How to Gain Political Power: 2 Herculean Steps to the Top

a man from behind in a business suit climbing an ornate staircase illustrates how to gain political power

How do political leaders rise to power? What strategies do they use to gain control of a party or a country? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith explore how to gain political power. They outline a two-step process that both dictators and democratic leaders follow to seize control. We break down their insights on building support and replacing existing governments. Read on to uncover the secrets of political power.

Where Does Creative Intuition Come From? (Wired to Create)

A creative man sitting at a desk with a typewriter on it while sitting in a log cabin

What is creative intuition? What’s the source behind intuition? In the book Wired to Create, Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire say that intuition is an important characteristic of creatives. They believe that intuition is a product of the automatic processing system of your mind. Continue reading to learn where creative intuition comes from and how artists use it.

Mindful Decision-Making: 4 Tips for Leading Your Actions

A man surrounded by question marks as he practices mindful decision-making

What are the benefits of mindful decision-making? What are some tips for making good choices in life? Clay Scroggins says that being dutiful and mindful in the small, daily decisions you make is called leading your actions. This consistency shows that you’re ready for the responsibility of leading others in the same way. Check out how to change your life by making decisions that show you’d be a great leader.

The Starbucks Business Model After 3 Turnaround Strategies

A Starbucks sign that represents Starbucks's business model

What’s the Starbucks business model? What business principles did Howard Schultz bring to Starbucks? As CEO, Schultz made a multitude of decisions that helped Starbucks survive the financial crisis. In total, he made three turnaround strategies: overhauling Starbucks’ management, improving its financial standing, and enhancing the coffeehouse experience. Let’s discuss these decisions and how they left Starbucks in good standing by the end of 2009.

How to Protect Democracy: 3 Strategies to Stave Off Threats

a security guard in front of a large granite building labeled "Democracy" illustrates how to protect democracy

Are you concerned about the state of democracy in your country? Do you wonder how to protect democracy in an increasingly polarized world? Shortform’s Master Guide to Threats to Democracy explores practical solutions to safeguard democratic institutions. We’ll examine several approaches that aim to strengthen democracy and foster a more inclusive political landscape. Read on to discover how you can play a role in protecting and revitalizing democracy in your community and beyond.

Faulty Perception: Why You Should Question Your Senses

a man standing on the shore of a loch in Scotland looking at what appears to be a sea creature illustrates faulty perception

Why do your senses sometimes deceive you? How can your own brain lead you astray? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the concept of faulty perception. She explains how our brains process sensory information and make decisions. She reveals surprising insights about our cognitive processes that are important for us to understand. Keep reading to better understand some of the hidden workings of your mind.

How to Overcome Instant Gratification and Stop Procrastinating

A woman holding a present with a pile of papers behind her, failing to show how to overcome instant gratification

Why do future rewards feel less important than current ones? How does instant gratification cause procrastination? One of the reasons why we procrastinate is that we want to have experiences that our brains perceive as rewarding—experiences that feel good rather than bad. According to Timothy A. Pychyl, this tendency explains why we prefer being rewarded now, rather than later. Find out how to overcome instant gratification, which will then help solve procrastination.

How to Enter REM Sleep for Successful Lucid Dreaming

A person lying in bed with an alarm clock next to them, trying to enter REM sleep

Do you want to know how to enter REM sleep purposefully? How can scheduling your REM sleep help you lucid dream? In their book Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming, Stephen LaBerge and Howard Rheingold explain how you can learn to optimize your sleep cycles for lucid dreaming. This involves waking up in a specific way every morning. Here’s how to optimize your REM cycle.

Creative Solitude: Why the Lonely Artist Trope Holds Strong

A woman in solitude sitting on a blanket in a forest creative writing in a journal

Is solitude necessary for creativity? What are the possible effects of long-term solitude? According to Wired to Create, there’s some merit to the “lonely artist” trope. This is because the networks of our brain that are active during solitude are different than when we’re in the outside world. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of creative solitude.

Perception in Leadership: 2 Ways to Shape Your Thinking

A female business leader looking through a magnifying glass to embrace perception in leadership

Why is perception in leadership important? How can you look at the bigger picture in a corporation? Leading your perception means taking an active role in shaping how you think about things. This is an important axis of leadership because your perception of a situation influences how you react to it. Below, we’ll discuss the two main ways you can lead your perception: taking a big-picture view and practicing critical thinking.