Shortform Books

How to Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice at Work in 4 Steps

Why is advice-giving a common habit in the workplace? How can you stop giving unsolicited advice at work? In The Advice Trap, leadership coach Michael Bungay Stanier argues that when we use advice-driven leadership at work it creates an unproductive work environment and a lack of team confidence. To stop giving unsolicited advice, Stanier offers four steps to break the advice-giving habit. Read on to learn how to stop giving unsolicited advice, according to Stanier.

How to Overcome Social Anxiety Fast: Just Say Yes

Do you have social anxiety? How do you face your fears of being the center of attention? Being seen and heard in public could be terrifying for some people. For Shonda Rhimes, writer of Year of Yes, she had to work hard to overcome her social anxiety to become the acclaimed writer she is now. Check out how to overcome social anxiety fast with Rhimes’s advice.

How to Build a Supportive Personal Network

What is a personal network? Why is having a personal network important? A personal network consists of relationships with people who have similar issues and are supportive of one another. Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo discusses how a personal network can improve your life and push out the critics. Keep reading to learn how to ignore the critics and build a supportive environment.

The Habit of Procrastination: An Enemy of Self-Discipline

Do you have a tendency to put things off when they need to be done? Has this become a habit for you? Humans struggle with self-discipline. As a result, we fail to reach our goals. One culprit is the biological tendency to procrastinate. When the tendency becomes a habit, we dig the hole even deeper. But, Daniel Walter offers two practical suggestions for climbing out of this hole. Read more to learn about how the habit of procrastination works against you and your ability to self-discipline—and how to fight back against this force.

How to Listen to Your Body for Improved Cognition

What does it mean to listen to your body? How does listening to your body improve your cognitive skills? According to Annie Murphy Paul’s book The Extended Mind, actively engaging with your body means learning how to listen to your body’s subconscious knowledge. Paul argues that listening to your body unlocks a more expansive way of thinking. Read on to learn how to listen to your body to improve your cognitive skills, according to Paul.

How Myths Are Created & Used: Roland Barthes on Mythmaking

Is there a myth behind children’s toys? What symbolic meaning does the Jeep brand carry? According to Roland Barthes, myths occur when society’s dominant institutions imbue an image, object, or phrase with meaning. Because myths are used to shape society, he believes it’s important to understand how myths are created and how they function. Keep reading for Barthes’s ideas on mythmaking.

Gen Z Goes Minimal: How Gen Z Reframes Financial Prosperity

How do generations differ in how they think about success? Does financial prosperity mean the same thing to Gen Z as it does to Millennials? The way Gen Z views life differs significantly from Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. While some parents are holding their heads in worry that their kids are eschewing tradition, a closer look at Gen Z’s objectives and motives reveals that they really make a lot of sense. Keep reading to learn more about how Gen Z is reframing the wealth and success conversation, including lessons that any generation can apply. How Gen Z Reframes the

The 5 Benefits of Creative Thinking & Why It’s Important

Do you want to be more innovative? What are the benefits of creative thinking? Creative thinking isn’t limited to just musicians, writers, and other artists. Creativity is a valuable tool for anyone to have in everyday life. When you stimulate your creative genius, you discover innovative ideas and find alternative solutions to problems. Here are some of the benefits you’ll receive when you begin thinking creatively.

3 Ways to Reduce Cognitive Dissonance (+ Why It Happens)

What is cognitive dissonance? What are the most common ways to reduce cognitive dissonance? In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson explain that cognitive dissonance is a psychological state of having inconsistent thoughts and attitudes. This state is often uncomfortable for people, so they try to seek out ways to reduce cognitive dissonance. Let’s look at how people seek comforting thoughts through three psychological processes.

How Warren Buffett’s Investment Advice Goes Against the Grain

What is Warren Buffett’s approach to investing? What are the key pieces of Warren Buffett’s investment advice investors should take on board? Warren Buffett’s investment approach goes against the grain of many financial professionals’. Buffett himself points out where his views and those of other investors disagree. Three specific points of contention are Efficient Market Theory, diversified portfolios, and the supposed value of financial advisers. Keep reading to learn about the underpinnings of Warren Buffett’s approach to investing and how it differs from conventional practices.