Shortform Books

How to Use the Contrast Effect Bias to Be More Persuasive

What made John F. Kennedy such an effective communicator? How might you use the same techniques? If you want to influence people, you must understand what makes them tick. In How Highly Effective People Speak, Peter D. Andrei shows how to take advantage of cognitive biases to persuade people. One of these is the contrast effect bias. Continue reading to see how using the contrast effect in your communication is one of the most effective ways to improve your rhetorical skills.

How to Practice Effectively: 3 Ways to Make the Most of Practice

Do you keep a practice journal? Is your practice too easy or repetitive, or does it stretch you? In Decoding Greatness, Ron Friedman shares his advice for doing great work—whether that means getting a show at an art gallery, winning a marathon, or nailing a big product pitch. One strategy for improving your performance is effective practice. Read on to learn how to practice effectively by implementing Friedman’s three recommendations.

The 3 Essential Elements of a Customer-Focused Strategy

What is a customer-focused strategy in business? How can you use it to generate more business growth and success? Clayton Christensen argues that, in today’s competitive landscape, achieving business success requires more than just offering a good product or service. He claims that a customer-focused strategy is what it takes to win over customers in the long term and truly satisfy their expectations. Read on to learn Christensen’s explanation of a customer-focused strategy in business.

How to Manage Your Time at Work: The 90-Minute Flow

Do you always take more time on tasks than you expect to? What’s the key to realistic planning and higher productivity? If you’re like most people, there’s a gap between who you are and who you want to be. You wish you could get more done in less time. Grace Lordan says that, first, you must get real when it comes to planning. Then, she recommends a work schedule that helps you take advantage of flow. Continue reading to learn how to manage your time at work and ultimately get more done.

The Future of Civilization: The Rise of Micro-Sovereignties

What’s the future of civilization? How will society be structured? James Davidson and William Rees-Mogg contend that, as nation-states decline in the 21st century, millions of micro-sovereignties will rise to take their place. These could be city-states or even individual estates where a wealthy person gets to decide what laws apply to her own property. Keep reading to learn Davidson and Rees-Mogg’s predictions for the future of civilization and the road they believe we’ll take to get there.

How to Grow Your Career as a Startup: Follow These 3 Principles

How do you grow your career like a startup? What are three entrepreneurship principles everyone should follow? There are three principles you need to treat your career like a startup: developing your competitive edge, becoming adaptive to changing circumstances, and cultivating a network of supporters. By applying these principles, you can stand out from your competitors, make bold career decisions, and navigate unexpected obstacles. Continue reading to learn how to grow your career, according to Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha’s book The Startup of You.

How to Sustain Business Growth: Switch From CEO to Adviser

Once your business has achieved success, how should your role change? Should you grow by merger and acquisition or go public? In Ready, Fire, Aim, Michael Masterson explains that successful, multimillion-dollar businesses progress through four stages of development: launch, expand, optimize, and sustain. For this last stage, he recommends moving to an adviser role and focusing on tactics that promote continued growth. Read on to learn how to sustain business growth with Masterson’s strategies.

How to Be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo: Overview

What’s “mindful loving”? Do you want a long-lasting, healthy, and fulfilling love? In How to Be an Adult in Relationships, David Richo says the secret to a stable relationship is mindful loving. It’s a compassionate, realistic approach to love based on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. Read below for a brief overview of How to Be an Adult in Relationships.

What Causes Procrastination? The 3 Psychological Culprits

What causes procrastination? Why is it so hard to take the first step to get to work? In The Procrastination Cure, Damon Zahariades offers several reasons why people procrastinate. We’ve compiled these reasons into three categories: your brain prefers immediate rewards, fear and negative self-esteem get in the way, and you’re scared to take the first step. Let’s look at these causes of procrastination to get a better idea.

Confident Body Language 101: Master the Nonverbal Cues

Want to learn how to have more confident body language? What kind of body language expresses confidence? In the quest for confidence, understanding the secrets of body language can be your greatest ally. Renowned communication experts Allan and Barbara Pease reveal the key to unlocking confident body language in their book, The Definitive Book of Body Language. Read on to learn the basics of expressing confident body language, according to Allan and Barbara Pease.