Shortform Books

Daniel H. Pink on How to Increase Intrinsic Motivation

What is intrinsic motivation? What are the three elements of intrinsically motivated behavior? As the name suggests, intrinsic motivation is an internal drive to perform a behavior or engage in an activity. According to Daniel H. Pink, the author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, there are three components of intrinsic motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. In the book, he gives a number of tips on how to increase intrinsic motivation. We’ve grouped them into three categories: 1) personal motivation, 2) motivation in the workplace, and 3) motivation with your children.

How to Find Your Target Audience and Competitors

How do you figure out how to find your target audience in marketing? Why is target market analysis so important? You learn how to find your target audience when you grasp the interconnection between geography, product offering, customer segmentation, distribution, and production. Geography, production, and distribution determine where you can sell your products, while the use-cases of your product offering and customer segmentation determine who you sell your products to. Target market analysis not only helps with target market identification, but it also helps you discover your competitors. Read on to learn more about how to find your target audience.

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino

What is Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World about? What does the greatest salesman in the world have to do with character development? Part self-help techniques, part sales manual, and part Christian allegory, The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino addresses ways we can establish daily habits to strengthen our resolve and character, which will help us achieve our goals. The book’s title is slightly misleading—you’ll find no strategies for how to negotiate a cold call or close a deal. Instead, the story “sells” the premise that becoming a great salesperson means developing a better, stronger

The Role of Storytelling in Communication

What is the role of storytelling in communication? How can storytelling help you get your message across more effectively? Stories have the power to motivate and teach. They are interesting and memorable. That’s why storytelling communication is an important aspect of making your message stick. Keep reading to learn about the power of storytelling in communication.

How the Unconscious Mind Communicates to Us

What is the unconscious mind? How and why does it communicate to us? The unconscious mind makes up the vast majority of our minds. While dreams are perhaps the best-known form of unconscious communication, they aren’t the only form. Such communication can support us in many ways and contribute to our personal growth. Read more to learn about the unconscious mind and how it communicates to us.

How to Recover From Failure: Build Failure Resilience

How did the penguins in Our Iceberg Is Melting recover from failure? What advice do John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber suggest for overcoming setbacks during change? In their fable about leadership and change, John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber discuss how to handle setbacks during the change process in an organization. They talk about the importance of having failure resilience and of empowering employees to boost their morale. Continue reading for advice on how to overcome setbacks during change.

How to Live Off Investments (and Not Run Out of Money)

The Millionaire Next Door and Wealth Building

Do you plan to live off investments when you retire? How much money can you safely withdraw from your portfolio each year? According to financial expert J. L. Collins, withdrawing 3% or less a year is as close to a safe bet as you can get. Collins’s personal strategy, however, is to withdraw around 5%, but to reduce withdrawals to 4% if the market drops. He says it’s also important to be flexible—if you can reduce your expenses when necessary, find temporary work, or move to a cheaper area, you can add a layer of security regardless of the withdrawal

The Road to Character: The Characters Overview

Who are the characters in The Road to Character? In what ways do these historical figures show the importance of selflessness? In his book about morality, David Brooks outlines the achievements of historical figures that were only possible because of selflessness. Had these historical characters been as narcissistic as people in society are today, many great achievements wouldn’t have happened. Continue reading to learn about the historical characters in The Raod to Character.

The Confidence Code: Quotes by Kay and Shipman

Are you looking for The Confidence Code quotes by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In their book The Confidence Code, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman shed light on the psychology behind confidence. You’ll learn what confidence is, why it’s important, and how women seem predisposed to have less of it than men. You’ll learn where confidence comes from and how to build it. Below is a selection of The Confidence Code quotes by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.

Calculate Bond Return With This Easy Method

What is the best way to calculate bond return? What simple method can help you do this? Determining returns on bonds held to maturity is an easier task than calculating returns for stocks. Use this simple method to calculate return on bonds, bearing in mind the potential effects of inflation. Find out how to calculate bond return below.