Shortform Books

The Power of Discipline: An Overview of Daniel Walter’s Book

Are you capable of delaying gratification? How well do you push through to reach your goals? Is it possible to train yourself to be self-disciplined? In The Power of Discipline, Daniel Walter explores what self-discipline is and why people struggle with it. He explains the biological tendencies that hinder the ability to self-discipline and how to strengthen self-discipline so you can achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Continue reading for an overview of this insightful and practical book.

What Is Discipline in Life—and Why Is It So Difficult?

What is discipline in life? Why does it matter? Why do we often find it a struggle? Almost everyone has experienced situations where, despite knowing what they should do, they’re compelled by an inner voice to do something easier or more enjoyable. Daniel Walter explains that, if you allow these temptations to dictate your actions, you’ll never reach your full potential. Continue reading to learn what discipline is and the reasons why we struggle with it.

Roland Barthes: Myth’s Creation, Function, & Dangers

What’s a myth? How is a myth made and used? Are myths dangerous? According to 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes, myth is all around us. In Mythologies, he discusses the process of mythmaking. He identifies the basic components of myth and explains what function they have in society. He also warns that myths can pose certain dangers. Continue reading to understand Barthes’s take on myth.

How to Set Goals in Life With Marie Forleo’s Philosophy

How do you set goals in life? How many goals should you try to accomplish at once? Marie Forleo’s book Everything Is Figureoutable assures readers that through determination, you can achieve anything you want in life. Forleo contends that the first step is to select a single goal to focus on. Discover how to set goals in life using Forleo’s philosophy.

What Is Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule & Why Is It Important?

What is Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule? How can you use the Rule to take control of your life? In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins explains how you can assert agency over your life by just counting down from five to one over the course of five seconds and acting when you reach one. This method is helpful for those who overthink and hesitate on tasks. Keep reading to learn more about Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule and how it can help you.

Self-Justification Examples: How We Excuse Our Wrongs

What are some examples of self-justification? Why do we want to protect ourselves from cognitive dissonance? Rather than admitting wrongdoing or accepting contradictory beliefs, most people find ways to justify their actions to themselves and others. According to Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson in their book Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), this process is called self-justification. Keep reading to look at self-justification examples to better understand the psychology behind it.

The Gap Between Mutual Funds’ ROI and Index Funds’ ROI

What’s the difference between mutual funds and index funds? Which gives a higher return on investment? According to John Bogle, the author of The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, mutual funds generate significantly lower ROI than index funds. Furthermore, the gap between mutual funds’ ROI and index funds’ ROI is set to increase in the future. Here’s why mutual funds’ ROI is going down, according to Bogle.

Warren Buffett’s Wall Street Criticisms

How to Invest Wisely in the Stock Market

Why does Warren Buffett criticize the Wall Street approach? What are some ways in which Wall Street investment firms mishandle investors’ money? According to Warren Buffett, Wall Street’s business-as-usual practices highlight many areas in which most investment companies don’t serve the interests of the people whose money they steward. Specifically, Buffett highlights the failings of CEO culture, shady accounting, overpriced acquisitions, and the systemic dangers of financial derivatives. Keep reading to learn about Warren Buffett’s criticisms of Wall Street’s practices.

How Do Habits Form and Become Second Nature?

What exactly are habits? What role do habits play in your life? How do habits form? Habits are thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that you engage in regularly. Your habits are the foundation of your personality because they represent your way of being and acting in the world. Therefore, changing your life requires changing your habits. Keep reading to learn how habits develop and how they become second nature.

Stream-Aligned Teams: The Primary Team Topology

How much authority should a stream-aligned team have? What makes these teams so efficient? When you think of “stream,” think of “flow.” That’s a key aspect of stream-aligned teams. It’s the primary of four team topologies discussed by software engineers and authors Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. Continue reading for an overview of what stream-aligned teams are designed to do.