Shortform Books

What Is Digital Minimalism? Cal Newport’s Perspective

What is digital minimalism? How can adopting the lifestyle of digital minimalism help you connect with your values and live a happier, calmer, and more fulfilling life? Digital minimalism is a term introduced by Cal Newport in his book “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.” But what is digital minimalism exactly and how do you put it into practice? In this article, we will provide a brief overview of what digital minimalism is and discuss the central principles of this philosophy.

History of Fast Food: McDonald’s and More

What is the history of fast food? How did fast food become a part of our daily lives? The history of fast food shows how defining fast food is as a culture. From early beginnings in Southern California, fast food grew exponentially. Read more about the history of fast food below.

What Is the Tea Party? The Rising Opposition

What is the Tea Party? How did the movement start and how did it grow? The Tea Party movement started as a backlash to President Obama’s liberal policies, particularly the healthcare reform bill. As the Tea Party gained steam, it became acceptable in other Republican circles. Read more about the Tea Party and how it started.

The Law of Explosive Growth: Leading Leaders

What is the Law of Explosive Growth? What can you, as a leader, do to push your business to the next level and make it succeed at increasingly higher levels? The Law of Explosive Growth is the second-to-last of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. This law states that effective leaders look beyond themselves by developing leadership qualities in others. If you are not encouraging leadership in your subordinates, you are limiting your company’s potential for growth. Keep reading to learn about the Law of Explosive Growth by John C. Maxwell.

Meditation Practice Basics: Everything You Need

Do you want to start a regular meditation practice? What are some tips that can help you get started? If you are serious about starting a regular meditation practice, it’s best to set up a structure. If you create a routine that is feasible for you to follow consistently, you are more likely to stick with it and reap significant benefits. Below are some guidelines that can help you structure your meditation practice and overcome the common hurdles.

Hurricane Katrina and Obama: Reaction & Response

What happened with Hurricane Katrina and Obama? How did the government’s response inspire Obama to run for President? Hurricane Katrina and Obama have an interesting connection. Obama, a Senator at the time, was so disgusted by the government’s response to Katrina that he was determined to do something to make change. Read more about Hurricane Katrina and Obama, and how it inspired him to run for President.

The Law of Influence: The True Measure of a Leader

What is the Law of Influence? How does influence relate to leadership? What do you think is more important in leadership—influence or rank? The Law of Influence is the second law of leadership from John C. Maxwell. This law states that the true measure of leadership is the level of influence the leader has over their subordinates as opposed to their rank, position, or income. Read about the Law of Influence and some real-world examples of its application.

The Rick Santelli Rant and the Politics of Resentment

What was the Rick Santelli rant about? How did it affect Obama’s strategy in the 2008 financial crisis? Rick Santelli’s rant happened when Santelli, a conservative commentator, went on CNBC and complained about relief programs for struggling homeowners. It proved that wealthy CEOs saw themselves as the victims of the crisis, not the creators. Read more about Rick Santelli’s rant and what happened.

Wu Wei: The Taoist Practice of Non-Action

What does it mean to take non-action? Why should you never try to force things to happen before the universe is ready? An important lesson in the Tao Te Ching is practicing wu wei, or non-action. When we observe instead of act, it opens us up to a whole new world of possibilities. We must also learn to let go of ambition and the need for external validation because earthly pleasures only act as distractions from finding true fulfillment. Keep reading to learn more about non-action in Taoism.

Digital Minimalism Book Overview: Disconnecting

What is Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism book about? What are some ways you can cut back on your use of digital communication technology without compromising your relationships? In his book Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport applies the lifestyle concept of minimalism to the use of technology. Drawing on a wide range of real-life examples, Newport discusses the common practices of digital minimalists and distills the central principles that underpin them. Here is a brief overview of Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.