Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

3 Important Life Lessons From The Alchemist

What are the main lessons in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? How can you apply the book’s lessons to your own life? The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy’s journey of spiritual awakening. The boy gives up everything to embark on a long journey across the desert toward the Egyptian pyramids, to look for a treasure he has dreamed of. He follows omens and the wisdom of spiritual guides he meets along the way. Here are the biggest lessons Santiago learns during his journey.

The Benefits of Working in Small Teams

Are small teams more or less effective than larger teams? What are the benefits of working in small teams? Management expert and creator of the Scrum method, Jeff Sutherland, says that working in small teams is more efficient than in large teams—he says that the ideal team size is five to nine people. Small teams promote communication, expand roles, and increase efficiency. Here’s a look at the benefits of small teams.

How to Set Business Goals: Make Them Realistic

Want to know how to set business goals that are attainable, rather than pipe dreams? Why is it important to create a strategic plan that’s grounded in reality? In their book Execution, business specialists Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan teach you how to put together a strategic business plan that establishes your business’s priorities and goals. They assert that business goals must be flexible, grounded, and accessible. It’s also important to intermittently follow up on the goals after you set them. Here’s how to set business goals that will help your company succeed.

What Are Sprints in Scrum & How Do They Work?

What are Sprints in Scrum? What are the four phases in a Sprint cycle? A Sprint is the core process within Scrum. Sprints are fixed lengths of time, usually one or two weeks, in which the team works on a particular task or tasks. The key values of the Scrum framework are developed and maintained inside Sprints. Sprints are where the work gets done, where value is created, and where people turn ideas into reality. Here are the four phases of a Sprint cycle.

The Causes of Chronic Stress: It Starts in Childhood

What are the main causes of chronic stress? How can childhood stress lead to diseases later in life? Does personality play a role in development of physical disease? In his book When the Body Says No, Dr. Gabor Maté says that there is a link between chronic stress and physical illness. According to Maté, chronic stress often stems from childhood, meaning that one’s parental nurturing, childhood development, and even personality may contribute to development of certain illnesses later in life. Learn about the ultimate cause of chronic stress, according to Dr. Gabor Maté.

The Major Characters in The Alchemist

Who are the main characters in The Alchemist? What is each character’s significance in the story? The Alchemist is a story of transformation. But rather than transforming lead into gold, Paulo Coelho teaches us, through the story of a shepherd boy who has the courage to follow his dreams, the power of transformation for our lives. Here’s a look at the characters from the story.

The “Oh Crap!” Method for Potty Training Your Child

What is the Oh Crap! method for potty training? How do you begin the potty training journey? In Oh Crap! Potty Training, parenting coach and social worker Jamie Glowacki explains that to effectively potty train your child, all you need is a clear and consistent process that you feel confident about. Her book explores the basics of creating this process and explains how you can personalize it to your child and their needs. Here’s an overview of Glowacki’s potty training method.

Talent Shortages: How to Safeguard Against Them

Are you worried that your business could suffer from talent shortages in the future? What precautions can you take to prepare for potential staffing shortages? Talent shortages are sometimes unavoidable—especially in today’s world. If you’re not prepared, then losing employees could leave your business vulnerable. Here’s a look at the risks that come with talent shortages and how to mitigate them.

The 3 Long-Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma

How can childhood trauma affect a person later in life? What mental health problems can arise? For children who suffer abuse, trauma’s impact on the developing brain tends to create long-term issues. In their book What Happened to You?, Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey mention three broad ways that childhood trauma can impact people in the long-term: 1) mental and physical health issues, 2) flashbacks and triggers, and 3) unrecognized behavioral patterns. Keep reading to learn more about the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.

Scrum Exercises to Help You Implement the Book’s Ideas

Looking to understand Jeff Sutherland’s book Scrum better? How can these Scrum exercises help your team become more efficient? According to software developer and management expert Jeff Sutherland, too much time is spent planning, too much energy is wasted on unimportant tasks, and not enough emphasis is placed on flexibility. That’s why Sutherland created the Scrum Method as a more efficient way to develop products. Here are five Scrum exercises to further your understanding of the Scrum method.