Shortform Books

Stealing Fire: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What’s the book Stealing Fire about? What are peak states of consciousness? How do they help us reach true fulfillment? Stealing Fire is a book co-written by Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal that explores the modern revolution in our understanding of peak states of consciousness, which they call “ecstasis.” These states are typically found through deep meditative experiences, psychedelic exploration, and extreme sports. Read on for a brief overview of the Stealing Fire book, including Kotler and Wheal’s key takeaways.

The First Turning: America’s High (1946 to 1964)

What was the prevailing mood of America after World War II? What was it like for young people? How did society perceive the government? In The Fourth Turning, historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe explain how Anglo-American history follows a pattern of four 15- to 25-year periods, called Turnings, and how the behaviors of different generations define these Turnings. They explain that the First Turning is a High. Read more to understand First Turnings in general and the most recent First Turning, 1946 to 1964, in particular.

How to Spot Nervous and Stressed Body Language

How does stress affect your nonverbal communication? What body language cues indicate that a person is stressed or nervous? According to former FBI agent Joe Navarro, when people are stressed, they tend to perform self-comforting acts as a natural coping mechanism. This can manifest in nervous body language, such as massaging the neck, playing with the hair, or adjusting jewelry. Here’s how you can spot stressed body language, according to Navarro.

The Benefits of Collaborative Learning: Stretch Your Limitless Mind

How do our brains work differently when working with others? What happens when we’re exposed to other ways of thinking? In Limitless Mind, published in 2019, Jo Boaler explains how neuroscience research has overturned our age-old beliefs about how learning works. Based on what we now know, she says that we must foster true collaboration so that students are exposed to many ways of thinking. Read more to discover the benefits of collaborative learning.

How to Cultivate Sudden Insights: Taking Advantage of Serendipity

Have you ever taken a “reading vacation”? Do you collaborate with artificial intelligence? Do you think in the shower—or just sing? You might wonder how people come up with incredible innovations. Best-selling author and theorist Steven Johnson explores where good ideas come from. Sometimes, they come from epiphanies, and he shares ways to take advantage of serendipitous moments. Keep reading to learn how to cultivate sudden insights that could lead to exciting places.

How to Maximize Productivity: 6 Ways to Make the Most of Today

Do you have big dreams but continually fail to make much progress? How many moments have you squandered just today? In Someday Is Today, Matthew Dicks explains how you can eliminate time-wasters and increase your efficiency on necessary tasks. Then he argues that you must learn how to maximize productivity and reach your full potential so you can become as successful as possible, as soon as possible. Continue reading for Dicks’s top six principles for maximizing productivity and an exercise to help you apply them.

3 Common Business Problems & How to Navigate Them Wisely

How long does it take to find the right investors? How do you maintain personal well-being when leading a business? Why should you memorialize business catastrophes? No matter how well your launches go, you’ll likely face challenges in your business. Serial entrepreneur Tony Fadell recommends strategies for three common business problems: a lack of funds, a lack of work-life balance, and catastrophes. Continue reading to learn how to navigate these challenges and come through as a stronger leader with a stronger business.

The Future of Design: What’s Next for Tech?

What are the main issues with technology today? What does the future of design look like? Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant’s book User Friendly contends that technology has become inhumane and addictive. The authors provide two main recommendations to achieve a future vision of a user-friendly world: Streamline many of the gadgets in people’s lives and design technologies that adhere to users’ values. Keep reading to learn what the future of design should look like to enhance people’s lives.

Is a US TikTok Ban on the Horizon?

Will TikTok get banned in the US? What are the arguments for and against a US TikTok ban? What does the ban mean for you? In recent months, the White House, Congress, US armed forces, and more than half of US states have banned TikTok, from government-issued devices. There’s broad concern that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could share Americans’ personal data with the Chinese government. Keep reading to learn about both sides of the argument.

How Does Mental Health Affect Work Performance?

How does mental health affect work performance? How have bad mental health treatments destroyed well-known leaders? Both good and bad mental health affect work performance. For most, it’s important to be in a healthy state of mind when working. However, some leaders actually benefit from poor mental health, especially during crisis situations. Learn why A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi says you need to check in on your mental health as a leader.