How to Turn Ideas Into Reality: Why You Can’t “Do” an Idea

A upright light bulb resting on the floor with sparkles around it illustrates how to turn ideas into reality

How can you overcome the gap between generating ideas and actually accomplishing them? What separates ordinary projects from those that truly matter? In his book Start Finishing, Charlie Gilkey explores how to turn ideas into reality through concrete planning and meaningful commitment. He distinguishes between regular projects and authentic projects—work that aligns with your unique talents and creates positive change. Read more to learn about overcoming psychological barriers, intentionally curating your project list, and strategically deciding which endeavors deserve your full attention.

Socioeconomic Status and Success: What’s the Link?

A man in front of a house and a man in front of apartments illustrates the link between socioeconomic status and success

Why do some successful people continue to thrive while others stumble after reaching the top? How does your position on the social ladder affect your chances of achieving and maintaining success? In The Winner Effect, Ian Robertson explores the relationship between socioeconomic status and success. He reveals that high social status not only results from previous achievements but also serves as a powerful catalyst for future accomplishments, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Read more to see how this status-success connection affects you—and learn the hidden dangers of preferential treatment that can derail even the most promising trajectories.

3 Happiness Skills From Vishen Lakhiani: Train Yourself for Joy

A close-up image of a smiling young woman with curly brown hair swooped up illustrates happiness skills

Are you searching for practical ways to find joy in your everyday life? How can you cultivate genuine happiness regardless of your circumstances? In his book The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, Vishen Lakhiani reveals that happiness is not just an emotion but a skill that can be developed. He outlines three essential happiness skills that anyone can practice daily to create lasting contentment and fulfillment. Read on to discover these powerful skills that can help you build a more joyful life, even during challenging times.

How to Make the Most of Shortform: A Guide to Using Shortform

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Thank you for being a Shortform subscriber! Whether you’re new to the app or have been using it for a while, this guide will walk you through the key features that make Shortform a powerful tool for learning and personal growth. Whether you use Shortform via the mobile app or in a web browser, all of the following features and functions apply. We hope this guide answers your questions—but, if you need more help, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach out to our support team in the app or by email.

Productivity Matrix Template: An Easy Guide to Prioritizing Tasks

A woman looking at a wall of sticky notes to create a productivity matrix template

Do you want to create a Productivity Matrix, but don’t know where to start? What types of tasks require you to work harder? In Free to Focus, Michael Hyatt offers a Productivity Matrix that helps you evaluate tasks based on two criteria: interest and skill. Organizing your tasks this way will help you determine how much work is needed to accomplish each task. If you want to create your own Productivity Matrix, keep reading for an easy guide.

Project Resources: Making the Most of Your People & Money

A drawing of a team meeting in an open workspace illustrates project resources

Do you ever worry about not having enough resources to complete an important project? How can you maximize the people and money available to you? In his book Start Finishing, Charlie Gilkey explains that we typically have more project resources than we realize. Overcoming resource barriers involves finding the right supporters and spending your budget where it matters most. Read on to discover how to find four types of people who can help your project succeed and learn strategies for making every dollar count.

Opportunities for Success: Exploring the Snowball Effect

A teenage boy looking at a "HELP WANTED" sign in a store window illustrates opportunities for success

Are you being held back by a lack of opportunities? How can early access to opportunities create a snowball effect for your future success? In his book The Winner Effect, Ian Robertson writes that opportunities for success are events that provide potential for growth when we recognize and act on them. Early opportunities build confidence and connections, while limited access can hinder progress regardless of our abilities or motivation. Read more to understand why some people continue to receive opportunities while others face increasing challenges in recognizing and accessing them.

Why You Should Be Selective About Artistic Influences

A girl looking at a painting on an easel to draw artistic inspiration from

Do you draw inspiration from many artistic influences? Why does Questlove think that you should limit your influences? Questlove, a four-time Grammy winner and The Roots co-founder, writes in his book Creative Quest that you should cut down on the noise and limit your creative influences. He shares two tips on how to select the right ones. Continue reading to learn how to narrow down your influences.

Be Excited About the Future (While Being Content With the Present)

A scale with "PRESENT" and "FUTURE" balanced illustrates how to be content with the present and excited about the future

Are you struggling to balance happiness now with anticipation for tomorrow? How can you create a life where contentment and excitement coexist? In his book The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, Vishen Lakhiani suggests that being happy in the present while remaining excited about the future is the ideal state of being. This balance requires separating your happiness from achievement of major goals. Read on to discover how you can maintain excitement about the future you’re creating while not losing sight of each moment.

5 Factors of Success: How the Winner Effect Sets You Apart

A sketch of silhouettes, with one woman standing apart from the crowd, illustrates the factors of success

What influences success? Why do some people find it easy to go after what they want while others struggle to act? When success finally comes, why do some people thrive while others falter? The journey to achievement involves complex elements that shape our potential. In his book The Winner Effect, Ian Robertson identifies five key factors of success: motivation type, parental influence, opportunity access, biological responses, and social standing. Read on to discover how these interconnected factors might be influencing your own path to success.