Shortform Books

The 3 Elements of Change: Set Yourself Up for Success

What is the key to changing an undesirable behavior and making the change last? Is there a formula behind a successful behavior change? Successful change involves certain patterns that you can intentionally engineer to significantly improve your change success rate. According to Chip and Dan Heath, the authors of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, there are three elements of behavior change: 1) the rational you, 2) the emotional you, and 3) the path forward. Keep reading to learn about the three elements of change.

The Dot-Com Bubble: What Went Wrong?

What was the dot-com bubble? Why did this economic bubble burst? The dot-com bubble was an economic bubble beginning in the late 1990s, caused by speculation and optimism about the rise of the internet. Although many “dot-com” companies had no earnings, shares prices were excessively high. Eventually, the “dot-com” bubble burst, with disastrous consequences for many companies. Learn about the dot-com bubble below.

The Hacker’s Diet: The Simple Guide to Weight Loss

What is The Hacker’s Diet about? What is the key, according to its author John Walker, to successful weight loss? The Hacker’s Diet was written by John Walker, founder of software company Autodesk. This is an engineer’s approach to weight loss, described in terms of control systems, feedback loops, measurement noise reduction, and practical problem-solving. Here is a breakdown of Walker’s advice from The Hacker’s Diet.

How to Be More Resilient: The Best 4 Strategies

Are you constantly analyzing yourself? Do you try to avoid or repress negative emotions? Do you feel powerless in your life? If you answered yes to these questions, you need to learn how to be more resilient. In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown offers four strategies for building resilience that will lead to a better mental state and more happiness in your life. Continue reading for Brené Brown’s advice on how to be more resilient.

Understanding the Psychology of Learning

How do we learn? What are the processes that allow us to encode knowledge into the brain? Psychologists conceptualize three stages of learning: 1) encoding, 2) consolidation, and 3) retrieval. At the encoding stage, the brain creates mental representations of the information. Then, it consolidates it by transferring it from short-term to long-term memory. Finally, it cements the knowledge to make it available for retrieval. Learn more about the psychology of learning, what happens at each stage, and how new information is embedded in the brain at the cellular level.

Why the Idea of “Finding Oneself” Is Limiting

Are you on a journey of self-discovery? Do you want to find yourself and your identity? According to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, the idea of “finding oneself” may actually be counterintuitive. Author Mark Manson says that labeling yourself puts you in a box and limits your opportunities and growth. Instead, Manson says, you should let go of your identity altogether. Keep reading to learn why Mark Manson says you should stop labeling your identity.

How to Find the Rate of Return on Investments

Do you want to know how to find the rate of return on investments? What effective formula can help you predict the rate of return efficiently? Market projections in the short run—a month, or even a year, from the present—are generally a fool’s errand, but, by knowing which variables to examine, it is possible to make relatively accurate projections of long-term return on investment. Understanding how to find the rate of return will help you to make wiser choices when investing. Keep reading to find out how to find the rate of return on investments.

Markowitz’s Theory Explained (Modern Portfolio Theory)

What is Markowitz’s theory about investment portfolios? How can diversification of stocks reduce risk? Harry Markowitz’s theory (Modern Portfolio Theory) suggests that the diversification of a stock portfolio can reduce risk. It asserts that a diversified portfolio—one that features holdings in a variety of industries and countries—is more likely to be profitable than a homogenous one. Find out more about Markowitz’s theory below.

Techniques for Using Voice and Tone in Sales

What is Jordan Belfort’s advice on using voice and tone while making a sale? How can the right tone help you connect emotionally and increase the chance of a sale? In his sales book, Way of the Wolf, Jordan Belfort discusses voice and tone at length. He asserts that doing things like modulating your voice, using upspeak, sounding sympathetic, and more will help you connect with your prospect and increase the odds of closing a sale. Learn how to sell with your voice and tone below.

How to Distinguish Dependency Disorder From Love

What is dependency disorder? Why is it sometimes confused with love? A common myth about love is that it is the same as dependency. However, dependency is a disorder in which the need for nurture takes over your life. Dependency disorder is parasitic, not leaving room for freedom. True love is interdependence, a healthy dynamic that thrives on freedom. Keep reading to learn more about dependency disorder and how it is different from love.