Shortform Books

The Fresh Start Effect: The Power of New Beginnings

What is the fresh start effect? How can you use the fresh start effect to your benefit? The fresh start effect is the human tendency toward action during special occasions or temporal landmarks. Just as people feel more optimistic and capable at the start of a day/week/year, they also feel more optimistic and capable when they’re at the beginning of a project or a new job. Keep reading to learn about the fresh start effect and how you can use it to your advantage.

The Best John Rawls Quotes From A Theory of Justice

Are you looking for John Rawls’s quotes from A Theory of Justice? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls explores the best and most just way a society can distribute social goods like rights, wealth, and power. He argues that people can and should determine the distribution of these goods entirely through reason, rather than by appeals to one’s identity—sex, race, religion, etc. Below is a selection of passages highlighting some of the key ideas.

HSP Personality Traits and Characteristics

What is meant by a “highly sensitive person” or HSP? What are the key characteristics of the HSP personality? A highly sensitive person is someone who experiences a higher degree of sensitivity than the average person. HSPs’ personality traits include high empathy, an ability to process things more deeply and discern subtleties, and a tendency to become overstimulated. Keep reading to learn about the HSP personality traits and key characteristics.

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: Book Overview

Want an overview of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers? Why are people today more stressed than ever before? In Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, biologist and neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky argues that stress in modern society is causing major physical and mental harm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce stress in your life and curb the damage caused by chronic stress. Keep reading for an overview of Robert Sapolsky’s book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers.

How to Help Someone After a Stroke: Advice From a Survivor

What do stroke survivors need? What are some practical ways to support their recovery? Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroscientist who survived and healed from a stroke. She’s uniquely qualified to provide insights on how professional caregivers, family, and friends can support stroke survivors. Here’s her advice on how to help someone after a stroke.

Launch by Jeff Walker: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What should you do before you even mention sales? How can you make a product launch an event that people don’t want to miss? In Launch, entrepreneur and digital marketing expert Jeff Walker says that you should prioritize giving value and building customer engagement rather than focusing on sales to launch a product online quickly and successfully. He provides a practical strategy with clear steps. Keep reading for an overview of Launch by Jeff Walker, and get on the road to a successful product launch.

American Military Strength: H. R. McMaster’s Call to Action

How should the U.S. deal with Russian aggression and Chinese economic warfare? In what ways should the U.S. go on the offensive? In Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster describes the global challenges that the U.S. faces. He believes they can be met under certain conditions. He urges the U.S. to remain vigilant against open aggression and to use the truth to counter the propaganda of oppressive regimes. Read more to learn McMaster’s recommendations regarding American military strength in the current global climate.

How to Be Supportive of Everyone in Your Life

Is your heart open to everyone around you? How can you be supportive of your partner and even strangers? Mutual support is the foundation of all healthy relationships. By showing you’ll be there for someone through life’s toughest obstacles, you’ve proven that you’re a trusted and supportive ally for anyone. Here’s how to be supportive of the people you know and strangers.

The Peak-End Effect: Harness the Power of Endings

What is the peak-end effect? Why do endings feel so significant? The peak-end effect is the psychological tendency to remember and put a greater emotional weight on the ending of an experience. While endings may feel disproportionately more significant, they can distort our perception of the experience as a whole. Keep reading to learn about the peak-end effect and how you can harness it to your advantage.

Chris Hadfield’s Missions in Space: From 1995 to 2012

How important were Chris Hadfield’s missions in space? What was his role in these space missions? In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, retired astronaut Chris Hadfield looks back on three space missions that changed his life and can change yours. These missions marked Hadfield as one of the most important astronauts in the Canadian Space Agency’s history. Continue reading to learn the details of Chris Hadfield’s missions.