Shortform Books

The 2 Self-Limiting Beliefs to Shake: A Toltec Viewpoint

What do the Toltec believe about reality and your perception of it? How does it relate to your suffering and happiness? In The Fifth Agreement, don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz (also known as the naguals) assert that we believe we perceive reality, but the “real world” we think we live in is only a mirage. The Toltec teach that our belief in the mirage contains two primary self-limiting beliefs: that we must always be improving ourselves and that we are individual, physical beings, rather than part of a greater system. These beliefs, they argue, cause us to suffer.

Donald Trump’s “Fake News” Strategy

Why did Trump condemn mainstream media? How did Trump’s “fake news” accusation become a propaganda tool? It’s not a secret that Donald Trump didn’t shy away from throwing around unfounded accusations. Trump’s infamous “fake news” was a good example of that. The former president effectively weaponized the term against mainstream media that gave unfavorable coverage to his administration. Here is what really lies behind Donald Trump’s favorite phrase.

Principled Living: The Key to Finding Meaning

You can heal with love. Discover how the love you feel in your heart can improve your physical health and help you overcome illness.

What does it mean to live a principled life? Do you uphold any personal principles of behavior? As the name suggests, principled living means abiding by certain principles or core values when making decisions and interacting with others. Many self-help gurus advocate that living a meaningful life entails defining and living by certain non-negotiable principles. Read on to better understand principled living, with ideas drawn from various popular sources.

How to Set and Achieve Goals: 12 Steps to Success

How do you set goals to work towards? What are some things you should consider when embarking on a goal? We all have things we are striving for, but not everybody has goals. Most people have dreams—abstract desires that aren’t specific or actionable enough to be goals. A goal is a target that you’re working towards with intention. In his book Goals!, Brian Tracy explains how to set and achieve goals in 12 steps. Keep reading to learn each step in detail and to discover some practical ways to apply his tips to different areas of your life.

The Fifth Agreement: Context, Impact, and Reception

What are the historical and intellectual contexts of The Fifth Agreement? What impact has the book had? What do the critics say? In The Fifth Agreement, don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz describe five “agreements” to make with yourself that adjust the way you see the world and your place in it. According to the authors, these agreements speak to the hearts of all people—everyone who’s learned a language, participated in a culture, and grown up around other people. They’re a series of intuitively common-sense principles we are all aware of—but which few of us actually practice. Those who

How Did Donald Trump Win Against All Odds?

How did Donald Trump win the election when all odds were against him? What were the key factors that helped him secure the Republican nomination in June 2015? When Trump launched his campaign for the Republican nomination in June 2015, he was a novelty candidate who stood little chance of actually winning. A total outsider to GOP politics, he had no close institutional ties to the party and seemed to lack even the most basic grounding in conservative ideology—not to mention his anti-immigration rhetoric that many leaders in the Republican Party considered to be extreme and outlandish. Here is how

Olivia Fox Cabane: What Makes Someone Charismatic?

What makes someone charismatic? Are some people just born that way or is it a trait that can be learned? Charismatic people are magnetic: their personalities make you want to spend time with them. According to Olivia Fox Cabane, the author of The Charisma Myth, charisma is a combination of three traits: mindfulness, authority, and goodwill. Here is a breakdown of each trait so you can better understand what charisma is.

What Makes You You? It’s Up to You

What makes you you? Do you think what you are is determined by internal factors (thoughts, feelings, moods) or external factors (your circumstances and social identity)? There are many different views about what makes someone who they are. Some argue that one’s self is a repertoire of their internal world (their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, etc.). Others say that you are the product of a combination of your genetics and conditioning. Continue reading to understand what makes you you.

The Importance of Networking: You Are Not Self-Made

Is networking absolutely necessary for success? How can networking with the right people help you achieve your goals? You might think that building connections with others is unnecessary because some successful people are described as “self-made.” According to Brian Tracy, however, a totally self-made person is a myth. Even entrepreneurs who started their empires from virtually nothing relied on family, friends, financial backers, and customers to build their businesses. Here’s why the importance of networking with the right people cannot be underestimated.

The Five Agreements: A Path to Personal Freedom

What are the five agreements? How do they change the way you see everything? Where do they lead? In The Fifth Agreement, authors don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz outline the five agreements that you can make with yourself. These agreements transform how you perceive the world and your place in it. The authors believe that, if you practice these principles, you’ll rediscover your true self and reclaim the wholehearted love, joy, and freedom that you enjoyed as a child. Keep reading for details about the five agreements.