Shortform Books

Why Parents Should Teach Kids to Defer Gratification

Why should parents keep their kids from developing an attachment to immediate gratification? What problems arise when a child doesn’t learn to defer gratification? M. Scott Peck, in his book The Road Less Traveled, argues that the first and most valuable tool you can develop to support spiritual growth is discipline. There are four key components to discipline. One of them is the ability to defer gratification. He explains two problems that can occur when a child fails to learn this skill. Keep reading to learn about the problems that can arise when we don’t defer gratification.

The Ideal Team Player: Quotes by Patrick Lencioni

Are you looking for The Ideal Team Player quotes by Patrick Lencioni? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In The Ideal Team Player, author and business consultant Patrick Lencioni describes the model team player and explains how to develop current employees into team players and make sure you hire team players in the future. The central idea is how the three essential qualities of a team player (hungry, humble, and smart) combined can transform any organization. The following The Ideal Team Player quotes highlight some of the key points.

Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works—Overview

Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works—Reviewed

What is the book Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works about? How does the cascade strategy framework help companies? Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works explores the cascade strategy used by the authors A.G. Lafley (former CEO of P&G) and Roger Martin (former P&G strategic advisor) to double the revenues and profits of Procter and Gamble (P&G) from 2000 to 2009. The cascade strategy helps companies identify their winning aspirations and helps them develop the capabilities and strategies they need to win in the marketplace. Read more about the lessons in business strategy explored in Playing to Win:

Is Government Intervention Good for an Economy?

Why do governments intervene in markets? Is government intervention good for an economy? When there is a market failure of some sort, governments often intervene to restore the economic system. However, if the government sets too many rules, or gets too involved in managing economic operations, it can destroy an economy. In this article, we’ll discuss three possible downsides of government intervention: 1) misallocation of resources, 2) rising costs due to regulations, 3) stifled growth, and 4) distorted incentives due to taxes.

What Causes Global Economic Inequality?

What causes global economic inequality? Do you think it is possible to achieve perfect equality across the world? The vast differences in wealth between people living in different countries can be emotionally troubling. However, given the vast differences in factors underlying economies (geography, natural resources, culture), as well as the complex interaction of such factors, it is impossible to expect economic equality across the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at the factors that underpin global economic inequality.

Trusting Your Gut Feeling: Helpful or Irrational?

Is it a good idea to trust your gut feeling? Is making decisions based on a “feeling” irrational? Can your gut feeling lead you wrong? Both Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell seem to think that trusting your gut feeling is a powerful process and allows us to make quick and intuitive decisions. However, Gladwell does point out some flaws with this type of snap decision-making. Keep reading to learn what Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell have to say about trusting your gut feeling

A Growth Mindset: Think and Change

What are the two types of mindset? What’s the role of mindset in behavior change? There are two primary types of mindset: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that you’re wired a certain way and can’t change. If you have a growth mindset, you believe you can grow if you put in the effort. You’re far more likely to change when you believe that you can. Here’s how having a growth mindset can help you make behavior change a reality.

How to Solve a Fermi Estimation Problem

What’s a Fermi estimation problem? What kinds of information does the Fermi problem probe for? A Fermi problem is a problem that involves making a justified estimation about quantities, degrees, probabilities, or variances. Fermi problems are solved by breaking down seemingly impossible questions into smaller and smaller questions. The idea is that eventually, you’ll be able to separate questions that are truly unknown from questions for which you can at least make an educated guess. Below is an example of a Fermi problem.

The Rule of 100: Creating Discounts and Deals

What is the rule of 100? How can you make a discount seem like a better deal to customers? The rule of 100 states that if a product’s original price is under $100, a percentage-based discount—for instance, 30% off—will appear more attractive to customers. Likewise, if a product’s original price is above $100, a numerical discount—for example, $50 off—will impress customers more. If you apply this rule when creating your discount, you can maximize its attractiveness and increase the likelihood that it’ll be shared. Find out how you can use the rule of 100 to improve your discounts.

Spaced Practice Method: Level Up Your Learning Game

What is spaced practice? How does spaced practice compare to cramming (learning a large amount of information in a very short period of time)? Which technique is more effective and why? Spaced practice is a study technique that involves multiple short study sessions spaced out over time. Spaced practice develops your “underlying habit strength,” which prepares you to use that knowledge when you need it. It may feel less productive than cramming initially because you’ve forgotten some of the material and it feels like you don’t have a grasp of it—but that extra effort is precisely what makes the method