Shortform Books

Jordan Peterson: Stories Help Us Decipher Our Big World

How do we create our very first stories? Are we born as blank slates, or is there a “collective unconscious” as psychologist Carl Jung suggested? Jordan Peterson’s answer to these questions is “yes and no.” We’re born with the mental problem-solving process as part of how our brains biologically function, but we learn our first stories by watching our parents. According to Jordan Peterson, stories help us figure out the world. Keep reading to learn how.

13 Books About Procrastination to Increase Productivity

Do you have a bad habit of procrastinating? What are some books about procrastination to help you get to work? Procrastination is a hard habit to overcome and can interfere with your personal and professional life. If you want to get more work done without getting distracted, you should check out these 13 books on procrastination. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best productivity books that you shouldn’t put off reading.

Americans Are Lonelier Than Ever: Why?

Why are Americans lonelier now more than ever before? What factors contribute to loneliness? How can you combat loneliness or find positives in solitude? Americans are spending less time with friends, and they report being lonelier than ever—these feelings of loneliness can be particularly acute during the holidays. However, simply going out more may not be the answer. Read on to learn more about why Americans are so lonely and tips for coping with loneliness.

Think First Before You Act: Meeting Challenges Like a Stoic

Do you think first before you act, or do you react in emotion? How might you think more objectively about something that’s happening to you? Stoicism emphasizes calm dignity and inner strength—that you don’t let anything upset or excite you so you can bring reason to bear in every situation. Epictetus teaches how to meet challenges with quiet rationality—to think first before you act. Read more to learn how to adopt this Stoic practice of rational action.

Preparing for Publication: The Final Steps Before Letting Go

What are the final stages of the writing process? How do you know when your piece is ready for publication? In Everybody Writes, Ann Handley offers a comprehensive guide to writing everything you need to write in today’s business world. The book’s main focus is on writing for marketing purposes, but many of the principles can be applied to other types of writing as well. Keep reading for Handley’s advice on your third and fourth drafts and your final edits as you prepare for publication.

Get Rich Fast: Is There a Shortcut to Wealth?

Is there a shortcut to wealth? What’s the secret to getting really rich really fast? According to entrepreneur and investor MJ DeMarco, there’s no shortcut to wealth. In order to build massive wealth, you must create massive value, which takes a lot of time, creativity, and other resources. Here’s why trying to get rich fast by pursuing get-rich-quick schemes won’t get you closer to acquiring wealth, according to DeMarco.

How to Create a Good Company Culture: Jodie Fox’s Advice

Want to know how to create a good company culture? Why is it important? How do business experts recommend strengthening company culture? The book Reboot explores the rise and fall of Jodie Fox’s global business Shoes of Prey. In the book, Fox offers an honest look into her successes and failures as an entrepreneur, and she specifically offers advice on how to create a good company culture and why it’s so important. Keep reading to learn how to create a good company culture, according to Fox’s advice.

Why Is Salt So Valuable? Looking Back at the Salt Trade

Why is salt so valuable? What is the history of the salt trade? According to Salt by Mark Kurlansky, salt was one of the first commodities traded over vast distances. This is because, at one point, salt was precious and humans needed it to survive. Keep reading to learn why salt’s value was—and still is—extremely high.

How to Build Trust in the Workplace: 3 Proven Methods

Do you feel disconnected from your employees? How do you build trust in the workplace? If you want to build trust in the workplace, you need to follow Judith Glaser’s advice in her book Conversational Intelligence. She says that you first need to identify your conversational blind spots, then take control of the conversation yourself. For more details on how to build trust in the workplace, keep reading.

Narrative Coaching: Marcia Reynolds on Stories & Identity

What is narrative coaching? Why is it important to disrupt the narrative in coaching? In Coach the Person, Not the Problem, Marcia Reynolds claims that lasting change only will come when people confront the narrative that’s living inside them. According to her, narrative coaching helps to disrupt misguided beliefs and personal values. Keep reading to learn more about narrative coaching, according to Reynolds.