Shortform Books

Social Class Mobility and Economic Inequality

What is social class mobility? How does social class mobility contribute to economic equality? Social class mobility refers to the degree to which people are able to move between classes within the economic stratification system. According to Nassim Taleb, the author of Skin in the Game, social class mobility is a more telling representation of a nation’s economic inequality than static inequality (the inequality of a population at a point in time). In this article, we’ll explore why social class mobility is a better metric to track when measuring economic inequality.

How to Build a Latticework of Mental Models

Why should you build a latticework of mental models? Can mental models help you deal with your cognitive biases? Building a latticework of mental models will help you become a versatile problem solver. You will use multidisciplinary learning to combine ideas across different disciplines to find solutions. Mental models will also help you recognize the psychological biases that could influence you, leading to better decision-making. Read on to discover how to build your own latticework of mental models.

The Power of Showing up: How to Build Consistency

What is one thing you want to achieve that requires consistent effort? Can you think of a time when staying consistent with one small behavior or habit helped you achieve something big? Big, ambitious goals require consistent effort to become reality. In other words, they require that you consistently show up to contribute towards them. In this article, you’ll learn how to build consistency in your efforts to grow.

How to Foster Mutually Beneficial Relationships

How can hiring more personnel help you improve your personal relationships? What two things can you do to improve your mutually beneficial relationships? Mutually beneficial relationships aren’t always focused on romance—it’s important to deepen your connections with others, even at work. In their book Who Not How, Sullivan and Hardy explain that there are two ways of strengthening your personal relationships: by giving generously and by engaging wholeheartedly. Continue reading to learn how personal relationships benefit both parties and how to grow them.

Maxwell Maltz: What Is Psycho-Cybernetics?

What is Psycho-Cybernetics? How did Maxwell Maltz develop his Psycho-Cybernetic theory of goal-oriented behavior? Psycho-Cybernetics utilizes a mechanical perspective of your brain’s inner workings to explain goal-oriented behavior. Maltz’s research into the process the mind goes through to achieve goals led him to the work of Dr. John von Neumann, who explored the parallels between computers and the human mind. Neumann’s concepts led Maltz to develop an interest in cybernetic theory—a branch of science that studies the goal-oriented behavior of mechanical systems. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of Psycho-Cybernetics and illustrate how your mind works like a machine

Erin Meyer: What Is Affective Trust?

What is affective trust? How do people from personal cultures approach professional relationships? Affective trust is trust that develops based on how you feel about the other person. Affective trust is the trust that people of all cultures feel towards their family and friends. But in personal cultures, it’s also the cornerstone of professional relationships. In this article, we’ll look at how members of personal cultures build trust and present some tips you can use to build trust in a personal culture.

How to Gain Peace of Mind and Inner Calm

Is your mind filled with racing thoughts and incessant worry? What can you do to slow down your mind and bring it to a calmer, more stable state? Living with strain and anxiety is difficult while living in a state of harmony makes for an easy, calm existence. There are several methods by which you can learn how to gain peace of mind, serenity, and calm attitudes. Try these strategies for quieting your mind and attaining inner peace.

Doubt Avoidance Tendency: Explained With Examples

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Doubt Avoidance Tendency

What is the doubt avoidance tendency? How can you control your fight or flight response? The doubt avoidance tendency is the inclination to make quick, poorly thought-out decisions during stressful situations. The pressure to remove doubt causes you to make ill-informed choices. You can control this tendency by scheduling deliberate delays when under pressure to carefully strategize before reaching a final decision. Read on to learn more about the doubt avoidance tendency.

Overcoming Your Limitations: Unchain Your Mind

What’s one thing you want to do but are too afraid to take action on because you believe you’ll fail? Why do you believe that this endeavor is doomed to fail? People see their limitations as proof of their inability to succeed. But when you believe you can’t improve, it prevents you from even trying. Therefore, the first step to overcoming your limitations is to get yourself to believe that you can. In this article, we’ll explore three methods you can use to overcome your (often self-imposed) limitations.

Building an Effective Team: 3 Tactics for Success

What are the keys to building an effective team? How should you approach new hires and current team members? An all-star team is crucial to successfully grow your business. In Scaling Up, Verne Harnish offers three tactics for building an effective team—two for new hires and one for current employees. Read more to learn how to build an effective team.