Shortform Books

How to Develop a Business Strategy: Best Advice

Do you want to learn how to develop a business strategy? What factors should you take into account when designing a big-picture strategy for your business? According to Richard P. Rumelt, the author of Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, your business strategy must be designed in such a way so as to capitalize on the key strengths of your organization. Once you’ve identified your strengths, figure out how you can them to increase your competitive advantages. You can do this by leveraging your strengths onto one pivot point, and by pressing your advantages by increasing them, broadening their influence, or increasing

Fear of Writing: What Are You Afraid of?

What causes the fear of writing? How can understanding your fears help you to write more often and succeed creatively? The fear of writing is something many aspiring writers face, whether it’s due to self-doubt, or the prospect of failure. Fear can be a powerful obstacle to achieving your dreams and ambitions, which is why it’s important to understand and overcome them. Find out more about the fear of writing below.

Why Sexual Equality Doesn’t Apply to Sex

Think and Grow Rich: Sexual Transmutation Demystified

Are egalitarianism and sexual desire mutually exclusive? How do they contradict each other? How can we foster sexual equality when the act of sex itself is a power play? According to Esther Perel, the author of Mating in Captivity, egalitarianism and sexual desire are inherently at odds with each other. Egalitarianism is all about fairness and respect, while sexual desire is driven by aggression and power play. However, this doesn’t mean that egalitarianism and desire have to be a balancing act. Here’s what couples therapist Esther Perel has to say about sexual equality.

Causes of Interpersonal Conflict: Why Do We Fight?

What do you think causes interpersonal conflict at a high level? What makes trivial conflicts escalate into full-blown arguments? We all struggle with conflicts, both on a smaller scale—in our businesses and families—and on a grand scale—politically and intergovernmentally. Of course, the causes of interpersonal conflict are varied and wide-ranging. At a high level, however, many of them can all be boiled down to our inability to recognize and acknowledge that we are part of the problem. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes conflict, according to a leading consultant in conflict resolution the Arbinger Institute.

Digestive Cancer: Types, Risk Factors, and Prevention

What are the three different types of digestive cancer? Is there anything you can do to prevent developing digestive cancer? On average, digestive cancer causes 114,000 deaths every year. This includes: colorectal cancer (50,000), 2) pancreatic cancer (46,000), and 3) esophageal cancer (18,000). Luckily, there are a few measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting digestive cancer. Keep reading to learn more about digestive cancers, their main risk factors, survival rates, and prevention.

Job Autonomy: How and When to Ask for It

Do you have job autonomy? If not, what’s the best way to acquire it? Job autonomy is the ability to control what you work on and how you work, including schedule and office space. It’s one of the traits that make a job desirable. The best way to have autonomy is to develop skills that make you invaluable. First, it’s helpful to know how important workplace autonomy is—and when it’s the right time to go for it. Read more to learn how and when to secure job autonomy.

Niagara Falls Syndrome: The Cost of Being Passive

What is Niagara Falls Syndrome? Why do so many people lose control over their lives? Niagara Falls Syndrome is a term coined by self-help guru Tony Robbins, used to describe a person who has no control over their life. If you find yourself passively going wherever the current of life takes you, this article might help. Understand what Niagara Falls Syndrome is so you can avoid becoming passive in your own life. Learn more about Niagara Falls Syndrome below.

8 Tips for Therapists (and Problems to Avoid)

What are the best tips for therapists? What are some common problems you should avoid? From patient engagement, to the structure of a session, to setting feasible expectations, there are many things to consider as a therapist. Knowing some effective tips for therapists can help you navigate this, as well as understanding common issues you might face. Keep reading for the best tips for therapists.

How to Receive Feedback Effectively: 3 Tips

Do you often receive feedback? How do you respond to it? Why do you think feedback is so important? Feedback is an important element of personal and professional development but few people know how to receive feedback effectively. In their book Thanks for the Feedback, communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen provide some actionable tips on how to have a feedback conversation on the receiver’s end. In this article, we’ll look at specifics of how to have a feedback conversation: the general arc of the conversation, and major elements you need to touch upon to be successful.

Brené Brown: The 3 Aspects of Wholehearted Living

What are the three aspects of Brené Brown’s wholehearted living program? Why are love, belonging, and vulnerability essential to living wholeheartedly? In Brené Brown’s lecture The Power of Vulnerability, she discusses the three aspects of wholehearted living: love, belonging, and vulnerability. To Brené Brown, love removes the pressure of adhering to cultural and societal demands, belonging is the desire to be a part of something larger than ourselves, and vulnerability is the willingness to share your authentic self, no matter the consequences. Continue reading to learn about the three aspects of Brené Brown’s wholehearted living.