Katie Doll, Author at Shortform Books

The Importance of Purpose in Life (+ How to Find Yours)

What’s the importance of purpose in life? How does a purpose maximize human performance? In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness argue that purpose is crucial for exceeding our limits. They contend that having a purpose that goes beyond our interests is essential to maximizing performance because such purposes help us overcome our perceived psychological limitations. Let’s look at why everyone should have a purpose they strive to achieve.

Rachel Carson: Pesticides Do More Harm Than Good

Why did biologist Rachel Carson criticize pesticides? How effective are pesticides for pest control? According to Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, pesticides aren’t necessary to protect food in countries like the United States. She also argues that they threaten the nature of the ecosystem and ultimately strengthen pests. Continue reading to learn more about Carson’s findings on pesticide usage.

How to Age Slower: 6 Methods to Regain Your Youth

A young woman wondering how to age slower as an older version of herself looks at her through a mirror.

Are there ways to slow down the aging process? How do hormones speed up biological aging? While there’s no way to stop or reverse aging, you can certainly slow down the process to live a longer life. Since aging refers to the decline of a person’s health, there are several remedies you can use to stay youthful for as long as possible. Learn how to age slower by rebalancing your hormones, nourishing your body, and more.

Can Stress Be Good for You? 3 Ways to Take Advantage of Stress

How can stress be good for you? What are ways to take advantage of stress, rather than let it defeat you? Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness say that a combination of stress and rest is essential for growth, and discuss the optimal way to structure these cycles. We’ll focus on three of their recommendations for incorporating stress. Check out Stulberg and Magness’s recommendations below.

Peter Hollins’s 4 Emotional Discipline Tools to Avoid Impulses

A silhouette of a man displaying emotional discipline as he stretches out his arms against a scenic river.

What’s emotional discipline? What tools can help you build self-control? In The Science of Self-Discipline, Peter Hollins explains that taking a measured approach to developing discipline will make it sustainable. To develop a disciplined mindset, he offers a few strategies. Continue reading for his four emotional discipline tools.

What Is Victim Blaming: The 3 Stages of Shutting Down Victims

What is victim blaming? What are the three stages of silencing victims? Victim blaming is the act of holding a victim accountable for a crime or traumatic event done to them. Silencing the victim is one of the top methods of victim blaming, which means the perpetrator isn’t punished for their actions. Here are the three stages of blaming and silencing victims.

Prisoner’s Dilemma in Economics: Would You Betray or Cooperate?

Prisoners holding dollar bills behind bars as symbolism of prisoner's dilemma in economics

What’s the prisoner’s dilemma in economics? How does the prisoner’s dilemma represent cooperation? The prisoner’s dilemma is an experiment that reveals if people would betray or cooperate with their partners, depending on the reward and punishment. This theory can be applied in an economic setting as well. Check out how the prisoner’s dilemma works when it comes to finances.

The Top 2 Personal Development Factors: Stress and Rest

What factors contribute to personal development and growth? How do you recover your body after periods of strain? According to Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, achieving maximal performance requires understanding how to grow in the first place. Consequently, they begin by outlining their formula for the type of growth that allows you to harness your potential. Continue reading to learn more about the top two personal development factors.

How to Resist Temptations: Surround Yourself With Discipline

A person resisting temptations by stepping on two burning cigarettes on the ground.

Do you know how to resist temptations? What type of people bring out the best in you? Although it’s important to have a strong foundation for discipline in your mind and behaviors, your environment plays a large role in your success. If you’re constantly surrounded by unhealthy temptations, your discipline will be more likely to waver. Let’s discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with discipline in your environment and relationships.

Female Sexual Assault Statistics in America: A Breakdown

Why are female sexual assault statistics high in America? Where is sexual assault and rape most likely to happen? As of 2014, Rebecca Solnit estimated that tens of millions of women are raped in America every year. Further, she notes that sexual assault and harassment tend to happen in workplace or educational settings where victims are sometimes held accountable for preventing these instances of violence. Learn more about why the statistics for female sexual assault are so high in America.