Shortform Books

How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Studying

Do you tend to put off studying until the last minute? Do you cram rather than measure your time? In A Mind for Numbers, author Barbara Oakley addresses the problem of procrastination, particularly in the context of learning math and science. She explains why procrastination (including cramming) is a problem, outlines the four components of habitual procrastination, and shares seven strategies for overcoming procrastination. Keep reading to learn how to stop procrastinating and start studying.

All Marketers Are Liars: The Book’s Context and Impact

What is the book All Marketers Are Liars about? How has the book been received? Published in 2005, All Marketers Are Liars offers a fresh take on marketing—one that focuses on connecting with your customer, rather than on catchy advertising jingles or gimmicks. Seth Godin wants you to tell your customers or audience a great story about your product, your political campaign, your job experience, or even just yourself. This book explores new marketing concepts that you can use to tell a better story in any area of your life. Read more to learn about the book All Marketers Are

Giving Recognition: An Underrated Practice

Why is giving recognition for excellent work important? What’s the best way to show someone their effort has been noticed and appreciated? There’s a common misconception that people who work hard are likely to feel proud of their work. But it’s not so simple: Pride doesn’t come from hard work alone—it comes from the results of your hard work being noticed. In their book The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath suggest two ways of giving recognition: 1) give frequent, personal recognition, and 2) make progress visible. We’ll explore both of these methods below.

Emily Nagoski: What Causes Sexual Desire?

What causes sexual desire? How does context or environment affect our perception of sexual stimuli? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, the best way to think about desire is that it’s the result of context interacting with what we find pleasurable. In other words, depending on the contextual factors at any given time, we may or may not find something pleasurable enough to want more of it. Keep reading to learn about the causes of desire, the different ways people experience desire, and what causes a lack of desire.

8 Examples of Development Goals to Set for Yourself

Are you looking to better yourself? What are some examples of development goals that you should set for yourself? Setting personal development goals for yourself requires focusing on yourself and acknowledging your needs. For that reason, many people have a difficult time setting personal goals and following through with them. These goals are especially useful for people who struggle with codependency and self-esteem. Here are eight examples of good goals to set for yourself this year.

The Paradox of Choice: Book Review and Context

Is Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice worth reading? How was the book received when it came out? Did it make an impact? In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz contends that the vast array of choices presented to us leaves us stressed and indecisive. To lift this burden, Schwartz, a professor of social theory and social action, recommends we learn how to better navigate our choices, from groceries to health insurance. Here is our The Paradox of Choice book review.

Normal Sexuality: Dispelling the Misconceptions

Is there such a thing as “normal sexuality”? How does modern culture misrepresent female sexuality? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, our culture tells women that there’s a standard for female sexuality, and they aren’t living up to it. What our society considers sexually “normal,” in terms of everything from anatomical structure to a person’s level of desire for sex, is based on the experience of the average man. This is because until relatively recently, research has focused heavily on men and male-centric models of sexuality. In this article, we’ll look at some of the misconceptions around female sexuality.

How to Develop Self-Discipline: 6 Tips From Sharma

Why is self-discipline so important? What steps can you take to become more disciplined in your daily life? Self-discipline may sound harsh, but it’s actually a form of self-care. In his book Who Will Cry When You Die?, Robin Sharma goes over the six methods you can use to build your self-discipline so you can improve on your own terms. Here is how to develop self-discipline, according to Sharma.

Think Like a Monk: Quotes by Jay Shetty

What are some of the best Think Like a Monk quotes from Jay Shetty? What can Shetty teach you about adopting a monk mindset? Former Vedic monk and award-winning content creator Jay Shetty claims that the route to happiness and fulfillment is to think like a monk. According to him, monks are the calmest and happiest people in the world because they live with a sense of purpose that aligns with their true, inner selves. Continue reading for some of the best quotes from Think Like a Monk.

Dealing With Regret: What Are the Consequences?

What are the major consequences of dealing with regret? In what ways can regret affect our ability to make decisions? Other than the obvious consequences of feeling sad when you regret something, regret can have more detrimental effects on your mental health. Two consequences of regret are developing regret aversion and avoiding sunk costs. Additionally, the more options you have to choose from, the worse the regret will feel. Keep reading to learn all about regret.