Shortform Books

3 Ways to Improve Cognitive Function Using Your Body

Looking for some ways to improve cognitive function? How can you use your body to improve your cognition? According to Annie Murphy Paul, modern society is at odds with our neurobiology. In her book The Extended Mind, she explains how to improve cognitive function based on the evolutionary methods our brains thrive on—actively engaging with our bodies. Keep reading to learn three ways to improve cognitive function, according to Paul’s methods.

Shonda Rhimes: Year of Yes Quotes to Live By

What are the best Shonda Rhimes quotes from Year of Yes? What can we learn about happiness from these quotes? In Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes breaks down how she turned her life of stress and dissatisfaction into a life of joy and fulfillment. The key was to say yes to everything outside her comfort zone for a whole year. Read below for the best Shonda Rhimes Year of Yes quotes.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: How It Impacts Self-Discipline

What’s the Dunning-Kruger effect? How can it affect your capacity for self-discipline? The Dunning-Kruger effect is a biological tendency that distorts our self-perception, particularly about our ability in a skill. Daniel Walter discusses it in the context of self-discipline. He explains what it is, how it affects our ability to self-discipline, and how to overcome it. Keep reading for an overview of the Dunning-Kruger effect, particularly as it relates to self-discipline.

Mistakes Were Made: Book Overview & Takeaways

What is the book Mistakes Were Made about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson argue that we self-justify to relieve cognitive dissonance. This is the discomfort triggered when we do things that don’t align with other beliefs, actions, and values. Read below for a brief overview of the Mistakes Were Made book.

Shortform Reads: A Journey From the Magic & Mythical to the Absurd

What’s the catch in Catch-22? What’s a dinkus? How do Shortform book guides generate a more well-rounded appeal than basic summaries do? Hannah could tell you. Based in North Carolina, she’s a book guide writer at Shortform. We interviewed her recently to learn a bit about the books she reads in her free time.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Business Philosophy Explained

What kind of company is Berkshire Hathaway? What is Berkshire Hathaway’s business philosophy? Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational holding company run by Warren Buffett. Buffett takes the time to explain the reasoning and philosophies behind everything he does as Berkshire’s CEO so that his shareholders can fully understand the company that they own. Keep reading to learn about Berkshire Hathaway’s business philosophy.

Should You Invest in Bonds?: Every Investor’s Dilemma

Should you invest in bonds? How do bonds compare to stocks in terms of return on investment? Historically, bonds have generated significantly lower returns than equity investments, or stocks: Annual returns on bonds have been 5.3% since 1900, while annual returns on stocks have been 9.5%. Despite that, the founder of the Vanguard Group Jack Bogle argues that bonds do belong in your portfolio. Here’s why you should invest in bonds, according to Bogle.

Thinking Habits: How Thoughts Become Hardwired

What are thinking habits? How do thoughts become habitual? Just like physical habits, we can develop thinking habits. When you think the same thought over and over again, it literally becomes hardwired into your brain thanks to neuroplasticity⁠—the brain’s capacity to change in response to stimuli. Here’s how thinking habits form, according to Joe Dispenza.

Team Topologies: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What are team topologies? How do you know how much work to assign to a team? How can you set teams up for success? Team Topologies, by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais, is a manual for restructuring your organization’s approach to software design. The authors recommend four types of teams and discuss various modes of interaction among teams that help them function effectively. Keep reading for our Team Topologies book overview, including an exercise to help you put the principles into action.

Productivity Systems: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Are you struggling to stay on top of all your tasks and responsibilities? What’s the best way to streamline your to-do list so you can tackle your workload more effectively and efficiently? If you want to feel in control of your life and on top of your to-do list, you need a system. Having a productivity system allows you to determine how to tackle an item when it lands in front of you rather than waiting until you’re up against a deadline. Here are three productivity systems to help you take control of your time and workload.