Shortform Books

Digital Minimalism Book Overview: Disconnecting

What is Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism book about? What are some ways you can cut back on your use of digital communication technology without compromising your relationships? In his book Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport applies the lifestyle concept of minimalism to the use of technology. Drawing on a wide range of real-life examples, Newport discusses the common practices of digital minimalists and distills the central principles that underpin them. Here is a brief overview of Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.

Carl Karcher: The McDonald’s Entrepreneur

Who is Carl Karcher? What was his role in the early days of McDonald’s? Carl Karcher was an entrepreneur who saw the potential in the McDonald brothers’ Speedee service system. Combined with the new U.S. interstate system, Karcher saw a formula for success and grew McDonald’s locations from 250 to 3,000 in the 1960’s and 70’s. Read more about Carl Karcher and his role in expanding McDonald’s.

John Brennan: Obama Homeland Security Advisor

Who was the Obama Homeland Security Advisor? What was his role in the Obama administration? John Brennan served as Obama’s Homeland Security Advisor. His main role was to serve as a guide for all things intelligence and counterterrorism. Read more about John Brennan and his role in counterterrorism.

The Law of Priorities: Focus on What’s Important

What is the Law of Priorities? What do priorities mean in the context of leadership? The Law of Priorities is one of John C. Maxwell’s laws of leadership. As the name suggests, the Law of Priorities is all about having what it takes to put priorities first on the to-do agenda. Keep reading to learn about John C. Maxwell’s Law of Priorities.

The State of Mindfulness Goes Beyond Thought

What does it feel like to be in the state of mindfulness? And how is mindfulness different from concentration? The state of mindfulness is by nature challenging to describe with words. Contrary to what some people think, mindfulness and concentration are very different states of mind. Concentration is achieved through willpower. Mindfulness, on the other hand, cannot be cultivated through struggle. Keep reading the learn about the characteristics of the state of mindfulness and how it differs from concentration.

Independence at Work Promotes Competency

How can you encourage your employees to work independently and with accountability? What are the top three behaviors that diminish independence? Allowing your employees to have independence at work has so many benefits. Your employees will learn accountability, self-reliance, responsibility, and gain confidence. You will be able to take time off and trust that your company is doing well. Continue on to learn why giving your employees independence is so crucial.

Group Behavior: How to Motivate a Group

Are you trying to motivate a group of people to partake in an activity? Do you struggle to get all the group members on board? If you’re trying to encourage group behavior, it’s important to realize that each individual in the group has their own levels of motivation. Some members of the group will join an activity right away while others will lack interest. Continue on to learn how to manage group behavior.

Barack Obama Visits Iraq & Sees a Need for Change

Did Barack Obama visit Iraq? What was the purpose of the visit? Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq. When he and others in Congress visited the country, he became even more convinced of his views. Read more about Barack Obama’s visit to Iraq and how it motivated him.

The Law of Navigation: The Leader Charts the Course

What is the Law of Navigation? What do you think distinguishes a leader from a regular person? The Law of Navigation is John C. Maxwell’s fourth law of leadership. At its core, the Law of Navigation is all about having a vision for your business and navigating towards it, correcting the course along the way. Keep reading for Maxwell’s guidelines on how to implement the Law of Navigation.

The Dodd Frank Law: More Consumer Protections

What is the Dodd Frank law? What did President Obama have to do with the passage of the law? The Dodd Frank law is an act that promised consumer protections. It was one of the largest economic protection bills to become law during Obama’s term. Read more about the Dodd Frank law and what it did for the economy and politics.