Shortform Books

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.

How to Motivate Your Team to Do Their Best

Do you feel like your team is disconnected from the goals of your organization? How can you bridge that disconnect and get your team excited about your vision? Many companies suffer a disconnect between the grand vision of the organization and the motivations of its individual team members. As a result, employees lack the motivation to consistently meet and exceed expectations. To bridge this disconnect, create and celebrate meaningful milestones that matter to your team members on a personal level. Here is how to motivate your team to do their best.

How Opportunity Costs Affect Decision-Making

What is an opportunity cost? How do opportunity costs affect decision-making? An opportunity cost is when you need to consider all options to put a decision into context. This affects your ability to make a decision, because it means you need to make a trade-off in order to make a decision. People don’t like making trade-offs, because they lead to three psychological blocks: indecision, emotional stress, and excessive justification. Continue reading to learn about opportunity costs, decision-making, and how to work through indecision.

Effective Learning Habits: The 4 Strategies You Need

How are your learning habits? Is procrastination one of them? You can make the most of your study time when you take control of your habits. A Mind for Numbers includes four strategies for changing your learning habits—and three ways to overcome the habit of procrastination. Keep reading to discover how to establish effective learning habits.

How to Craft Defining Moments in Everyday Life

Can you think of a defining moment from your past? What made it so? More generally, what makes a defining moment? There’s a common misconception that defining moments in life are large milestone events—such as the birth of your child—or simply happen as a matter of pure serendipity—such as going to a café and bumping into the woman you’ll marry. However, according to Chip and Dan Heath, the authors of The Power of Moments, most defining moments happen in small, everyday events, and what makes them stand out is how you shape them by investing your time, effort, and strategic

How to Become a Good Student: 5 Keys to Learning

Would you like to be a better learner? What study principles can serve you in school and for the rest of your life? If you’d like to learn how to become a good student, you can benefit from Barbara Oakley’s insightful and perhaps surprising strategies to get the most out of your studies. Her five principles include managing your competitive nature and using equation poetry. Continue reading to learn about these principles.

The Psychology of Peak Experiences

What is a peak experience? Can you think of a particularly memorable experience from your past? What made it a “peak experience”? Peak experiences transcend everyday patterns and impart positive feelings like delight, motivation, and engagement. Some of these positive peaks naturally occur in everyday life but they don’t have to be spontaneous. According to Chip and Dan Heath, the authors of The Power of Moments, you can engineer these experiences through what they call “elevation.” Here, Chip and Dan Heath explain the psychology behind peak experiences.

Confidence & Joy: The 2 Keys to Enjoying Sex

If we’re wired for it, why is that so many of us struggle to enjoy sex? What do you think is the secret to pleasurable, problem-free sex life? Despite all of the encouraging new information we may learn about our sex, that doesn’t automatically equate to problem-free, enjoyable sex life. Sex researcher Emily Nagoski argues that when it comes to enjoying sex, we must not only understand our own sexuality but also love it for what it is. In other words, we must find confidence and joy in ourselves. Here is what Nagoski has to say about finding enjoyment in sex.