Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

Social Positive Reinforcement: The Surprising Benefits

What are the benefits of social positive reinforcement in the brain? Why is it easier to achieve goals when you receive social positive reinforcement? According to Steven Kotler, the world’s elite performers are able to achieve seemingly impossible goals thanks to some surprising habits. Kotler’s book, The Art of Impossible, explores the neurobiology behind the success of elite performers and explains why social positive reinforcement is a primary building block for success. Read on to learn the surprising benefits of social positive reinforcement, according to Kotler.

Best Parenting Advice for Raising Confident, Happy Kids

What is the best parenting advice for raising children today? What’s most important to know if you want to raise confident, happy kids? In Unconditional Parenting, author and lecturer Alfie Kohn argues that we should throw away the standard parenting rulebook and replace it with a new approach built on unconditional support, acceptance, and understanding. Kohn’s approach requires rethinking standard parenting, which traditionally emphasizes a system of punishment and rewards when raising children. Read on to learn Kohn’s best parenting advice and why following standard parenting advice might be risky.

How to Define Your Goals: Make Them Meaningful

How can you define your goals to make them actionable? After defining your goals, what next step should you take to achieve them? Goals feel impossible when you see no discernible way to get from where you are to where you want to be. In The Art of Impossible, Steven Kotler draws on extensive neurobiological research to demystify how to define your goals and achieve breakthrough success. Keep reading to learn Kotler’s advice on how to define your goals when you don’t know where to begin.

How to Become a Good Parent: 3 Essential Principles

Want to know how to become a good parent? What are the three principles of great parenting? Author and lecturer Alfie Kohn believes that standard parenting principles are outdated and potentially damaging. To become a good parent, Kohn created his unconditional parenting principles to show parents how to positively discipline and communicate with children. Read on to learn Kohn’s three essential principles for how to become a good parent.

How to Expand Your Knowledge in 25 Minutes

Want to know how to expand your knowledge? What are the benefits of regularly learning new things? Steven Kotler is a bestselling author and award-winning journalist who wrote The Art of Impossible after studying how elite performers achieve extremely difficult goals. To help you expand your knowledge quicker, Kotler reveals the secret habits of elite performers and why they obtain success more often. Read on to learn Kotler’s 25-minute method for expanding your knowledge through a daily routine.

Everything Wrong With Modern-Day Parenting

What are the principles of modern-day parenting? Why are they potentially harmful? What are the alternatives to modern-day parenting? Alfie Kohn wrote his parenting book, Unconditional Parenting, to show readers the pitfalls of modern-day parenting. According to Kohn, modern-day parenting relies on a conditional system of rewards and punishment, which, while convenient, can damage children’s well-being in the long run. Keep reading to find out what’s wrong with modern-day parenting and what Kohn suggests as an alternative.

3 Strategies to Achieve Goals That Seem Impossible

What are the best strategies to achieve seemingly impossible goals? How do elite performers achieve goals we thought were unattainable? Bestselling author Steven Kotler wrote The Art of Impossible after studying how elite performers achieve extremely difficult goals. Through his research, Kotler identified the habits of elite performers and turned them into strategies for achieving goals that seem impossible. Read on to learn Kotler’s three actionable strategies for achieving goals you thought were impossible.

Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting: Overview & Takeaways

What is Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting book about? What are the key takeaways you should know from Kohn’s book? In Unconditional Parenting, Alfie Kohn aims to teach you what kids really need from their parents, why using rewards and punishments doesn’t work in the long term, and what you can do to make your kids feel loved and valued for who they are rather than what they do. While Unconditional Parenting has received mostly positive reviews, some critics have noted issues with Kohn’s advice. Keep reading for an overview of Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn, including the book’s key takeaways.

3 Ways to Stay Motivated That You Can Try Today

What are the most effective ways to stay motivated? How can you stay motivated even when feeling overwhelmed? Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Steven Kotler believes the key to staying motivated involves how your brain functions when under stress. According to Kotler, adopting a positive attitude sustains motivation by generating more “reward chemicals” in the brain. Keep reading to learn Kotler’s three ways to stay motivated by maintaining a positive mindset.

The Importance of Intrinsic Motivation: Neuroscientist Explains

What is the meaning and importance of intrinsic motivation? Why are intrinsically motivated people usually more successful? Neuroscientist and bestselling author Steven Kotler studied elite performers to understand how they achieve seemingly impossible goals. In Kotler’s book, The Art of Impossible, he explains the importance of intrinsic motivation and how it underpins whether you stick with your goals or give up when feeling overwhelmed. Keep reading to learn the importance of intrinsic motivation, according to Kotler.