Shortform Books

Depression and Decision-Making: Finding the Link

Is there a link between depression and decision-making? Are people happier when they have less control over their lives? According to Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, the more decisions you have to make and the more options you have to weigh, the more anxious and depressed you become. That’s not to say that he thinks your life should be controlled—but he does believe that people are happier when they have a more limited selection of options. Continue reading to learn why Schwartz thinks expanded choice is contributing to the rise in depression rates.

What Is Interleaving? The Antidote to Overlearning

What is interleaving? How can it help you avoid the potential pitfalls of overlearning? Repetition is an important part of learning. However, it’s possible that too much recall and practice of new information and skills can be counterproductive. The solution is interleaving, which is the use of contrasting techniques in order to master one technique. Read more to learn how interleaving is the antidote to overlearning.

The Power of Moments: Book Overview & Takeaways

Is Chip and Dan Heath’s The Power of Moments worth reading? What is the key message to take away from the book? In their book The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath break down the elements of defining moments and teach you how to use them to make everyday experiences meaningful and memorable. They propose a four-element framework of a defining moment: 1) elevation, 2) insight, 3) pride, and 4) connection, and offer some strategies for using each element for making everyday moments special and meaningful. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways.

Why You Should Try a Codependency 12 Step Program

What’s so great about the codependency 12 step program? What are the four principles behind the program? In Codependent No More, Melody Beattie explores codependency and how it affects people’s lives. A self-help classic and the book that inspired codependency 12 Step Programs around the country, Codependent No More provides explanations, advice, and compassion for people struggling with codependency. Here’s how 12 Step Programs work—and the principles behind the 12 steps to overcoming codependency.

What Is Ethical Marketing? Fibs vs. Frauds

What is ethical marketing? Is there a meaningful difference between fibs and frauds? In All Marketers Are Liars, Seth Godin argues that good marketing is good storytelling. He explains that it’s ethical to stretch the subjective truth when you tell a story, but that you cross a line when you stretch the objective truth with claims that can be proven false. Read more to learn the finer points of ethical marketing.

How Modern Culture Condemns Women’s Sexuality

How does modern culture condemn female sexuality? How do cultural messages around sex affect women’s sexual well-being? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, whether we’re aware of it or not, culture dictates our beliefs and ideals, including how we feel about sex. Nagoski tells us that women, in particular, grow up hearing a lot of negative messages about sex, which creates deep-seated feelings of shame and fear that can be detrimental to their sexual experience and well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the specific messages regarding women’s sexuality that our culture perpetuates and how they negatively impact women.

The Big Short: Quotes by Michael Lewis

Are you looking for The Big Short quotes by Michael Lewis? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? At its heart, The Big Short is a tale about the perils of greed and short-sightedness. It exposes the true nature of modern capitalism and forces the reader to seriously question the wisdom of the financial elites who wield so much economic and political power in our society. Here is a selection of The Big Short quotes with explanations to help you put them into context.

How to Handle a Difficult Situation With Grace

Do you struggle against letting challenges and hardships take control of your life? How can you change your thinking and actions to handle difficulty with more grace? Robin Sharma, the famous author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and Who Will Cry When You Die?, says that if you don’t know how to handle difficult situations, they could end up controlling your life. That’s why he shared some strategies you can follow when you’re going through a tough time. Continue reading for an overview of Sharma’s tips on dealing with difficulty.

Simple Rules for Making Complex Decisions

How do you make an informed decision when there are just too many variables to consider? What about variables that are yet unknown? Whenever you make a decision, you’re using all the existing data of your life so far to predict what choice will result in the best outcome. But as statistics tell us, taking too many variables into account results in faulty predictions. That’s why, sometimes, the best way to make a complex decision is to make a less informed decision. Here is why you should make less informed decisions.

Robert Kiyosaki on Investing & Wealth Building

5 Wealth Building Habits to Secure Financial Freedom

Do you want to make a living off investing? Where do you even start? Investing is Robert Kiyosaki’s promised land—where financial freedom really lies. Investors commit money (called capital) to something and expect to make a profit. Beyond the initial investment, they don’t have to work day to day. Instead, their livelihood comes in the form of assets that generate passive income. Here is how to begin investing for passive income, and ultimately, wealth, according to Kiyosaki.