Shortform Books

Peak Performance Quotes on Stress, Rest, and Purpose

What are the best Peak Performance quotes? How does the combination of stress and rest enhance optimal performance? In Peak Performance, human performance experts Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness highlight optimal strategies for subjecting your body to stress and recuperating afterward. By doing so, you’re refreshing your body so you can perform at your best when something important comes up. Below we’ve listed a few of the best Peak Performance quotes that represent the authors’ main ideas.

Quotes From The Time Machine (+ Context & Explanation)

In The Time Machine, what aspect of humanity “had committed suicide”? Why did humanity grow weaker over time? What’s the significance of the two flowers? The Time Machine is a science fiction classic that tells the story of a Victorian scientist who builds a machine that can travel through time. In the distant future he finds that, rather than advancing, human civilization has collapsed. Continue reading for a few quotes from The Time Machine that provide insights into the book’s profound ideas.

How to Connect With Nature: Follow in Thoreau’s Footsteps

A young girl connecting with nature by looking up at a tree.

What rhythms does your life follow? When was the last time you bathed in a river? At Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau spent hours each day walking in the woods. He bathed in the pond. He got to know individual trees. Drawing from Thoreau’s experience, you can learn how to connect with nature and get into its rhythm. Continue reading to learn more about Thoreau’s connection with nature and two specific ways you can follow his example.

Personal Kanban: Book Overview and Productivity Takeaways

What’s Personal Kanban about? How can you use kanban boards to organize your life? In Personal Kanban, Agile productivity experts Jim Benson and Tonianne DeMaria teach you how to use kanban boards—a management method that keeps automakers efficient and software developers productive—to organize your life. Read below for a brief Personal Kanban book overview.

Synopsis of The Time Machine: Get to Know H.G. Wells’s Classic

What year does the Time Traveller in The Time Machine travel to? What does he find when he arrives? H.G. Wells’s classic book The Time Machine, first published in 1895, is one of the earliest known science fiction stories. It popularized the concept of time travel and introduced the now-common phrase “time machine.” Continue reading for a synopsis of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.

How to Enjoy Solitude: 3 Tips Inspired by Walden Pond

A man enjoying solitude by sitting next to a lake.

Are you lonely? How often do you spend time alone? Is that time enjoyable and valuable? One of the reasons why Henry David Thoreau went to live in the woods was to be alone—but not to feel alone. Appreciating this distinction and following Thoreau’s example can help you find meaning in time spent alone. Keep reading to learn how to enjoy solitude as Thoreau did at Walden Pond.

What Is the Kanban System? The Best Way to Stay Productive

What is the kanban system? How does having your own personal kanban improve productivity? Before you start developing your own personal kanban, it’s helpful to understand the system’s background. In Personal Kanban, Jim Benson and Tonianne DeMaria explore what kanban is, its origins and benefits, and the difference between traditional and personal kanban. Let’s break down the basics of the kanban system below.

Karma by Sadhguru: Insights on Karma from a Yogi

What are the key points in Karma by Sadhguru? What does Sadhguru teach about the law of karma? In Karma by Sadhguru, the author uses his background as a spiritual leader to explain how the reality of karma is different from misconceptions about it, and he details how to manage your karma. Understanding these concepts can help you live more intentionally and build positive karma. Read on to learn more about what the law of karma is and how it can apply to your life.

Choose Your Own Path: Advice From Henry David Thoreau

A woman choosing her own path at a crossroads sign during a sunset.

What choices are the right ones for you? Do you tend to follow your intuition and live by your convictions? Henry David Thoreau made an interesting choice when he went to live in the woods. Perhaps even more interesting was his decision to leave the woods two years later. By looking at his example, you can draw inspiration to make your own choices. Read more to learn how Thoreau carved out his own life and how you can choose your own path, as well.

The History of Kanban: The System’s Origins in Toyota

A digital Kanban board of different tasks.

What’s the history of kanban? Who invented this organized production system? Kanban is traditionally a lean method used in workplaces to keep production moving. According to Personal Kanban by Jim Benson and Tonianne DeMaria, the origins of kanban actually started with a well-known vehicle manufacturer. Learn more about the surprising history of kanban systems.