife with obstacles to happiness. Many people view happiness as an elusive goal. However, we can be consistently happy if we bring our expectations and perceptions of our lives into alignment. In Solve for Happy, Mo Gawdat outlines an algorithm to do so. Keep reading for an overview of this encouraging book.
Do you struggle with negative thoughts? What are some of the best books that can help rewire your mind for more positivity? Many people live as victims of their own minds, consumed with negative thoughts that seem to control them. If that sounds like you, reading positive thinking books can be an untapped solution to these struggles. Here are Shortform’s picks of the best positive thinking books to add to your reading list.
What is the cycle of addiction? What are the stages of this cycle? Addiction is more complex than taking one sip of alcohol and getting hooked. There’s a cycle people follow when they become dependent on a harmful substance, and it can make recovery extremely difficult. We’ve narrowed down the cycle of addiction into four stages: initial misuse, abuse, addiction, and initial recovery and relapse. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at each stage of the addiction cycle, and how to break the cycle.
Is confidence a skill or something you’re born with? To what extent is confidence a matter of nurture as opposed to nature? Confidence helps you take bold steps in the face of obstacles or adversity because it reminds you that you have the strength to overcome and succeed. Some claim that confidence is a skill that can be developed through practice. Others say that confidence, akin to IQ, is determined by genetics. Here’s what science has to say on the matter.
Why is it important to practice self-discipline? How does your capacity for self-discipline influence your life outcomes? By practicing discipline, you gain control over your thoughts and actions. This allows you to overcome bad habits, false excuses, distractions, and emotions in order to effectively accomplish daily tasks that lead to your long-term goals. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of discipline and some strategies to help you improve it.
Do you avoid asking women out because you’re scared of being rejected? How do you overcome the fear of rejection in dating? You’ll inevitably encounter some women who are clearly disinterested, but that shouldn’t put you off from dating. Fear of rejection is a big impediment to your success with women because it prevents you from trying, and you can’t succeed if you don’t try. With this in mind, here’s how to overcome the fear of rejection in dating.
What are mental models? What are some ways mental models can be useful in your everyday life? Mental models are recurring concepts and patterns that explain a wide array of situations. For example, physicists might use Newton’s law of inertia to predict that planets in motion will remain in motion, and biologists might rely on natural selection to explain the origin of the fight-or-flight response. In this article, you’ll learn about the concept of mental models and how they can be useful in everyday life.
What is attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)? What are the symptoms of ADHD? ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition most often seen in children, but not excluded in adults. In Driven to Distraction, Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey explore the condition, what causes it, and its symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about ADHD.