The World's Best Book Summaries
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.
Have you ever been in a situation where you intuitively knew the right thing to do but couldn’t explain why or how you arrived at that knowledge? How does intuitive thinking work? Should you always trust your intuition? When we think unconsciously or intuitively, we make judgments without understanding why, or sometimes even without realizing we’ve made them. However, that does not mean that intuitive thinking is a fluke or some higher power guiding us—there is a logical explanation for it. Keep reading to learn how intuition works and how you can access it on demand.
What are some common symptoms of ADHD? What are the primary and secondary symptoms of ADHD? Primary symptoms of ADHD are symptoms of the condition itself, whereas secondary symptoms are the psychological effects of having the disorder. You must identify your symptoms to find and implement the most effective treatment for your ADHD. Here’s a list of common symptoms of ADHD, according to the authors of Driven to Distraction.