Shortform Books

Design the Next 5 Years Using the Odyssey Plans

What are the Odyssey Plans you wish to design? Where do you want your life to go over the next five years? An Odyssey Plan details a particular life you want to live—both personally and professionally. You can design your life by making three alternate plans that paint a picture of the next five years. It’s critical to get out of the mindset that there’s only one path to choose from. Keep reading to learn how to create the Odyssey Plans for your life.

The Limitless Model of Learning (Limitless by Jim Kwik)

What is the book Limitless by Jim Kwik about? How might you apply the limitless model of learning to your own life? Limitless by Jim Kwik is a self-help book that discusses meta-learning—that is, learning how to learn. In this book, Kwik teaches you how to quickly and effectively learn about any topic and then how to use that new knowledge to its maximum potential. Keep reading to learn what Limitless by Jim Kwik is all about.

Buying Decisions—Are They Emotional or Rational?

What makes people buy? Are most consumer decisions rational (as most of us would like to believe) or emotional (driven by impulses)? When a customer is faced with the option of buying a product or service, she can do one of three things: she can buy it, she can buy a competitor’s product, or she can buy nothing. In any case, this decision will be driven by her emotions: buying decisions are emotional, not rational. In this article, we’ll take a look at the drives and emotions behind the consumer decision-making process.

How to Navigate Major Financial Milestones

What major financial milestones have you gone through in your life so far? Did you get a promotion? Take out a mortgage? Pay off your student loan? Maybe, started investing? There are a few financial milestones that most people in their twenties and thirties need to consider—like paying for a wedding, negotiating a salary at a new job, and buying a house. Knowing how to navigate them is crucial for financial stability. In this article, you’ll learn the best way to approach those milestones, starting with paying down your student loan.

Yeltsin’s Russia: A Totalitarian Democracy?

When did Boris Yeltsin come to rule in Russia? What changes did he implement upon taking office? Yeltsin ousted Gorbachev and dissolved the Soviet Union in 1991. Most Russians had never known life without the Soviet Union, and its sudden dissolution came as a huge shock. Here is what happened to Russia during Yeltsin’s rule.

The 5 Secrets of Outstanding Sales Success

How do you achieve sales success? How does lack of commitment hinder selling success? You achieve sales success by taking full responsibility for the success of every sale, putting in 10 times the required effort, and acknowledging that sales success has nothing to do with luck. A lack of commitment creates a mentality that sees success in sales as optional, and this hinders selling success. Read on to discover the secrets of sales success.

Do You Have an Optimistic Explanatory Style?

What is an optimistic explanatory style? How can having one benefit you personally and professionally? Your explanatory style determines how you explain the events of your life to yourself and others. An optimistic explanatory style allows you to overcome adversity, be more productive at work, and have greater self-confidence. Learn more about the optimistic explanatory style below.

The Six Thinking Hats and How to Wear Them

What are the six thinking hats? What mode of thinking does each color represent? Six Thinking Hats is Edward de Bono’s book about how to think more efficiently. In his book, he suggests trying out different methods of thinking—trying on different colored hats—in order to come up with better thought-out solutions to problems. Keep reading to learn about de Bono’s six hat theory.

The 12 Business Myths From the Book Built to Last

What are the 12 business myths presented in the Built to Last book? What’s the truth about visionary companies? Bestselling author Jim Collins and Stanford professor Jerry I. Porras conducted a six-year research project to find the keys to visionary companies’ longevity and tremendous success. Their book Built to Last identifies 12 business myths and shares practical advice for those who want to build a company that lasts. Read more to learn the 12 business myths presented in the Built to Last book.

Achieving Vision Alignment: The 6 Actions You Can Take

What is vision alignment? How can you achieve it for your organization? Visionary companies create and maintain vision alignment. They infuse their core ideology into everything they do, which brings everything into alignment with their vision. It’s not easy, but there are six things you can do to achieve organizational alignment. Read more to learn about the value and process of vision alignment.