Shortform Books

Overwhelmed by Choices? Here’s How to Decide

Are you ever overwhelmed by choices and don’t know what decision to make? What tips can help you come to a decision that you’ll be satisfied with? You’ve probably experienced this before: you’re starving, but you keep scrolling through delivery apps and can’t decide what to eat. Finally, you get so frustrated that you just give up and heat up some leftovers, or you just pick something at random. We’ve all been there—it’s called decision paralysis. Here are 11 tips for how to make a decision when you’re overwhelmed by choices.

Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski: Book Overview

What is Emily Nagoski’s book Come as You Are about? What misconceptions about sex does modern culture perpetuate? In her book Come as You Are, Emily Nagoski uses scientific research and her years of experience as a sex educator to change the negative way that women talk, think, and feel about their sexuality. Arguing that a scientific perspective on sexuality can free women from unrealistic standards and help them to appreciate their individual experiences, Nagoski considers sexuality from every biological angle while dispelling cultural misconceptions along the way. Below is a brief overview of the key themes explored in the

The Link Between Sex and Emotional Attachment Style

What is the connection between sex and emotional attachment? How does attachment style influence sexuality? Depending on how our caregivers raised us as children, we develop different styles of attachment. According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, your attachment style not only dictates your behavior in romantic relationships but also affects your sexual experience. Here is how people with different attachment styles approach sexuality.

The 3 Biggest Consequences of Low Self-Esteem

What are some of the consequences of low self-esteem? How can having low self-esteem make codependency traits worse? In her classic book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie goes over the three repercussions of having low self-esteem: attachment issues, bad communication, and caretaking. Thankfully, there are ways to recognize and repair these issues, if you’re willing to put in the work. Continue below to learn why low self-esteem is so dangerous.

The Paradox of Choice: The 3 Types of Choices

What are the three different types of choices? How can having more options make decisions even more difficult? In his book The Paradox of Choice, Professor Barry Schwartz discusses the three categories of choice: consumer choices, complex choices, and personal choices. Schwartz focuses on the fact that today we have more options than ever, and although that may appear to be a good thing at first, it actually causes more problems than it solves. Continue below to learn about each type of choice.

How to Improve Your Memory for Studying

How well do you remember what you learn? What are some techniques that can help? Barbara Oakley, in her book A Mind for Numbers, discusses how to improve your memory for studying. She shares ways to make information more memorable and techniques for effective recall. These strategies, combined with insights from Moonwalking with Einstein author Joshua Foer, can help you remember what you learn. Keep reading for ideas on how to improve your memory for studying.

5 Tips for How to Be More Mindful in Your Daily Life

Want to know how to be more mindful in your everyday life? How can being more mindful help you to regain control of your life? Mindfulness is important because when you are mindful and present in your daily life, you gain more control and consequently, feel happier and more fulfilled. However, remaining mindful in a world full of distractions can prove to be difficult. Thankfully, the list below provides tips on how to remain mindful from Robin Sharma’s book Who Will Cry When You Die?. Continue reading below for tips on mindfulness.

How to Surprise Someone in a Meaningful Way

Why do people like surprises? What is the key to creating a good surprise? Surprises add a little spice to a usual, mundane routine and they don’t have to be limited to special occasions. According to Chip and Dan Heath, the authors of The Power of Moments, there are two steps to creating a surprise: 1) identify scripts and routines, 2) think about how you can go off the usual routine in a meaningful way. Here is how to surprise someone in a meaningful way.

The Benefits of Transparency in the Workplace

Why is transparency important in the workplace? How does workplace transparency help improve decision-making? Transparency lets everyone see everything. According to Ray Dalio, everyone in an organization should get access to the full information, rather than having it filtered through other people first. In turn, people with more complete information can make better decisions, and the organization draws on the full power of its people. Here is why transparency in the workplace is a good thing and when it might not be ideal.

How People Learn: Insights Into Thinking and Memory

How do you learn? What are the actual brain mechanics of absorbing and recalling information? Understanding how people learn is helpful if you want to maximize your learning. You can alternate between your two modes of thinking in order to learn and solve problems more effectively. You also can store and recall more information when you have a handle on how memory works. Read on to better understand how people learn.