Shortform Books

The 3 Dating Patterns: Maximizer, Romanticizer & Hesitater

What is your approach to dating? Are you the kind of person who is easily swept off your feet? Or do you approach dating strategically, trying to keep a cool head? According to dating coach Logan Ury, there are three “dating tendencies” or patterns people have: maximizers, romanticizers, and hesitaters. In her book How to Not Die Alone, she explains how each pattern leads to unhappiness—and how to prevent your own pattern from sabotaging your dating life. Keep reading to learn about the three unhealthy dating patterns that people fall into when looking for love.

C. S. Lewis: Faith Is Commitment, Not Blind Belief

If belief is based on evidence, is it still faith? How does C. S. Lewis define faith? According to C. S. Lewis, faith is reasoned devotion, not thoughtless adherence. In Mere Christianity, he identifies faith as one of several Christian virtues that God calls people to follow, and he explains how it makes a difference in your life. Continue reading for a brief discussion on faith, as Lewis sees it.

How to Make Parenting Decisions Less Stressful

How can you make your parenting decisions less stressful? What is economic reasoning? Emily Oster specializes in health economics and wrote Cribsheet to show the ways data can inform your parenting decisions. Oster’s findings in Cribsheet are relevant for any parents of young children and soon-to-be parents seeking advice on making research-informed, less stressful parenting decisions. Read on to learn how Oster says you can stress less over parenting decisions with economic reasoning.

Brave Decisions: How to Make Choices Like a Stoic Philosopher

Should you make a decision before you have all of the information? How should you balance risk and safety in the decision-making process? In Courage Is Calling, Ryan Holiday gives advice on accepting uncertainty and being bold in decision-making in the style of ancient Stoic philosophy. This involves embracing uncertainty and making choices before they’re made for you. Continue reading to learn about making brave decisions, the Stoic way.

The Problem With the Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer

What is the somatic mutation theory of cancer? What is the main shortcoming of this theory? The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has been at the forefront of cancer research during the 20th century. However, this theory can’t explain why cancer is so common, or why there are so many different types of cancer that all share the same characteristics. Dr. Jason Fung explains the flaws of the somatic mutation model.

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes: 4 Ways to Leverage Missteps

How can you turn mistakes into opportunities? How can you keep mistakes from stopping your progress? Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird argue that failure is a powerful teaching tool and a vital part of achieving your goal. Don’t view mistakes as hindrances but instead as opportunities for growth. A mistake gives you a specific thing to address: Why was this wrong? Read more to learn why it’s okay to make mistakes.

“Just Following Orders”: Corruption in the Soviet Gulag System

How does the cycle of abuse work in an institution? Is “just following orders” a valid defense? In The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn doesn’t excuse the brutal actions of officers and guards. However, he argues that they were under incredible pressure from the state to participate in violence and believes that most acted out of fear of their leaders, the desire for safety, and the need to conform. Read more to learn about corruption in the Soviet gulag system.

4 Surefire Ways to Build a Connection With Customers

Why should you make a meaningful connection with customers? How do you connect with customers on a personal level? Superfans by Patt Flynn asserts that your customers will have a positive experience with your brand if they feel a sense of personal connection. This includes feeling like the company and its staff understand them, want them to feel welcome, and even want to get to know them as people. Read below to learn how to make connections with customers that they’ll cherish.

The 3 Phases of William Bridges’s Transition Model

What is William Bridges’s Transition Model? How helpful is this model for businesses undergoing change? Developed by Bridges, the Bridges Transition Model helps organizations and individuals adapt to organizational and personal change. His book with Susan Bridges, Managing Transitions, goes into further detail on the model. Keep reading to learn about each stage of William Bridges’s Transition Model.

When to Sell Your Business & How to Do It

How do you know when to sell your business? How do you close a business? In his book Anything You Want, Derek Sivers says that as the owner of your own business, you should pay attention to what makes you happy and the passions that fuel you. When you no longer feel passionate about running your business, Sivers says it may be time to walk away. Keep reading to learn when and how to sell your business, according to Sivers’s advice.