Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

Habits of Success: Progress Slowly but Surely

Do your habits help or hinder your progress towards your goals? What are some things you could do on a consistent basis to get closer to your goal? A habit is an action repeated over time until it becomes automatic. Good habits that create your desired results are crucial for success because when completed consistently, they automatically get you closer to achieving your goals over time. In this article, we’ll explore the science of creating habits of success.

Psycho-Cybernetics: Review, Context, Critical Reception

Is Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho-Cybernetics worth reading? How can applying Maxwell’s cybernetic principles help you realign your behavior for success? Psycho-Cybernetics is based on the theory that your mind functions according to cybernetic principles—you can program your mind to achieve success and happiness in the same way that you’d program a machine to achieve the results that you want. Maltz suggests a number of methods to help you to consciously: raise awareness of your current self-image, release your limitations, build your self-confidence, and increase your ability to achieve success. This Psycho-Cybernetics review covers the book’s context, background, and critical reception by

How to Program Your Mind for Success

Is it possible to condition yourself for success? How can you make yourself act in ways that are conducive to your goals? According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, your mind works similar to a machine. Therefore, he argues, you can program yourself to act in a goal-oriented way—the key is to learn to use your imagination constructively. In this article, we’ll explore how to program your mind for success, according to Maltz.

Expect the Best: Belief Unfolds Opportunity

Do you consider yourself an optimistic person? Do you always bank on the best possible outcome even if all odds are against you? The basic factor of succeeding in anything is learning to believe it’s possible. William James summed it up with this famous quote: “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures a successful outcome.” Here is how expecting the best can actually draw the best to you.

Understanding Leadership in Egalitarian Cultures

How to Embrace Vulnerability in Leadership

What is an egalitarian culture? How does egalitarianism manifest in leadership? In an egalitarian culture, the power distance is low. In other words, everybody is equal—even in the workplace. Members of egalitarian cultures are also more likely to act on their own and ask for forgiveness instead of permission. Keep reading to learn about the key characteristics of egalitarian cultures and how they develop.

How to Plan Your Goals: The 2 Steps to Success

Do you want to know how to plan your goals and follow through? What do you think is the main obstacle? Most people have at least some idea of the goals they want to achieve. The challenge comes in creating a realistic and actionable plan on which they can follow through. In his book The Sligh Edge, Jeff Olson lays out a two-step process for planning your goals: 1) design a representation of your goal, and 2) create a blueprint for carrying it out. We’ll explore both of these principles below.

Erin Meyer: Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures

How does time perception differ across cultures? What are the two types of cultural time perception? Time isn’t a fixed item—it is a concept, and each culture conceptualizes time differently. In her book The Culture Map, cultural expert Erin Meyer divides the methods of perceiving time into two overarching types: linear-time (aka monochronic) and flexible-time (aka polychronic). In this article, we’ll explain the difference between monochronic and polychronic cultures and present some strategies you can use when working with people who perceive time differently than you do.

Self-Image: The Psychology of Self-Perception

What exactly is self-image? Do you think your self-image accurately reflects who you are and what you are capable of? Your self-image is the mental image you hold about yourself. According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, your self-image is not an accurate reflection of who you are. It’s simply a construct of thoughts you chose to think about past experiences. In this article, we’ll look at the psychology of self-image: what influences it, and how it affects your ability to succeed and experience happiness.

Deductive vs. Inductive Thinking: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between deductive vs. inductive thinking? Which cultures tend to adopt either style of thinking? Deductive thinking moves from broad, overarching principles to specific observations. In contrast, inductive thinking moves from specific data points to overarching hypotheses or theories. According to cultural communication expert Erin Meyer, Latin Americans tend to be deductive thinkers, whereas North Americans and people from Anglo-Saxon countries tend towards inductive thinking. In this article, we’ll consider the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning in a cultural context.

The Key Characteristics of Hierarchical Cultures

What is a hierarchical culture? How do hierarchical cultures approach leadership? In a hierarchical culture, the power distance is high. In other words, your rank matters. In some hierarchical cultures (notably, Asian), respect is a two-way street. It is not just the subordinate’s duty to obey. Rather, the boss is responsible for the success and well-being of his employees. He is often viewed as a paternalistic figure. Keep reading to learn about the key characteristics of hierarchical cultures and how they develop.