Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Commitment to Learning: Surrendering to the Master’s Path

Are you willing to look foolish for the sake of learning? If you have a teacher, how well do you trust them? Writer and educator George Leonard says that, if you want to take the path of mastery, you must surrender to it. He explains that mastery of any skill or art is a process, and you have to submit to that process if you want to learn all that you can. Read more to understand the all-in commitment to learning that Leonard describes in his book Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment.

Peter Attia: Sleep Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

Do you get enough sleep? If you don’t, what risks are you taking? According to physician Peter Attia, sleep is something that you shouldn’t neglect if you want to extend the active and fulfilling part of your life. The earlier you start building a habit of quality sleep, the better chance you have of circumventing mental and physical decline. Keep reading to understand why sufficient quality sleep is so important.

How to Identify & Leverage Different Problem-Solving Styles

What approach do you take to problem-solving? What if you could figure out the approach other people take and use that information to influence them? Some people tend to stick with one way to address problems. Others gravitate toward new ways of tackling issues. Influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet explains how you can identify a person’s dominant problem-solving style and communicate with them in a language they understand. Keep reading for Charvet’s tips along with some supplemental advice from workplace coach John Whitmore.

Visualize Learning: How to Train Your Mind for High Performance

What are you learning right now? Can you see yourself nailing it? Visualizing isn’t just about seeing yourself on the other side of a challenge. It’s more about mentally rehearsing the way you break through to the other side. In his book Mastery, educator George Leonard says that mental rehearsals will help get you on the master’s path. Keep reading to discover how to visualize learning and performing the skills and processes of your craft.

Peter Attia: Trauma Must Be Processed if You Want to Be Healthy

Have you experienced trauma? How is it affecting your well-being? According to physician Peter Attia, trauma can be a detriment to your health. In his book Outlive, he shares practical advice on how to take care of your body and mind. Speaking from experience, he contends that your emotional health is something you shouldn’t ignore as you pursue well-being. Read more to learn Attia’s recommendation for processing trauma as well as an alternative approach.

How to Motivate People at Work: The 6 Motivation Patterns

Do you have a hard time getting your team members or colleagues to enthusiastically engage in a new project? Does it seem like they’re on a page that doesn’t even exist in your book? According to influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet, if you learn how someone is motivated, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. She discusses six motivation patterns in a workplace context, but you can use her insights in any setting. Continue reading to learn how to motivate people at work by speaking their motivation language.

Do You Want to Master a New Skill? Heed These 5 Lessons

Do you want to master a new skill? Besides the ins and outs of the skill itself, what should you know? In Mastery, George Leonard contends that pursuing mastery can yield a lifetime of rich experiences and personal growth. He shares five lessons to help you start on the master’s path today: get instruction, see your skill as a practice, submit to the process, visualize learning, and push to the edge. Continue reading to understand each of these lessons in more depth.

Dr. Peter Attia: Your Diet Now Impacts Your Health in Later Life

How much protein should you eat? What about carbs and fats? When is fasting a good idea? According to Dr. Peter Attia, diet is an important factor for your physical and mental capabilities in old age. Normal metabolic function is essential if you want to avoid deadly chronic diseases, and how you eat has an impact on your metabolism. Continue reading to get Attia’s insights on protein, carbs, fats, and fasting.

How to Communicate With Big-Picture vs. Detail-Oriented People

Do you tend to see the forest or the trees? What if people around you see things differently than you do? Each individual makes sense of the world in a unique way. One area in which people usually fall into one category more than another is the way they view things—either in broad strokes or in fine detail. In turn, this informs the way they operate. Shelle Rose Charvet explains how to communicate with both types. Read more to understand big-picture vs. detail-oriented people and speak their language.

How to Get Your Energy Back: 4 Tips for Boundless Enthusiasm

Are you too tired to do what you want to do, much less what you need to do? Do you ever suffer from decision paralysis? In his book Mastery, George Leonard writes about living a fulfilling life. He argues that the master’s path is the only guaranteed way to do it. A life of mastery is one lived in disciplined dedication to your chosen skill, craft, or art. It’s in this context that he discusses energy, and his insights are broadly applicable. Keep reading to learn how to get your energy back and channel it toward a life of fulfillment.