Shortform Books

Your Dream Job: 2 Traits That Lead to Job Satisfaction

Do you know how to find your dream job? What does that job look like? When you consider your dream job, you might think about a certain industry, role, or title. Even more important to consider are the terms of the job. Does it allow you freedom and flexibility? Does it help you make a difference and leave a legacy? In other words, your dream job probably involves autonomy and mission. Read more to understand what desirable jobs entail and learn how to find your dream job.

Breast Cancer: Causes and Prevention Measures

How deadly is breast cancer? What is the main cause of breast cancer? Can breast cancer be prevented? Around 41,000 people die from breast cancer and 230,000 are diagnosed annually. A number of different factors can contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer, many of which are related to lifestyle. Therefore, the likelihood of breast cancer can be significantly reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices. Keep reading to learn about breast cancer causes and prevention.

How to Be Effective: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Do you feel busy yet unproductive? Do you struggle to manage yourself? Many people struggle with managing themselves, and as a result, end up spending time doing the wrong things—things that keep them busy yet aren’t relevant or only tangentially relevant to their priorities. In his book The Effective Executive, Peter Drucker explains how to manage yourself to be effective. He defines effectiveness as choosing and doing the right things—that is, the things that significantly improve personal and organizational performance. Keep reading for Drucker’s expert advice on how to be effective.

Iatrogenic Death: Death From Medical Treatment

What is iatrogenic death? Is it possible to lower the patient’s risk of dying from medical treatment? Iatrogenic death is death caused by medical treatment. Although medical treatment outcomes are often out of patients’ control, there are some things that can be done to lower its risks. Here’s are some ways iatrogenic death can be avoided.

Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health & Development

What is social media’s impact on mental health? In what ways is social media delaying the emotional development of children? In their book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff explore how social media is delaying the emotional development of young people and causing depression, anxiety, and self-harm. This is due to the fact that prolonged time spent on these apps is transforming the digital world into the “real” world. Keep reading to learn about social media’s impact on mental health.

The 2 Elements of Feedback and How to Deliver Them

Mastering the Art of Giving Feedback in the Workplace

What constitutes effective feedback? How can you ensure that your feedback is acted upon? According to Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, the authors of Thanks for the Feedback, there are just two elements of feedback: 1) the looking-back element, and 2) the looking-forward element. To ensure your feedback is taken on board, make sure that the receiver understands both parts. Here is how to structure feedback to ensure both the giver and the receiver are on the same page.

The Power of Vulnerability Discussion Questions

Do you want to further your understanding of Brené Brown lecture? How can these The Power of Vulnerability discussion questions help you relate her messages to your own life? The Power of Vulnerability was a TED Talk given by Brené Brown about shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living. Brown explains that, in today’s culture, it’s hard to ever feel like you’re “good enough,” so she shared practices on how to stop feeling shame and comparing yourself to others. Continue reading for exercises and discussion questions inspired by Brené Brown’s lecture.

How Visualizing Your Goals Can Turn Against You

Do you believe that visualizing your dreams can help you make them a reality? What if it has the opposite effect? You might have heard self-help gurus talk about the power of visualizing your goals. While visualizing the desired final outcome of your efforts could be helpful in keeping your goals top of mind, too much visualization can actually have the opposite effect. Here is why goal visualization can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

Sexual Infidelity: Why Do People Cheat?

Why do people cheat in relationships? Do you think a relationship can still work after one of the partners cheated on the other? People are unfaithful for many disparate reasons, ranging from revenge to healing. However, according to couples therapist Esther Perel, unfaithfulness doesn’t necessarily mean that a relationship has deeper problems. Lots of cheaters are happy with their relationships. In this article, we’ll explore why people in monogamous relationships cheat, and how to handle the possibility of sexual infidelity that exists in every relationship.

The Role of Human Capital in Economic Development

What exactly is human capital? What is the role of human capital in economic development? Human capital is the sum of what makes an individual valuable and marketable (e.g. intelligence, athletic ability, education, and work experience, etc). Economies with higher levels of human capital are stronger than those with lower levels for a number of reasons: 1) it increases wealth; 2) it controls population growth, 3) it drives productivity, and 4) it explains inequality. We’ll explore each of these below.