Shortform Books

What Is Cognitive Defusion? Therapist Explains

What is cognitive defusion? How can practicing defusion help you deal with negative thoughts more productively? In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, cognitive defusion means separating yourself from your internal mental chatter. Rather than taking your thinking self’s stories as the absolute truth, through defusion, you can harness the power of the observing self to take a step back from those stories and recognize them for what they are: only words and images. Keep reading to learn about the ACT concept of cognitive defusion and some techniques you can use to defuse yourself from negative thoughts.

Blue Ocean Strategy: Pricing to Maximize Revenue

How is pricing determined in the blue ocean strategy? What are the benefits of low-cost pricing? Blue Ocean Strategy authors W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne advise setting your price to maximize the number of buyers in your market. In other words, you want to select a price that will make your product attractive to as many potential customers as possible. Keep reading to learn about the blue ocean strategy pricing approach.

A Personal Relationship With God: Obedience Is Central

What does it mean to have a personal relationship with God? What is the role of obedience in this relationship? Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that a personal relationship with God is how discipleship works—and that obedience is at the center. A true disciple seeks to obey Jesus. Keep reading to learn about obedience within a personal relationship with God.

Surrounded by Idiots: The 4 Types and Body Language

In what ways do Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue personalities act differently? How can understanding the body language of each type help prevent misunderstandings? Thomas Erikson writes in Surrounded by Idiots, the 4 types of personalities each use body language differently. A Red might lean forward while speaking to you, while a Blue might stand back and cross their arms. If you know what to expect from a person, then you won’t misinterpret their feelings. Here’s a breakdown of the body language of each of the 4 personality types.

Why Does Inflation Occur? It’s Not About Money Printing

Why does inflation occur? Is inflation a natural occurrence or is it caused by external forces? In her book The Deficit Myth, Stephanie Kelton—a former Senate Budget Committee staffer and 2016 campaign adviser to Bernie Sanders—discusses inflation in depth. Kelton believes that inflation occurs naturally and is not a result of government policies. Continue reading to learn about the causes and effects of inflation.

The Worst Self-Help Books: According to Dan Harris

What are the worst self-help books, according to self-help author Dan Harris? What makes these books so unhelpful? As Dan Harris navigated the world of self-help, he encountered a few popular self-help gurus. Given his unique position as a journalist, he was often able to interview them. He admits that some of their ideas resonated with him and his understanding of mindfulness, but he found it difficult to fully embrace each guru’s ideology. We’ll talk about three of these gurus: Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and Tara Brach.

Surrounded by Idiots: The 4 Colors and Their Traits

What are the traits of Thomas Erikson’s four personality colors? What are the negative perceptions of each color? In the book Surrounded by Idiots, colors are used to break down the most common personalities into four categories: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Red and Yellow personalities are considered to be extroverted, while the Green and Blue personalities are introverted. Here’s a breakdown of the four colors and the negative perceptions of each.

The Happiness Trap: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What is Russ Harris’s The Happiness Trap about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book The Happiness Trap, therapist and life coach Russ Harris advocates for ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as a tool for getting ourselves out of “the happiness trap” and learning to deal with the pain and suffering in a productive way. Unlike CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), which focuses on changing your thoughts to lessen suffering, ACT teaches awareness and acceptance of negative thoughts and feelings. Let’s explore the key ideas discussed in the book.

What “Ideal Customer Service” Looks Like

What does it mean to have ideal customer service? What steps can you take to ensure your customers leave your business happy? In their book Raving Fans, Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles argue that successful organizations have one common central focus: providing an excellent customer service experience. In their business fable, they outline what the ideal customer service experience looks like and five questions you should ask yourself as a business owner. Continue reading to learn how to improve customer service at your company.

The Interplay Between Culture and Sports Success

What role does culture play in sports success? Is athletic ability a matter of nature or nurture? An athlete’s dedication to their sport is, at least in part, a product of socioeconomic factors and culture. Even the genetic advantages of a Nilotic body type, the ideal altitude circumstances, and the narrow lower legs of Kenyan runners still do not completely explain their running dominance. Let’s look at the interplay between culture and sports success.