Shortform Books

Rent Increases Due to Inflation: What Can Renters Do?

Why is rent inflation a problem? What’s causing the increase? If your rent increases due to inflation, what are your options? Since the start of the pandemic, rent inflation—a general increase in rent prices due to inflation—has plagued renters in the U.S. and around the world. Many renters (especially low-income ones) are cash-strapped, saving less, and at risk of getting evicted. Keep reading to learn more about inflation-related rent increases, including what to do if you’re a renter.

The 2 Steps to Understanding Shame & Letting It Go

Where does shame come from? How can you understand what shame is? Understanding shame is the first step in acknowledging it and overcoming it. According to Brené Brown in I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t), taking control of shame means identifying what causes it in the first place. Put shame in the past by acknowledging it with these steps.

How to Improve Team Communication Like an Expert

Want to know how to improve team communication? How do the greatest leaders communicate with their teams? According to leadership expert and author Jocko Willink, the key to being a good leader is putting others before yourself. In Leadership Strategies and Tactics, he explains how to improve team communication by building quality relationships, trust, and taking radical responsibility for problems. Keep reading to learn how to improve team communication, according to Willink’s advice.

How to Write a First Draft: Just Get Your Ideas on the Page

How should the writing process start? How many drafts should you write? What should your first draft accomplish? In Everybody Writes, Ann Handley discusses what elements to include in your writing and how to write for different formats. Then she gets down to the nitty-gritty of the practical writing process. She recommends writing four drafts. Keep reading for Handley’s advice on how to write a first draft.

The Importance of Self-Discipline: Unleashing Your Potential

How is self-discipline different from willpower and motivation? What role does self-discipline play in a fulfilling life? It would be difficult to overstate the importance of self-discipline in life. By examining the works of David Brooks, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jocko Willink, and others, we’ll see how self-discipline puts you in control of your own life, leads to better health, helps you reach your goals, and builds character. Continue reading to understand what self-discipline is and learn about the importance of self-discipline.

Money and Luck: Do Only Lucky People Get Rich?

Do only lucky people get rich? What role does luck play in financial success? Luck undoubtedly plays a role in acquiring wealth, but it’s only one factor. The idea that only lucky people get rich is not only untrue, but it’s also unproductive because it diminishes your sense of control over the state of your finances. Here’s what entrepreneur and investor MJ DeMarco has to say about money and luck.

What Is Synthetic Meat & Is It Healthier for You?

What is synthetic meat? How is it produced? Is synthetic meat good for you? In recent years, investors have been pouring money into the synthetic, or “no-kill,” meat industry. However, technical and economic factors may limit its growth. Read on to learn what exactly synthetic meat is and everything else to know about the no-kill industry.

Mythological Archetypes: Dragon, Mother, Father, and Son

What are the primary mythological archetypes? What do they have in common? What do they represent? The characters in our most primal myths represent the three broadest elements of human existence—the known world, the unknown, and the process of discovery. Jordan Peterson explores these characters in his book Maps of Meaning. Keep reading for an introduction to these archetypes and how they each represent a different facet of the world.

How to Overcome Shame by Identifying Its Societal Roots

How can you overcome shame? How does society encourage shaming? In I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t), Brené Brown says that certain societal standards unfairly shame people for things beyond their control. To combat this, Brown recommends developing critical awareness of shame. Learn how to overcome shame with critical awareness below.