Shortform Books

Follow the Example of Jesus Because It’s Uniquely Perfect

Is Jesus divine? How does the dual nature (humanity and divinity) of Jesus work? What difference does this dual nature make for people? C. S. Lewis argues that the Christian faith requires, not simply surrendering to God’s moral laws, but following a perfect example. Lewis writes that only Jesus is capable of setting this perfect example of surrender because he is both human and divine. Keep reading for an exploration of Lewis’s intriguing argument for why we should follow the example of Jesus.

How Does the Federal Reserve Affect the Economy?

How does the Federal Reserve affect the economy? Does it help or harm? Helping to stabilize the economy is allegedly a key part of the Fed’s mission, but Edward Griffin argues that, in fact, it tends to destabilize the economy. It does this in two ways: amplifying normal business cycles and protecting banks from bad investments. Continue reading to learn about the Fed’s negative impacts on the economy.

Do Things That Scare You: 2 Reasons Why You Should

How do you know the right thing to do? What good can come from fear? According to Ryan Holiday, you should do things that scare you. If an option puts a bit of panic in you, it’s probably the right thing to do. Also, you’ll grow when you do the right thing in spite of your fear. Continue reading to learn more about why you should do things that scare you. We also include some guidelines on how to courageously do the right thing at work.

Understanding Liberalism: Philosophy 101

What is liberalism in philosophy? What is the basic tenet of liberalism? The school of the political philosophy of liberalism developed during the Enlightenment (a period of rapid scientific and ideological change in 17th- and 18th-century Europe). Yet, it still strongly influences many modern political institutions with its emphasis on reason. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of liberalism and the different views within the school.

How to Overcome Mental Blocks & Reignite Your Creativity

When you get stuck on a task, what do you do? How can understanding brain science help you get going again? Regardless of the work you do, it involves some degree of creativity. That requires mental energy, and sometimes the energy just isn’t there. Business consultant David Rock explains the basics of what a mental block looks like and proposes three steps to reactivate your creativity. Continue reading to learn how to overcome mental blocks by understanding how your brain works.

The 3 Strategies for Implementing Change in an Organization

What are some ways to implement change in an organization? How should you prepare your team for change? In Managing Transitions, Susan and William Bridges discuss strategies to manage the different stages of transition in businesses. Many organizations will arrive at a stage that requires implementing final changes. Read below to learn how to implement change in organizations.

What Is Deep Practice and Why Is It Important?

What is deep practice? Why is deep practice important? If you want to build talent, you’ll need to build myelin in the brain. However, to build myelin, you need to engage in deep practice. Keep reading to learn the importance of deep practice for myelin production, according to Daniel Coyle’s book The Talent Code.

The 4 Stages of the Customer Buying Journey

What are the different stages of the customer buying journey? How can you create more loyal customers? As customers repeatedly have positive experiences with your brand, they tend to move through different levels of connection to your brand. In Superfans, Patt Flynn explains there are four levels of fandom that customers can go through in their journey. Let’s touch on the stages of the customer buying journey that you often see in businesses.

Peter Senge: What Is a “Learning Organization”?

What does Peter Senge mean by a “learning organization”? How does a learning organization compare to a more traditional organization? According to Peter Senge, a learning organization is flexible. Compared to a traditional organization with a rigid, top-down power structure and strict rules, learning organizations are able to change and evolve with the times as their members do. Here’s why a learning organization is better for everyone, and how you can create such an organization within your business.

Richard Cooper: Understanding the “Red Pill Rage”

What does Richard Cooper mean by “red pill rage”? What truth does the red pill represent? In his book The Unplugged Alpha, Richard Cooper describes a phenomenon he calls “red pill rage.” By this, he means the anger some men experience when they swallow the red pill—the hard, cold truth about society and dating. Here’s why swallowing the proverbial red pill results in rage, according to Cooper.