Shortform Books

The Little-Known History of the American English

What is the history of American English? Who brought the English language to the American continent? How did Americans develop their distinct vocabulary and pronunciation? The history of American English began in the seventeenth century when the first wave of English-speaking settlers arrived in the Americas. Over time, they developed their unique vocabulary and pronunciation, borrowing from the native tongues of the American Indians, the earlier Spanish settlers, and even the French. Keep reading to learn about the history of American English.

The Importance of Emotional Safety in the Workplace

What does it mean to say someone feels emotionally safe at work? What happens when emotional security is absent in the workplace? When employees feel emotionally safe at work, they feel secure and are comfortable speaking out. When emotional safety is absent in the workplace, performance and efficiency drop drastically. Read about the importance of emotional safety in the workplace and what happens when it’s missing.

The Law of Perspective: Focus on the Long-Term

Why is it so important to focus on long-term goals rather than short-term profits in a company? Is there a way to accurately predict what the market trends will be? In The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, the Law of Perspective states that you must resist being swayed by short-term benefits and diligently consider the long-term effects of your actions. This means resisting the urge to promote frequent price cuts because your sales may jump in the short term but they will suffer in the long term. Keep reading to learn more about the Law of Perspective.

In Brief: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

What is the main message of So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo? What are the key themes discussed in the book? So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo is a handbook on how to have intelligent, productive, and empathic conversations about race. Beyond giving practical advice on how to talk about race, the book also addresses broader inequality issues including privilege, intersectionality, cultural appropriation, and the model minority myth. Here is a brief overview of So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.

How to Avoid Decision Making Paralysis for Life

What is decision-making paralysis? How does it affect your life and choices? Decision-making paralysis is when you realize you have limited decisions in life and can’t choose what path to follow. Once you start thinking about what will get you where you want to go, you’ll find that it’s easier to make decisions. Read more about decision-making paralysis and what it means.

Gary Klein: Premortem Plans for What Could Go Wrong

What is Gary Klein’s premortem planning technique? What was his inspiration in coming up with the premortem analysis? Gary Klein’s premortem analysis looks at what could go wrong in advance in order to prepare for or prevent problems. It’s catching on among startups and major companies, but it actually dates back to the Stoics, who called this process the “premeditation of evils.” Read about Gary Klein’s premortem technique.

Michelle Obama’s Accomplishments as First Lady

What did Michelle Obama achieve during her time as First Lady? How did she use her newfound power to make a positive impact? Michelle Obama knew better than to try to meddle in political matters as First Lady. However, her position as First Lady gave her the publicity and resources to run campaigns to try to help children and military families. Keep reading for more on Michelle Obama’s accomplishments as First Lady.

Why Authors Reference Literary Fairy Tales and Myths

What do fairy tales and myths signify in literature? Why would an author choose to borrow an element of an already well-known story? It’s common practice for authors to reference fairy tales and classical mythology in their literature because they are an assumed body of knowledge. Referencing well-known material allows an author to get a point across without much effort. Keep reading for more information about literary fairy tales and myths.

Feeling Unworthy Is More Common Than You Think

Do you ever struggle with feelings of unworthiness? Do you feel like you’ll never be “good enough”? Where do these painful feelings stem from? In today’s society, almost everybody struggles with feeing unworthy. This feeling stems from many sources and can lead to self-destructive behaviors and coping mechanisms. However, by trying to hide the pain, we’re often making it worse. Keep reading to learn about the roots and dangers of feeling unworthy.

The Defining Decade: 4 Quotes About Growing Up

Are you looking for the best quotes from The Defining Decade? Can these quotes help you prepare for your future in your 20s? These quotes from The Defining Decade cover author Meg Jay’s advice on life, love, and planning for your future. Being in your 20s is hard, but with these kinds of guides, it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading for four great The Defining Decade quotes.