Shortform Books

How to Keep Digital Distractions at Bay

Are digital distractions keeping you from getting things done? What can you do to keep digital distractions at bay? Digital distractions are pervasive—no wonder, they are so hard to control. In his book Hyperfocus, productivity expert Chris Bailey shares several ways to limit digital distractions: controlling your physical and digital environments, delegating your devices to specific tasks, disconnecting at times, and disabling notifications. Here are some helpful strategies to help you keep digital distractions at bay.

What Is Hyperfocus, and Why Does It Matter?

What is hyperfocus? What difference can it make in your life? Productivity expert Chris Bailey suggests that you can be your most productive self through hyperfocus, that is, focusing on a single task at a time. You become less distractible, and you work more efficiently. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of hyperfocus.

Are We Living in a Quick-Fix Society?

Do you tend to rely on quick fixes when faced with a problem? Or do you try to root out the core, underlying issue? There’s little argument that we live in a quick-fix society focused on attaining immediate results at the expense of future losses. We’d rather take a pill to avoid the pain now than put efforts towards identifying and rooting out its underlying cause. While quick-fix solutions are alluring and convenient, they don’t solve the underlying problem. Further, they often exacerbate it in the long term. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of relying on quick fixes.

Is Time Travel Theoretically Possible?

Can you build a time machine? Is time travel theoretically possible? Writers of science fiction have long contemplated the idea of a time machine: a device that allows you to travel forward or backward in time to any point in history or the future. Stephen Hawking asserts that this possibility will probably always be relegated to the realm of fiction, based on his analysis of relevant scientific theories. His analysis focuses on two possibilities: moving backwards through time directly, or passing through a “wormhole” in spacetime that connects the present to the past. Read more to learn about the concept

The Bullet Journal Index Page: What You Need to Know

What is a bullet journal index page? How do you set it up, and what is it used for? In his book The Bullet Journal Method, Ryder Carroll explains everything you need to know about the bullet journal index page. Essentially, the index page helps you find specific pages in your journal quickly. Here’s how to set up and use your index page.

How to Let Your Mind Wander: 3 Simple Techniques

Is mind-wandering bad for you? What are the benefits of intentional mind-wandering? In his book Hyperfocus, productivity expert Chris Bailey explains how to let your mind wander for rest and productivity. He recommends three techniques for this practice and discusses when, how long, and how often you should do it. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of mind-wandering and how to do it effectively.

Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More

What is Chris Bailey’s Hyperfocus about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In a world full of distractions, most modern-day knowledge workers believe that the secret to productivity lies in your ability to manage your time. In 2018’s Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More, productivity expert Chris Bailey presents an alternate hypothesis: The key to becoming the most productive, creative version of yourself lies not in managing your time, but in managing your attention. Here’s our review of Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More by Chris Bailey.

The Secret to Finding Balance in Life

Do you often feel like you’re being pulled in different directions but don’t have the time and/or energy to attend to everything? What is the key to finding balance in life? Most people’s biggest source of dissatisfaction and unhappiness in life is the imbalance they feel between their different roles and responsibilities. Many people feel their work demands so much of them that there aren’t enough hours in the day to give adequate time, energy, and attention to their families. Or they’re just barely keeping up with family and work, but have no personal time for their own rest and

What Is the Singularity Theory in Physics?

What is the singularity theory? Why did Hawking come to question his theory of Big Bang singularity? Hawking’s mathematical proof that space and time had a beginning, according to general relativity, was what first propelled him to fame within the physics community. Later, reflecting on his own theoretical proof about the big bang singularity, Hawking came to believe that they imply the theory of general relativity is incomplete, not that the universe actually did begin at a singularity. Read more to learn about the singularity theory and why Hawking came to believe that it indicates a problem.

The Benefits of Meditation for Focus & Concentration

Do you find it difficult to sustain focus? How can meditation help you take control of your attention? Part of the practice of hyperfocus is focusing on a task for a set period of time, which can be hard to do. Meditation and mindfulness can help. They improve the quality of your attention in three ways: training you to focus longer, warding off distractions, and helping you to direct your attention more often. Learn about the benefits of meditation for focus and concentration.