Shortform Books

ACT Therapy Techniques: Expansion

What is the expansion technique? How can practicing expansion help you deal with negative emotions more productively? In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, expansion is a technique that uses our observing self to create space in our body to accept our emotions, rather than fight against them. Once we accommodate these difficult emotions, we can focus on taking meaningful action to improve our lives. Keep reading to learn about the ACT therapy technique of expansion, its benefits, and how to apply it.

The 4 Themes of the Book Many Lives Many Masters

What is the book Many Lives Many Masters about? What are the main themes brought out in its story? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Though Weiss, like many scientists, is a natural skeptic, his experience with this patient convinced him that there are spiritual “Masters” providing help and guidance from beyond the veil. He claims that the Masters shared messages revolving around four major themes. Read on to learn the four themes you can find in the

Corrective Feedback: What It Is and How to Use It

What is corrective feedback? Why does the Netflix CEO so strongly believe in corrective feedback? Corrective feedback is a type of ongoing feedback aimed at improving an employee’s performance over time. When done incorrectly, corrective feedback can cause frustration and awkwardness. But, when done properly, it can raise employee performance. Here are Netflix’s guidelines for implementing corrective feedback in the workplace.

Ryan Holiday: The Art of Stoic Resilience

How does one develop resilience? What can you do to become better at handling the curve balls that life throws at you? One of the cornerstones of Stoic philosophy is to be invulnerable to hardship and any external stress. Most modern people don’t have this kind of Stoic resilience because our powerful technology lulls us into thinking we can control everything that happens around us—we forget that life is unpredictable. Here’s how to build Stoic resilience, according to Ryan Holiday.

Blue Ocean Strategy: Book Overview

What is Blue Ocean Strategy about? What is the difference between a blue ocean and a red ocean? In their book Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne argue that the solution to business success is to operate in an uncontested market (the “blue ocean”). They contrast it with a “red ocean”, a marketplace where fierce competition has stained the water with the blood of the combatants. According to the authors, crowded markets and red ocean strategies tend to produce minimal profit margins, while blue ocean strategies lead to more profitable growth. Below is a brief overview of the

How to Organize Your Stuff for Better Efficiency

What is the best way to organize your stuff? Is it best to organize by category or by the frequency of use? The go-to method of organization is based on category. However, organizing your belongings by category isn’t actually very efficient. To efficiently access any item, it’s best to segment your stuff based on the frequency of use. Here is how to organize your stuff to give you the best access to the things you need.

The Power of Habit: Review and Critical Reception

What is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg about? How was the book received when it was released? In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explores the components of habit formation. He helps readers understand why they have certain habits, just how much these habits influence their daily lives, and how they can stop or change bad habits. Continue below for our The Power of Habit review including intellectual context and critical reception.

The Sales Bible: 6 Principles From the Bestseller

What are the key takeaways from The Sales Bible? What can you apply to your own professional life? The Sales Bible is sales trainer Jeffrey Gitomer’s collection of strategies and solutions to common selling problems gathered from his 40 years of experience in the field. Gitomer says that there are thousands of ways to sell—you just have to make sure that your personal method is grounded in a positive attitude, solid product knowledge, and excellent customer service. Read more to learn the six principles from The Sales Bible.

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Netflix’s Story

Does your company employ people from a diverse range of backgrounds? How can you adapt your policies to accommodate for cultural diversity in the workplace? What can you learn from how Netflix handled this hurdle? In their book No Rules Rules, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and author Erin Meyer discuss the challenges Netflix faced when it started to grow internationally. He learned two major lessons about working with people from different cultures and now Netflix successfully operates in over 190 countries. Here’s how Netflix CEO Reed Hastings adapted for diversity.

Many Lives Many Masters: Catherine’s Story

What was the experience of Catherine, who was featured in the book Many Lives Many Masters? What happened during her treatment? In the classic bestseller Many Lives Many Masters, “Catherine” is a pseudonym that Dr. Brian Weiss uses to protect his patient’s real identity. She was in her late 20s when she first came to Weiss seeking treatment for her severe, lifelong phobias—as well as insomnia, recurring nightmares, anxiety, and depression. Keep reading to learn about Catherine and her time with Dr. Weiss.