Shortform Books

What Is Motivated Reasoning? Steven Pinker Explains

What is motivated reasoning? Why is it important to be able to recognize it in yourself and others? Humans, despite our intelligence and ingenuity, often behave irrationally. Steven Pinker explains that people frequently fall victim to cognitive blunders that lead them down an irrational path. One of these blunders is motivated reasoning. Continue reading Pinker’s advice on how you can overcome this tendency and think more rationally about your choices.

How to Handle Unconscious Desires by Practicing Existential Kink

Why do unconscious desires create negative patterns? What’s an existential kink? According to Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, people tend to repress desires that they’re ashamed of. But, repressing desires doesn’t get rid of them; they just turn into negative habits. Ironically, the only way to destroy these habits is to fully embrace the desires behind them. Keep reading to learn how unconscious desires manifest and to find the number one solution to dissolving them.

How to Break Up With Someone Without Hurting Them: 4 Tips

Are you in a relationship that needs to end? How can you break up with someone without hurting them? Even if your partner is a good person, sometimes relationships fizzle out. As long as you end things gently and with kindness, you shouldn’t have to worry about your partner holding a grudge toward you. This is how to break up with someone without hurting them so you can both move on.

How to Measure Employee Engagement With 2 Meaningful Metrics

What’s the difference between job satisfaction and workplace satisfaction? Why are both so important? Employee experience expert Russ Laraway says that employee engagement is at an all-time low and that ineffective management is the culprit. He explains what employee engagement means and how to measure it in a meaningful way that helps managers know how to draw the best out of their employees. Keep reading to learn how to measure employee engagement and, as a result, measure your effectiveness as a manager.

The Bigger Leaner Stronger Diet: Calories in, Calories Out

What’s the best diet to lose fat and build muscle? Which matters more—how much you eat or what you eat? In Bigger Leaner Stronger, Michael Matthews argues that you can get the physique you want without a trendy diet or a brutal workout. All it takes is a simple and scientific approach to nutrition and exercise. He advocates flexible dieting—a diet that allows you to lose fat, gain muscle, and eat the foods you love. Read more to learn about the Bigger Leaner Stronger diet and its “calories in, calories out” approach.

The 1980s Savings and Loan Crisis: An Investor’s Solution

What was the 1980s savings and loan crisis? How did Salomon Brothers and Lewis Ranieri navigate this crisis? Right on the cusp of the 1980s, the savings and loan industry suffered a shock that threatened to stop the housing market in its tracks. In Liar’s Poker, Michael Lewis says that instead of backing out of the mortgage bond business, Salomon Brothers dove head-first into the market, turning the US government’s plan to bail out local banks into a way to funnel money to itself. Continue reading to learn more about how the investment bank took advantage of the savings and

Importance of Gratitude in Leadership (+ How to Practice It)

How to Use the Law of Gratitude to Attract Wealth

Do you show your employees that you appreciate them? Why is it important to practice gratitude in leadership? The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership argues that effective leaders must practice gratitude. This involves being grateful for everything that comes your way and accepting gratitude from others. Keep reading to learn how to practice gratitude daily.

How to Start Living a Healthy Lifestyle: 3 Changes to Make Today

Are you a participant in today’s productivity culture? Are you ready to step off the treadmill and get a real life? In Do Nothing, Celeste Headlee argues that, by trying to do too much, people are working less efficiently and suffering professionally and personally. She shares several tips for changing the way we work and making space in our life for leisure and human connection. Keep reading for Headlee’s advice on how to start living a healthy lifestyle.

Red Flags in Interviews for Candidates and Interviewers

What are some common red flags in interviews? What should candidates and interviewers be on the lookout for during an interview? Interviews can be intimidating to sit down for. Candidates might be interviewing for a company they’ll spend years working at, and interviewers are making a major change by hiring a new employee. If either spots a red flag that seems concerning, they should take note and possibly take action. Below are major red flags in interviews that both candidates and interviewers shouldn’t ignore during the process.

How to Slow Down in Life: 4 Ways to Enjoy the Little Moments

Do you always feel rushed? What are some ways to slow down in life? Life goes by quicker than you expect. One minute you’re catching up with friends on the phone, and the next minute your entire day has ended. But there are solutions to feeling like life is passing by too quickly. Let’s look at how to slow down in life and why we tend to rush through it.