Shortform Books

The Fallout of Progressive Politics in America

Why have progressive politics in America started to slow down and, in some cases, even move backward? How did the election of Barack Obama divide the country? The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States was an important step forward for Black representation and for racial equality. However, the election had some unexpected consequences and ended up setting back some diversity and equality progress due to many white Americans wanting revenge. Here’s what Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste, had to say about the fallout of progressive politics in America.

The 2 Types of Competition in Business

What are the types of competition in business? Why are conservative companies reluctant to invest in hot new technologies? In Poor Charlie’s Alamanack, Charlie Munger identifies both competition between rivals and creative destruction through technology as the two primary types of competition in business. Competition between rivals can be friendly or fierce, while competition caused by new technology can either level the playing field or give a company a decisive advantage. This is why Berkshire Hathaway is reluctant to invest in hot new technologies. New technologies are not always easy to understand and the company’s operators prefer to invest in

Psycho-Cybernetics: Review, Context, Critical Reception

Is Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho-Cybernetics worth reading? How can applying Maxwell’s cybernetic principles help you realign your behavior for success? Psycho-Cybernetics is based on the theory that your mind functions according to cybernetic principles—you can program your mind to achieve success and happiness in the same way that you’d program a machine to achieve the results that you want. Maltz suggests a number of methods to help you to consciously: raise awareness of your current self-image, release your limitations, build your self-confidence, and increase your ability to achieve success. This Psycho-Cybernetics review covers the book’s context, background, and critical reception by

How to Invest Wisely in the Stock Market

How do you master how to invest wisely? What is the investment strategy of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger? You master how to invest wisely when you learn to find fairly-priced, high-quality businesses with good management. Buffett and Munger applied these principles along with a focus on investing in companies that are underpriced by the market to become the legends they are today. Read on to fully discover how to invest wisely in the stock market.

How to Program Your Mind for Success

Is it possible to condition yourself for success? How can you make yourself act in ways that are conducive to your goals? According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, your mind works similar to a machine. Therefore, he argues, you can program yourself to act in a goal-oriented way—the key is to learn to use your imagination constructively. In this article, we’ll explore how to program your mind for success, according to Maltz.

Expect the Best: Belief Unfolds Opportunity

Do you consider yourself an optimistic person? Do you always bank on the best possible outcome even if all odds are against you? The basic factor of succeeding in anything is learning to believe it’s possible. William James summed it up with this famous quote: “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures a successful outcome.” Here is how expecting the best can actually draw the best to you.

The Advantages of Extracurricular Activities for Children

What are the advantages of extracurricular activities? How does engaging your children in extracurricular activities help them develop grit? In her book Grit, Angela Duckworth discusses the many benefits extracurricular activities have in the development of grit. They help children cultivate the four elements of grit, develop high self-esteem, and improve academic performance. Keep reading to learn how extracurriculars can help your child develop grit.

Understanding Leadership in Egalitarian Cultures

How to Embrace Vulnerability in Leadership

What is an egalitarian culture? How does egalitarianism manifest in leadership? In an egalitarian culture, the power distance is low. In other words, everybody is equal—even in the workplace. Members of egalitarian cultures are also more likely to act on their own and ask for forgiveness instead of permission. Keep reading to learn about the key characteristics of egalitarian cultures and how they develop.

How to Plan Your Goals: The 2 Steps to Success

Do you want to know how to plan your goals and follow through? What do you think is the main obstacle? Most people have at least some idea of the goals they want to achieve. The challenge comes in creating a realistic and actionable plan on which they can follow through. In his book The Sligh Edge, Jeff Olson lays out a two-step process for planning your goals: 1) design a representation of your goal, and 2) create a blueprint for carrying it out. We’ll explore both of these principles below.

Erin Meyer: Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures

How does time perception differ across cultures? What are the two types of cultural time perception? Time isn’t a fixed item—it is a concept, and each culture conceptualizes time differently. In her book The Culture Map, cultural expert Erin Meyer divides the methods of perceiving time into two overarching types: linear-time (aka monochronic) and flexible-time (aka polychronic). In this article, we’ll explain the difference between monochronic and polychronic cultures and present some strategies you can use when working with people who perceive time differently than you do.