Shortform Books

Richard Feynman’s Personality: The Playful Scientist

Did you hear about the time Richard Feynman attended a dance party for deaf students? Did you know he was a drummer with a samba band in Rio? Nobel laureate Richard Feynman is known for his scientific accomplishments. He’s also known for being fun. Never one to turn down an adventure, he seized joy throughout his life. His personality shines through in his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Continue reading for a look at Richard Feynman’s personality as revealed through a few stories in his memoir.

3 Powerful Ways to Become an Inspiration to Others

Want to know how to become an inspiration to others? What steps can you take to convince others to believe in you? According to the authors of The 50th Law, to become an inspiration to others, it’s important to fully believe in yourself. Once you’ve achieved this, there are three principles you can apply to your life that will help you to become an inspiration to others, claim the authors. Read on to learn how to become an inspiration to others, based on the three principles in The 50th Law.

Everyday Mindfulness: How to Savor the Moment

What are the benefits of practicing everyday mindfulness? Why should you savor every tiny moment of your life? Life’s too short to not notice the small details. In Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn, everyday mindfulness will help you stay fully present without missing the best moments in life. Find out how you can practice everyday mindfulness to make the most out of life.

The Centralization of Power: How the People Lost Control

Do you feel powerless to impact politics? Does it seem like the major decisions are made by powerful people far away? You’re not alone—and things haven’t always been this way. In The Power Elite, American sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses how a small group of corporate, military, and political leaders has taken over a vast majority of American political and economic decision-making. Continue reading for Mills’s exploration of how the centralization of power progressed in America at the expense of the people.

Product Workshops Activities That Your Team Will Love

What is a product workshop? What workshop activities can help you through the innovation process? According to Vijay Kumar’s book 101 Design Methods, a product workshop can help your business team brainstorm innovative ideas for new products. Workshopping products is a great way of getting the team to work together, while also scouting out users who may be interested in what you’re selling. Let’s break down the fundamentals of what makes a product workshop effective.

Why Is Coaching Important in Today’s Workplace?

Why is coaching important in today’s workplace? What are the benefits? What does it mean to coach for performance? According to Sir John Whitmore, the reason why coaching is more important than ever in today’s workplace is that we’re more interconnected than ever before. Since leaders are no longer the gatekeepers of information, Whitmore argues that they must embrace a “we’re in it together” mindset. Read on to learn why coaching is important in today’s workplace, according to Whitmore’s explanation.

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff: Book Overview & Takeaways

What is Soundtracks by Jon Acuff about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Soundtracks, Jon Acuff gives readers a set of tools to help them stop overthinking and start chasing their goals. Acuff says that the best way to overcome negative thoughts is to replace them with positive, motivating ones. Read below for an overview of Soundtracks by Jon Acuff.

How Your Thoughts Become Your Reality

How do your thoughts influence your life experiences? How can you harness the power of thought to manifest your desires? Your thoughts become your reality because what you think comes true in a very real sense. This is because your thoughts influence your actions and decisions, which in turn inform your life outcomes. Here’s how your thoughts become your reality and how you can channel your thinking processes to manifest the life you want.

Shortform Reads: When a Book Literally Changes Your Life

What book helped Allie quit her job? What book adaptation is Allie in love with? Allie is from New York and is a host on Shortform’s YouTube channel. She enjoys reading a mixture of historical fiction and nonfiction, and she’s even made some major life changes based on what she’s read.

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith: An Overview of a Classic

What’s so great about the free market? Does self-interest benefit everyone? How should taxes be used? Many economists consider The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith to be one of the major foundational texts of their discipline. Writing in 1776, Smith argues that free markets are the best institution for cultivating a nation’s wealth. Continue reading for an overview of this important classic work.