Shortform Books

The Two Types of Motivation: Type X vs. Type I

What are the two types of motivation? Which type of motivation is more sustainable? In psychology, motivation is primarily categorized into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is a natural, internal drive to engage in an activity, whereas extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors (e.g. financial rewards). While extrinsic rewards can motivate behavior in the short term, intrinsic motivation is more sustainable in the long term. In this article, we’ll look at the psychology behind intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and why intrinsic rewards are more sustainable in the long run.

Sympathetic Joy: Happiness Is Contagious

What is sympathetic joy? How do you master sympathetic joy meditation? Sympathetic joy is the practice of deriving satisfaction from untainted happiness for other people. This applies to loved ones, strangers, and even enemies. You can master sympathetic joy meditation by picturing others, and imagining something good happening to them that will bring them happiness. Read on to learn how to master sympathetic joy meditation.

Price Control in Economics: The Pros and Cons

Why do governments enact price controls? How do they determine what the appropriate prices are? And what happens when a good or service is priced either too low or too high? In economics, price controls are regulations set by governments to ensure goods and services are appropriately priced. When the pricing is mis-optimized, it causes misallocation of resources. The real losses come from the misallocation of scarce resources and a reduction in the total wealth of society. In this article, you’ll learn when the government intervenes in the pricing of goods and services and the implications of these interventions.

Why Grit Is More Important Than Talent

What do you think is more important—talent or perseverance? Can talent overpower grit? Psychologist and author Adam Grant believes that grit is more important than talent when it comes to determining someone’s potential. Someone can have all the talent in the world but if they don’t have the determination to develop their skills, then they’ll never improve. Here is why grit is more important than talent, according to Adam Grant.

Investing by Age: Best Advice For Each Stage of Life

Are you looking for a guide to investing by age? How should your investing strategy change as you age? Age may just be a number, but it’s vitally important when deciding how to allocate your investments. For example, someone in their twenties will have completely different priorities and considerations than someone who is retired. As such, it’s important to consider investing by age recommendations. Keep reading for our complete guide to investing by age.

The Role of Action Triggers in Habit Formation

What are action triggers? How can they help with habit formation? We set up action triggers to prompt particular actions. For example, when you’re drinking your first cup of tea in the morning (trigger), you create your goals for the day (action). Setting up action triggers to prompt desirable behavior is foundational in forming habits. Keep reading to learn how to use action triggers to facilitate habit formation.

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Quotes

Are you looking for The Practice of Adaptive Leadership quotes? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In their book The Practice of Adaptive Leadership, leadership experts Ronald A. Heifetz, Alexander Grashow, and Marty Linsky teach you how to lead your organization through the difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous process of adaptation. Below is a selection of The Practice of Adaptive Leadership quotes with explanations.

To Mobilize an Idea, Appeal to Self-Interest

What is the key to getting people to onboard with an idea? How do communicate an idea in such a way that gets people to not only listen to it, but act on it? If you want people to hear your idea and act on it, show them how they will benefit. Ultimately, you can use this appeal to self-interest to get them to care about something else. Continue reading to learn how to make your message stick with an appeal to self-interest.

“Eat Watch”: Why You Can’t Stop Eating

Do you feel the urge to keep eating even if you don’t feel hungry anymore? Why do you think that is? Why does it seem like other people have natural limits and you just can’t stop? In his book The Hacker’s Diet, John Walker introduces the concept of the “eat watch.” Some people’s eat watch tells them when they’ve eaten enough and when to stop. However, some people have broken their eat watches which is why they don’t alert them when they’re eating over the limit. Keep reading to learn what to do if your eat watch is broken.

Kotti Berlin Protest: A Case Study of Communal Care

What triggered the Kotti Berlin protest? Why was the role of the community so important? The Kotti Berlin protest was triggered when an elderly Turkish-German woman (Nuriye Cengiz) living in the neighborhood contemplated committing suicide because she couldn’t afford the most recent rent increase. The Kotti community rallied behind her and formed a protest camp to fight against the rent hikes and evictions. The role of the community was crucial in preventing her from committing suicide because she found support in her community. Read on to learn more about how the Kotti Berlin protest teaches us the importance of community