Shortform Books

The 4 Basic Principles of Marketing in the Modern Age (Seth Godin)

Who makes up your smallest viable market? What do they truly want and need? Should you adjust your product story over time? In This Is Marketing, Seth Godin says that old marketing techniques no longer work. He outlines his guiding principles of marketing in the modern age: create something of value, focus on your smallest viable market, match your story to the story your audience tells themselves, and leverage word of mouth. Continue reading to learn about each of these four basic principles of marketing.

How to Focus on Relationships & Give People Your Attention

How well do you give other people your time and attention? What are some practical ways to focus on relationships that you want to maintain? In today’s world, it’s easy to become distracted from what’s really important because of phones and other technology. With the help of The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, you can give the people you love the attention they deserve. Check out how to focus on relationships that can benefit from some work on your part.

The Top 3 Necessary Endings Quotes About Moving Forward

What are the most insightful quotes from Necessary Endings? What role do endings play in your life? Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud is about learning to break free from the relationships and situations that are holding you back. Cloud asserts that many people suffer needlessly in both business and in their personal lives because of their inability to exit these types of situations. Keep reading for the best Necessary Endings quotes that summarize the main ideas of the book.

How Procrastination Is Linked to Low Self-Esteem

How does self-esteem affect how much you procrastinate? Why does a fear of failure cause procrastination? One of Piers Steel’s strategies for avoiding procrastination is building your confidence. The less confidence you have in your ability to succeed, the less motivated you’ll be, and the more likely you are to procrastinate. Let’s look at the connection between procrastination and self-esteem so you can avoid the bad habit.

The 5 Factors Affecting the Market’s Competitiveness

What are the factors affecting the market? How does understanding these factors give you a competitive advantage? Five factors influence a market’s competitiveness and profit potential, according to Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter. Although the book was released in 1980, it’s still relevant today. Here are the factors that you need to pay attention to when you enter the market.

Is Game Development Hard? Challenges of Making a Game

A man at a computer wearing headphones and developing a video game.

Is game development hard to work in? What are the unique challenges of being a video game developer? Video games have evolved tremendously throughout the years, and it’s all thanks to the hard work of everyone on development teams. It’s not an easy job making video games, and Jason Schreier’s book Blood, Sweat, and Pixels explains why. Here are the complications developers often come across when working on the interactivity of games.

Philosopher Alan Watts: A Cult Figure or a Great Bodhisattva?

What’s the legacy of Alan Watts? How do people view his life and contribution? Critics, monks, and philosopher Alan Watts himself have used colorful words to describe him and his work. His books have taught many people in the West about Eastern philosophies and practices, but some contend that they lacked depth and that he didn’t always practice what he preached. Read more to learn how Alan Watts has been regarded over the last few decades.

How Do Habits Form? The 6-Phase Process, Explained

How do habits form? What is the biological program of a habit? A habit is something you do without thinking because the behavior is programmed into your brain as an automatic response. There are several components to this biological “program”: the cue, the routine, the reward, the craving, repetition, and the belief. Keep reading to learn about the habit-creation process.

Approachable Body Language Makes a Good First Impression

Why should you pay attention to your body language if you want to make a great first impression? Do you give closed body language cues without even knowing it? Your body language determines people’s first impressions of you. So, it’s important to understand the various body language cues and learn to leverage them if you want people to find you open and welcoming. Keep reading to learn how to exhibit approachable body language around others.

How to Keep a Conversation Flowing & End on a High Note

Would you like to feel more confident and skilled in social situations? What do you still have to learn about the art of conversation? Being skilled in initiating a conversation is important, but it’s also valuable to know how to keep a conversation flowing and then end it well. We’ve put together some tips from several communication experts that directly address these two skills. Keep reading to learn several techniques that will help make you an excellent conversationalist.