Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: An Overview

What is Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman argues that the idea that you can wield perfect control over your time is a delusion that only fosters guilt and unhappiness. His solution is for humans to accept that they only have a finite amount of time and to operate within realistic parameters to make their lives as enjoyable and meaningful as possible. Below is a brief overview of Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.

3 Psychological Benefits of High Self-Esteem

Do you consider yourself a person of high self-esteem? What are the psychological benefits of high self-esteem? High self-esteem benefits every area of your life and makes you generally happier. People who think highly of themselves will chase more ambitious goals and are more likely to achieve them. Keep reading to learn how self-esteem correlates positively with several traits that improve happiness.

The Upper Limit Problem: Why You Feel Stuck in Life

Do you feel stuck? Do you feel as though something is missing in your life, even though you can’t put your finger on what exactly it is? Many people are plagued internally by a sense that there’s something missing in their life. If this sounds like you, you may be unconsciously limiting yourself by the “Upper Limit Problem”—an internal threshold for the maximum degree of success and happiness you’ll allow yourself to experience. According to Gay Hendricks, you get closer to this threshold as you progress further through levels of success. Here’s how Hendricks defines levels of life success and

Are You Living in Awareness or Denial?

Do you feel you are living from a place of awareness or denial? What does it mean to live in awareness? When you live in awareness, you look for information about the external and internal realities that affect your life, accept them, and act accordingly. For example, you take control of your finances by checking your bank account and adjusting your budget as needed. If you don’t look for information about these realities, you’re not living in awareness—you’re choosing ignorance and denying reality on some level. Keep reading to learn what living in awareness is and why it’s important.

How to Live Your Best Life: First, Envision It

Would you say you’re living your best life? If not, what do you think is preventing you? What excuses do you give yourself for not pursuing the things you want to do in life? Many people feel frustrated and unhappy with some aspects of their lives, blaming outside forces. We all have excuses for why we can’t do what we’d love to be doing. But our excuses are never really the reason we don’t act; underlying those excuses are self-doubt and fear of failure. We need to shift to thinking about the inner resources we do have to start living

The Biggest Time Management Myth, Debunked

Do you feel in control of how you spend your time? Do you believe it’s possible to have full control over your time? Time management is an important skill to have, but it’s also important to temper your expectations about it. Contrary to self-help gurus and time management experts, you’re not really in control of your time. In his book Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman debunks the biggest time management myth you’ve been led to believe—that you can have full control over how you spend your time provided you have the right tools. Let’s cover the two reasons why you

Nathaniel Branden on Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem

What does self-acceptance have to do with self-esteem? What’s the key difference between self-acceptance and self-esteem? Self-acceptance is an essential ingredient of self-esteem. However, it’s not the same as self-esteem. Self-esteem is a state you experience. Self-acceptance is an action you take. Keep reading to learn about the role of self-acceptance in self-esteem, according to psychotherapist and self-esteem expert Nathaniel Branden.

How to Use Your Time Wisely: 3 Tips for Happiness

Do you feel like you’re not making the most of your time? Do you often engage in time-wasting activities that yield neither value nor enjoyment? If you feel like you’re wasting your time, you probably are. Life is short and youth is even shorter, which is why you should make the most of it. To that end, be careful how you spend your time or it will slip away like sand through your fingers. Here’s how to use your time wisely.

Setting Healthy Boundaries: Don’t Be a “Yes” Person

Do you have difficulty saying “no” even though you know you should? How do you get better at saying “no” to things and people that don’t serve you? Many people struggle to say “no” because they don’t want to compromise their relationships. But being a “yes” person won’t get you very far in life. If you are serious about reaching your full potential, don’t be a “yes” person—learn how to set healthy boundaries. Read about the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

Learn Philosophy: Best Blogs, Magazines, & Podcasts

Do we have free will? What does it mean to know something? Do our senses accurately reflect reality? What is reality? What is the difference between the material and the immaterial? What is Self? What is consciousness? Where do thoughts come from? These are all questions that philosophy attempts to answer. However, not many are willing to venture into this dangerous territory—there’s an unfortunate perception that the subject matter of philosophy is too complex, obscure, and impractical. And while ancient philosophical works are indeed often difficult to read, philosophy isn’t just an abstract preoccupation for bored intellectuals. It attempts to