Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

What Are Sprints in Scrum & How Do They Work?

What are Sprints in Scrum? What are the four phases in a Sprint cycle? A Sprint is the core process within Scrum. Sprints are fixed lengths of time, usually one or two weeks, in which the team works on a particular task or tasks. The key values of the Scrum framework are developed and maintained inside Sprints. Sprints are where the work gets done, where value is created, and where people turn ideas into reality. Here are the four phases of a Sprint cycle.

The Causes of Chronic Stress: It Starts in Childhood

What are the main causes of chronic stress? How can childhood stress lead to diseases later in life? Does personality play a role in development of physical disease? In his book When the Body Says No, Dr. Gabor Maté says that there is a link between chronic stress and physical illness. According to Maté, chronic stress often stems from childhood, meaning that one’s parental nurturing, childhood development, and even personality may contribute to development of certain illnesses later in life. Learn about the ultimate cause of chronic stress, according to Dr. Gabor Maté.

The Major Characters in The Alchemist

Who are the main characters in The Alchemist? What is each character’s significance in the story? The Alchemist is a story of transformation. But rather than transforming lead into gold, Paulo Coelho teaches us, through the story of a shepherd boy who has the courage to follow his dreams, the power of transformation for our lives. Here’s a look at the characters from the story.

The “Oh Crap!” Method for Potty Training Your Child

What is the Oh Crap! method for potty training? How do you begin the potty training journey? In Oh Crap! Potty Training, parenting coach and social worker Jamie Glowacki explains that to effectively potty train your child, all you need is a clear and consistent process that you feel confident about. Her book explores the basics of creating this process and explains how you can personalize it to your child and their needs. Here’s an overview of Glowacki’s potty training method.

Talent Shortages: How to Safeguard Against Them

Are you worried that your business could suffer from talent shortages in the future? What precautions can you take to prepare for potential staffing shortages? Talent shortages are sometimes unavoidable—especially in today’s world. If you’re not prepared, then losing employees could leave your business vulnerable. Here’s a look at the risks that come with talent shortages and how to mitigate them.

The 3 Long-Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma

How can childhood trauma affect a person later in life? What mental health problems can arise? For children who suffer abuse, trauma’s impact on the developing brain tends to create long-term issues. In their book What Happened to You?, Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey mention three broad ways that childhood trauma can impact people in the long-term: 1) mental and physical health issues, 2) flashbacks and triggers, and 3) unrecognized behavioral patterns. Keep reading to learn more about the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.

Scrum Exercises to Help You Understand the Book

Looking to understand Jeff Sutherland’s book Scrum better? How can these Scrum exercises help your team become more efficient? According to software developer and management expert Jeff Sutherland, too much time is spent planning, too much energy is wasted on unimportant tasks, and not enough emphasis is placed on flexibility. That’s why Sutherland created the Scrum Method as a more efficient way to develop products. Here are five Scrum exercises to further your understanding of the Scrum method.

Stress-Related Illnesses: How the Mind Affects the Body

What is a stress-related illness? Can stress really make a person physically sick? Although science treats the mind and the body as separate entities, there’s a strong connection between stress and illness. Dr. Gabor Maté discusses this connection in his book When the Body Says No, explaining the links between peoples’ life histories, psychological profiles, and specific diseases. Here’s a look at some of the stress-related illnesses.

4 Potty Training Problems & How to Overcome Them

What are the most common potty training problems? How can you help your child overcome resistance to potty training? In her book Oh Crap! Potty Training, parenting coach and social worker Jamie Glowacki goes over the four most common potty training problems. Those problems include poop difficulties, night training, resistance, and restarting. Below, we’ll go over the four potty training problems and how to overcome them, according to Glowacki.

How to Hire the Right Person (And Keep Them)

Are you in charge of hiring new employees at work? How do you know you’re hiring the right person for the job? In their book Execution, business leaders Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan provide three steps for choosing the right employee. They also explain how to retain your employees after hiring them by supporting their development. Keep reading to learn how to choose and retain good employees.