Shortform Books

What Is Voter Suppression? Examples and Tactics

What is voter suppression? How do politicians suppress people from exercising their right to vote? Voter suppression in the United States involves any efforts (both legal and illegal) that prevent people from casting their votes. The most effective tactics are gerrymandering (the redrawing of election districts to lock in political advantage for one party) and restricting who is eligible to vote. In this article, we’ll look at a couple of historical examples of voter suppression.

Rachel Hollis: Girls, Stop Apologizing & Making Excuses

What four excuses does Rachel Hollis say you need to let go of? In what ways could you be sabotaging your own goals? In her book Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis outlines the most common excuses women make for not chasing their goals. She examines each excuse and explains why they are false and how they can be overcome. Here are the four most common excuses and why you need to stop making them.

Know Your “Why”: The Key to Staying on Track

Do you struggle to find the motivation to work on your goals? Do you often get sidetracked? Once you’ve figured out what goals to pursue and where to start, turn your attention to why you want to achieve them. The road to your goals can be long and arduous, so reminding yourself of your “Why” can keep you going despite the obstacles. Here’s how to know your “Why,” according to motivational speaker Brian Tracy.

The Toltec Path to Enlightenment: A Quest for Freedom

What is the path to enlightenment according to the Toltec? What do they mean by enlightenment? The Toltec path to enlightenment involves three stages: the mirage of “the real world,” the seed of doubt, and the freedom of control. Authors don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz describe these three phases as subjective realities. The Ruizes believe that, once you break through these stages, you reach total personal freedom. Continue reading to understand the Toltec path to enlightenment.

“Not Having Enough Time” Is Not a Good Excuse

Do you have a goal in mind but you don’t pursue it because of “not having enough time”? How can you make more time in your schedule to focus on your goals? Between work, children, errands, friends, exercise, it seems like there is never enough time to work on yourself and your goals. The hard truth is: there will never be more than 24 hours in a day. However, there are methods you can use to find time to work on your goals. Here are Rachel Hollis’s tips for finding more time to focus on your future.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Quotes

Are you looking for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People quotes by Stephen Covey? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People distills common knowledge and oft-repeated wisdom—from classic philosophy to religious teachings—into seven lifelong practices that help build a successful and fulfilling life. In this self-help classic, author Stephen R. Covey draws on his expertise in business management, his Mormon faith, and his interest in living a life that is not only productive but also aligned with principles such as integrity, honesty, and fairness. Below is a selection of

The 3 Simple Steps to Achieve Your Goals

What are the three steps to achieving your goals in life? Why should you focus on achieving one goal at a time? What should you do if you feel stuck? Sometimes, your goals can feel impossibly out of reach. But if you break down the steps to reaching them into bite-sized pieces, they can feel much more attainable. Here are Rachel Hollis’s three steps to executing your dreams from Girl, Stop Apologizing.

Verbal Communication: Strategies to Use and Avoid

What are some verbal communication strategies you should be aware of? Which ones should you use? Which ones should you avoid? We use various verbal communication strategies when we engage in conversations at home and work. There are three strategies—silence, violence, and “clever stories”—that you should seek to avoid, but it’s important to recognize when they are in use. Two strategies—useful stories and contrasting—lead to constructive dialogue and should be part of your skill set. Continue reading to learn about these verbal communication strategies.

Don Jose Ruiz and Don Miguel Ruiz: The Nagual Spirit

What do don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz teach? How do they pass down Toltec tradition? Don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz are often referred to as “the naguals.” Naguals, sometimes described as dreamers, masters, or scholars, act as a conduit between the spirit and the world. They pass on the teachings of the Toltec—whom the Ruizes say were the intellectual and cultural predecessors of the Aztec. To them, a Toltec is an artist of the spirit: a master storyteller who paints his own reality. Keep reading to learn more about don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz.

Stop Seeking Validation & Holding Yourself Back

Are you putting off your ambitions and goals because you’re worried about what other people will think about them? Did you know that other people rarely think about you? In her book Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis says that you need to stop seeking validation from others and go after your dreams. As it turns out, people rarely think about you or what you’re doing and you could be holding yourself back for no reason at all. Here’s why you should stop worrying about what others think about you.