Shortform Books

The Habit of Procrastination: An Enemy of Self-Discipline

Do you have a tendency to put things off when they need to be done? Has this become a habit for you? Humans struggle with self-discipline. As a result, we fail to reach our goals. One culprit is the biological tendency to procrastinate. When the tendency becomes a habit, we dig the hole even deeper. But, Daniel Walter offers two practical suggestions for climbing out of this hole. Read more to learn about how the habit of procrastination works against you and your ability to self-discipline—and how to fight back against this force.

How to Listen to Your Body for Improved Cognition

What does it mean to listen to your body? How does listening to your body improve your cognitive skills? According to Annie Murphy Paul’s book The Extended Mind, actively engaging with your body means learning how to listen to your body’s subconscious knowledge. Paul argues that listening to your body unlocks a more expansive way of thinking. Read on to learn how to listen to your body to improve your cognitive skills, according to Paul.

How Myths Are Created & Used: Roland Barthes on Mythmaking

Is there a myth behind children’s toys? What symbolic meaning does the Jeep brand carry? According to Roland Barthes, myths occur when society’s dominant institutions imbue an image, object, or phrase with meaning. Because myths are used to shape society, he believes it’s important to understand how myths are created and how they function. Keep reading for Barthes’s ideas on mythmaking.

Gen Z Goes Minimal: How Gen Z Reframes Financial Prosperity

How do generations differ in how they think about success? Does financial prosperity mean the same thing to Gen Z as it does to Millennials? The way Gen Z views life differs significantly from Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. While some parents are holding their heads in worry that their kids are eschewing tradition, a closer look at Gen Z’s objectives and motives reveals that they really make a lot of sense. Keep reading to learn more about how Gen Z is reframing the wealth and success conversation, including lessons that any generation can apply. How Gen Z Reframes the

The 5 Benefits of Creative Thinking & Why It’s Important

Do you want to be more innovative? What are the benefits of creative thinking? Creative thinking isn’t limited to just musicians, writers, and other artists. Creativity is a valuable tool for anyone to have in everyday life. When you stimulate your creative genius, you discover innovative ideas and find alternative solutions to problems. Here are some of the benefits you’ll receive when you begin thinking creatively.

3 Ways to Reduce Cognitive Dissonance (+ Why It Happens)

What is cognitive dissonance? What are the most common ways to reduce cognitive dissonance? In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson explain that cognitive dissonance is a psychological state of having inconsistent thoughts and attitudes. This state is often uncomfortable for people, so they try to seek out ways to reduce cognitive dissonance. Let’s look at how people seek comforting thoughts through three psychological processes.

How Warren Buffett’s Investment Advice Goes Against the Grain

What is Warren Buffett’s approach to investing? What are the key pieces of Warren Buffett’s investment advice investors should take on board? Warren Buffett’s investment approach goes against the grain of many financial professionals’. Buffett himself points out where his views and those of other investors disagree. Three specific points of contention are Efficient Market Theory, diversified portfolios, and the supposed value of financial advisers. Keep reading to learn about the underpinnings of Warren Buffett’s approach to investing and how it differs from conventional practices.

Should You Invest in Mutual Funds?

Should you invest in mutual funds? Can actively managed mutual funds beat index funds? Index funds have consistently outperformed the majority of mutual funds since 1970. However, advocates of mutual funds argue that it only shows index funds are better than the average mutual fund. Here’s why index funds will always outperform mutual funds in the long run, according to Jack Bogle.

How to Change Your Past With Quantum Entanglement

Can you change your past? How can you utilize the principle of quantum entanglement to influence your past and your future? According to Joe Dispenza, the past, present, and future are all connected by the principle of quantum entanglement. When two particles become entangled, whatever is done to one particle is done to the other, no matter how far apart they are in space. It’s the same with the present and the past. Here’s how you can change your past and future by changing your present using quantum entanglement.

Inverse Conway Maneuver: A Focus on Tech Team Design

What’s Conway’s Law? What’s an inverse Conway maneuver, and how can it help your teams succeed? Conway’s Law states that a piece of software’s architecture mimics the structure of the team that produced it. Based on this, software engineers Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais advocate an approach to software development that they call an inverse Conway maneuver. Continue reading to learn about designing tech teams according to Conway’s Law.