Shortform Books

Identity Pacts: Make a Commitment to Yourself

What are identity pacts from Indistractable? Why is it important to make and keep commitments to yourself? In his book Indistractable, Nir Eyal says that it’s important to make commitments to yourself that will help you stay focused on your goals. Eyal calls these pre-commitments “identity pacts” because they should align with who your want to be and what you want to do. Continye below to learn how to make an identity pact and change your self-image.

How to Harness the Power of Your Subconscious Mind

What is your subconscious mind? How can you engage the power of your subconscious mind to reach your goals? The subconscious mind is the database of all your thoughts, beliefs, impressions, and experiences collected through the five senses. Engage the power of your subconscious mind by practicing positive thinking and having unwavering faith. This will spur the creative imagination you need to succeed. Read more about how to engage the power of your subconscious mind.

The Psychology of Feedback & Relationship Triggers

How do you react to feedback? What factors determine whether you are going to act on the feedback given or dismiss it as unimportant? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, we react to feedback, not because of the content of the feedback itself, but because of who gave it to us and our relationship with them. If we receive feedback from those we like (relationship trigger 1) and who treat us well (relationship trigger 2), we are more likely to heed their insights. Otherwise, we look for ways to disqualify the feedback. In this article, we’ll discuss

The RESPECT Model: Building Employee Engagement

What is the RESPECT model for engagement? Why is respect more important than monetary incentives? In his book Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work, Paul Marciano discusses the RESPECT model for engagement. He breaks down the five directions of respect: respect for the organization, leadership, team members, work, and the individual, and why each one is important. Here is what Marciano had to say about respect in the workplace.

3 Timeless Lessons From the Babylonian Parables

Who wrote the Babylonian Parables? What financial lessons do they contain? Babylonian Parables (from George Clason’s 1926 book The Richest Man in Babylon) are told by a fictional character Arkad, a poor scribe who ended up becoming a successful merchant. The three parables, covered in the final chapter of the book, recount his financial advice through 1) The Gold Lender of Babylon, 2) The Walls of Babylon, and 3) The Camel Trader of Babylon. This article recounts the three Babylonian parables about managing your finances.

Clear Communication in the Workplace: Think Out Loud

How can you achieve clear communication in the workplace? What is the “think out loud” method? Thinking out loud goes against Navy training and culture, which says that, when reporting something up the chain of command, you should say as little as possible. Submarine captain David Marquet threw out this tradition and instituted the “think out loud” method of clear communication in the workplace. It allowed him to keep quiet and let his team do their jobs. Read more to learn about this method of achieving clear communication in the workplace and how it worked for Marquet.

Moral Development in Children: 2 Theories to Consider

What factors contribute to moral development in children? How do kids learn what’s right and what’s wrong? Two schools of thought exist. One view asserts that moral development in children is self-driven—that kids figure it out on their own, through reason. Another perspective is that children learn morality through their society, which accounts for different moral codes in different parts of the world. Read on to learn more about these two theories regarding moral development in children.

The Difference Between Left and Right: Yin/Yang Politics

What’s the difference between left and right politics in America? How are the perspectives and values different? Jonathan Haidt answers these questions in his book The Righteous Mind. He discusses the difference between left and right ideologies from the perspective of moral psychology. He argues that liberals and conservatives have different narratives about the country, and he explains why liberals have a hard time understanding conservatives. Read more to learn about the difference between left and right.

How to Become a Full-Time Artist: Treat It Like a Job

Do you want to know how to become a full-time artist? How can you earn a living from doing what you love? Many aspiring artists want to do what they love full-time, but struggle to make it happen. The key is to treat your passion like a day job, with regular commitment and a focus on productivity and results. Knowing how to do this will help you go from an amateur to a professional. Find out how to become a full-time artist below.

Strategic Goals of an Organization: Management Basics

What’s the main strategic goals of your organization? Are you clear about the direction in which you want to develop your company? According to Richard Rumelt, the author of Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, when it comes to setting big-picture strategic goals of an organization—no matter how large—it’s best to choose one or two narrow goals and abandon other goals that will only serve to spread your resources and focus. Further, don’t mistake growth as a goal: growth is a sign of a healthy company but it’s not a strategic goal in and of itself. Then, choose feasible objectives that you