Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

How Asking People for Help Can Lead You to Career Success

Are you hesitant to ask people for help at work? What about reaching out to people who are working in a company or a field that you aspire to? In the process of writing his book The Third Door, Alex Banayan discovered something over and over: To become successful, you need to reach out to others for help. He shares what he learned about this from entrepreneur Elliott Bisnow and director Steven Spielberg. Read on to learn why it’s important to tap into the expertise and connections of others.

How to Enjoy the Health Benefits of Aquatic Activities

Why are activities in and around water so satisfying? What are the health benefits of aquatic activities, and how can you take advantage of them? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state, which he calls the Blue Mind state. He explains how people can benefit from swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, and boating. Continue reading to learn about several ways you can enjoy aquatic activities and reap their benefits.

How to Deliver a Speech: Classic Advice From Dale Carnegie

What message do you send when you open a speech with an apology? Should you speak conversationally, or is that too informal? In Public Speaking for Success, Dale Carnegie shares practical tips on how to deliver a powerful speech. Specifically, he discusses how to start strong, get and hold your audience’s attention, and close in a memorable way without dragging things out. Keep reading to learn how to deliver a speech that will leave an impact.

Warren Buffett: ROE, Owner Earnings, Profit Margins, & $1

How does Warren Buffet determine whether a company is financially sound? What’s his “one-dollar test”? If you want to figure out whether a company is on solid financial ground, here’s what you need to evaluate, according to Warren Buffett: ROE (return on equity), owner earnings, profit margins, and the “one-dollar test.” Robert G. Hagstrom discusses Buffett’s analysis of these factors in The Warren Buffett Way. Continue reading to learn how Buffett assesses a company’s finances before deciding whether to invest in it.

What Is the Spillover Effect? Unintended Consequences of Scale

What is the spillover effect? How does it impact your ability to scale an idea? In The Voltage Effect, economist and professor John A. List provides advice on how to figure out if a particular idea will scale. In order to do this effectively, you must understand the spillover effect, recognize it when it’s happening, and manage it well. Read more to learn how to deal with the unintended consequences of scaling your idea.

Why the Filibuster Should Be Abolished: It Fuels Polarization

What’s the filibuster in the US Senate? Should the filibuster be abolished? In Why We’re Polarized, American progressive journalist, political commentator, and podcaster Ezra Klein explains why the filibuster should be abolished. He thinks the rule is abused and contributes to political polarization. Keep reading to understand why Klein believes it’s time for the filibuster to go and why not everyone agrees with his analysis.

Should You Follow Your Passion? A Tribe of Mentors Weighs In

Should you follow your passion? How important is it to have a career that excites you? Should your vocation be central to your identity? In Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss shares input from experts in various fields to address these critical career questions. Together, their advice can help you think through the questions and settle on the answers that are the right ones for you and your path in life. Keep reading for insights on whether you should follow your passion.

“Blue Mind” Meaning: The Mental State That Water Creates

What does “Blue Mind” mean? How is it different from “Red Mind”? What contributes to these mental states? When you feel serene sitting at the beach, watching the waves, you’re likely experiencing Blue Mind. In his book Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state, which he calls the Blue Mind state. Read more to understand Blue Mind’s meaning and why such a phenomenon exists.

How to Be Persistent (Without Crossing the Line)

When does persistence go too far and become harassment? How might you be persistent in an appropriate and measured way? Alex Banayan wrote his book The Third Door to share what he learned from interviewing several wildly successful people about their paths toward getting ahead in life. In the process of writing it, he found that persistence (even his own) was important—and that it’s possible to take it too far. Read more to learn how to be persistent without crossing the line, with advice that Banayan learned from inventor Dean Kamen and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

What Philip Arthur Fisher Taught Warren Buffett About Investing

Beyond its financial statements, what indicates a company’s health? How can you evaluate the subjective qualities of a company? If you learn investing from Warren Buffett, you indirectly learn a vital principle from Philip Arthur Fisher. Fisher taught that, when you consider whether to invest in a company, you must look beyond its quantitative factors; you must also assess its qualitative factors such as its potential and management. Keep reading to discover what Warren Buffett learned from Philip Arthur Fisher.