Shortform Books

The Tortured Artist: Does Sadness Give Us Creative Power?

What is the “tortured artist” stereotype? How are creativity and sadness related? Are naturally creative people more prone to sadness? The tortured artist stereotype has long been associated with creativity and sadness, and according to Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet, there may be a connection between the two. However, while sadness can trigger increased creativity, it’s not the only way to increase it. Learn how Cain explains sadness, creativity, and the tortured artist.

Matthew Perry’s Relapse and Recover Cycle of Addiction

When did Matthew Perry relapse back into drugs and alcohol? How did the show Friends ending affect his sobriety? In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry claimed that it was difficult to keep a steady career after the hit show Friends ended. Unable to find another show to fill the Friends void, Perry went back to harmful substances to cope. Continue reading to learn more about Perry’s relapse after Friends.

How to Practice Visualization Manifestation

What is visualization manifestation? How does simply imagining that you already have what you want help you make it a reality? Visualization is a powerful manifestation tool because your brain can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what you visualize. According to Roxie Nafousi, the author of Manifest, the key to making visualization work is to imagine what you want in painstakingly vivid detail. Here’s how to practice visualization manifestation.

The Top 3 Dopamine Detox Quotes by Thibaut Meurisse

Do you check your phone first thing when you wake up? Are you regularly pulled into the black hole of YouTube or Instagram in the middle of your workday? If you said yes to any of the questions above, you might need a dopamine detox. In his book Dopamine Detox, Thibaut Meurisse perfectly explains the dark side of dopamine and how you can get rid of it so you can stay shaped and focused. Let’s look at Dopamine Detox quotes that sum up Meurisse’s main ideas.

How Do Humans Talk? The System & Mechanics of Speech

How do humans talk? What’s the infinite combinatorial system? What body parts do we use when we speak? In The Language Instinct, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker explains the basics of human language. He discusses the ingenious infinite combinatorial system as well as the physical mechanics of speaking. Keep reading to learn how humans talk.

The 5 Steps to Making a Gamification System for Your Business

What is a gamification system? How does it promote motivation and engagement? How can you create one for your business? In Actionable Gamification, Yu-kai Chou explains how a gamification system uses techniques, like setting milestones for desired behaviors and achievements, to engage customers or improve employee productivity. However, Chou claims this system only works when implemented appropriately. Read on to learn Chou’s five steps for creating a gamification system for your business.

What Does Hopelessness Feel Like? Why Hope Is Elusive

What does hopelessness feel like? Why is it so hard to find hope sometimes? According to Mark Manson’s book Everything Is F*cked, hopelessness feels like a painful, meaningless existence, leading to a life filled with either constant pursuit of pleasure or apathy and depression. He further explores why it’s difficult to find hope, including how being alive can be traumatic. Read on to learn about what hopelessness feels like and why hope can be hard to find, according to Manson.

How to Prioritize Yourself: The 3 Principles to Follow

Are you in need of self-care treatment? How do you prioritize yourself over everyone else’s needs? Even if you are an empathetic, caring person, you still need to put your own needs above others. In Be Your Future Self Now, Benjamin Hardy says that prioritizing your growth can help you connect to your higher self, thus you won’t get distracted by unnecessary tasks and activities. Here’s how to prioritize yourself and increase your self-discipline.

3 Reasons Why a Supportive Team Is Better Than Working Alone

What are the benefits of working in a team? How can being in a supportive team prime everyone for success? You’re more likely to achieve success when you work with a team than when you work on your own. When a group of people collectively work toward a goal, their combined knowledge, expertise, and resources allow them to achieve much more than they could on their own. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of supportive teams.

Before “I Do”: How to Find the Right Partner for Marriage

How can you mitigate the risk of divorce? What personality traits should you look for? How many different types of love do you need? David Brooks takes the relationalist approach to life. In The Second Mountain, he outlines the four commitments that are crucial to relationalism. One of these is marriage, and he shares his criteria for deciding whether to marry someone. Read more to learn Brooks’s advice for how to find the right partner for marriage.