Shortform Books

How to Become the Person You Want to Be

Are you the best version of yourself? If not, what’s stopping you? How do you shed your self-imposed limitations and become the person you want to be? To become who you want to be, you have to make positive changes in the way you feel and think on a moment-to-moment basis, and then make those new thoughts and feelings a habit. Through the power of neuroplasticity and epigenetics, these changes will become permanent and physically ingrained in you. With this in mind, here’s how to become the person you want to be.

Problem-Solving Teams: How & When to Deploy Them

Does your team get stuck when it encounters a problem that’s beyond its expertise? What if your organization had a team designed to come in and save the day? In Team Topologies, Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais recommend dividing your workforce into four types of teams. One type is what they call “complicated-subsystem teams,” which are basically problem-solving teams. Read more to understand how and when such specialized teams should be deployed.

How to Support Body Positivity for Teens as a Parent

How can parents support body positivity for teens? What should you do if your child becomes hyper-focused on their appearance? Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel Smile sends an uplifting message: confidence comes by focusing less on appearance and more on personal interests. Her novel not only promotes body positivity for teens but also shows parents how to support their teens through adolescent struggles. Read on to learn how to support teen body positivity, based on the first-hand advice in Smile.

7 Pieces of Advice From Entrepreneurs Who Made It

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? What can you learn from the most successful entrepreneurs in the world? You’ll likely endure many challenges on your path of entrepreneurship. A true entrepreneur embraces these obstacles and works tirelessly to find solutions. If you ever feel defeated, just know that the most successful entrepreneurs overcame these same problems. Below is the best advice from entrepreneurs that you’ll ever receive, from business magnate Warren Buffett to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: Book Overview

When and how did our solar system form? Why is the universe fine-tuned for life? What do scientists know about the origin of life? Scientists have learned a ton about the universe and the Earth. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson covers the major discoveries and theories and points out what we still don’t know. Keep reading for an overview of this accessible guide to science and natural history, from the big bang to the arrival of hominids on Earth.

Why Exponential Innovation Is the Key to Success

What is exponential innovation? Why should every entrepreneur become an exponential innovator? Technology has caused products and industries to develop at an exponential rate, making old ways of innovating and competing obsolete. To achieve and maintain success today, Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler’s book Bold argues that entrepreneurs must adjust their mindset and embrace exponential innovation. Keep reading to learn how to succeed in the digital era.

Why Do Politicians Lie—Has Post-Truth Politics Taken Over?

Why do politicians lie? Why do we continue to support politicians, even when we know they’re lying? Research shows that Americans will continue to support their preferred political candidates even when they know those candidates lie. Since 2016, the term “post-truth politics” has come into regular use for just this reason. Read on to learn why politicians lie and why Americans tolerate it.

How to Create Your Own Reality: Transurfing in 2 Steps

Do you feel like you have no control over what happens in your life? Does it seem like life just happens to you? According to best-selling author Vadim Zeland, you feel like this because you’re not conscious of how your thoughts and emotions create your reality. Consciously choosing the way you think and feel allows you to control which version of reality you live in. Keep reading for Zeland’s two-step advice on how to create your own reality.

The 5 Second Rule: Procrastination’s Worst Enemy

Do you procrastinate often? How can the 5 Second Rule help you overcome procrastination? Procrastination is a terrible habit that’s hard to get rid of. Luckily, Mel Robbins’s book The 5 Second Rule teaches you how to overcome two types of procrastination: procrastinating on daily tasks and procrastinating on life changes. Keep reading to learn the 5 Second Rule’s procrastination techniques.

Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun: Book Overview

How to Have an Effective Strategic Discussion

Want an overview of Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun? What does a project manager do? In Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun, he explains what makes a good project leader and how you can better communicate with the people you work with if you find yourself in that role. In the book, Berkun answers the many questions you may have on leadership and project management. Read on for an overview of Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun.