Does the phrase wake up early make you want to curl up and sleep some more? If you feel the word morning has too much a.m. associated with it, you’re not alone. After spending more than half my life a night owl, I slowly transitioned to being an early bird—a lark. Not to sound too … Read more
Instead of minding our own businesses, why do we “waste” time discussing others’ comings and goings? Shouldn’t we be solving the hard problem of consciousness instead of commenting on Lady Gaga’s red carpet appearance (she literally seemed to have worn the red carpet instead of just walking on one) at the last Presidential inauguration? Read … Read more
While not an official health condition, Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) can inflict significant pain and remorse. But like with most other health conditions, an ounce of prevention here is worth a pound of cure. Alisha stops by five times on her way to the park to pick up fallen twigs and flowers and once to … Read more
What do foxes and hedgehogs have to do with skills and happiness? And while we’re in the mood to ask questions, what (or who) on earth are specialized generalists? Trust me, it is worth knowing the answers to these questions. You’ll see why… Let’s start with a Greek parable. In the translated words of the … Read more
I’d like to start this article on how to adopt a proven corporate productivity tool, “working in sprints,” to fuel personal growth, with this disclaimer. If you have one (or both) of the items listed below, then this article may not be very useful to you: Unlimited resources Unlimited time For the rest of us, … Read more
After an hour of doomscrolling on my phone, I switched gears to doomscroll on Netflix, instead. That’s when I stopped to watch a documentary (mockumentary?) on the power of affirmations. I saw folks claiming to have transitioned from genuinely desperate situations—serious emotional, financial, or relationship troubles—into becoming happy, thriving individuals. They attributed the change in … Read more
The fastest, guaranteed way to go from being happy and contented to becoming miserable and gloomy is by comparing yourself to others. So why do we indulge in such comparisons, and how do we rid ourselves of this tendency? Let’s start with an incident from 1995—a bank robbery that led to a critical behavioral psychology … Read more
I’ve experimented with various techniques over the years to build good habits. Given I’m nowhere near perfection, let’s say not all methods worked well—the reviews are mixed. I’ve since then discovered the power of habit-streaks. It’s no wonder I’m a fan. I reckon you should be too. Hear me out… Allow me to brag I … Read more
Sometimes I wish I could lay down on the couch and read. For a few years. It’s no secret I like to read. I used to be able to read anything and everything. And I’d usually persist to the end regardless of whether I liked the book or not—sunk cost fallacy in action. Sunk costs … Read more
You may have many reasons for not pursuing your dreams and ambitions. Holding back for fear of criticism, though, is probably the dumbest of them all. Understanding how to take criticism well is a critical (pun intended) life skill. Read more to find out why. And while at it, why not learn how to be … Read more
What is nothingness? What does our brain do when it’s actually not focused on something? Why does our mind wander, and why should we even care? The answer to all these questions is in your head — or, to be more specific, in your Default Mode Network. Neuroscientists business Neuroscientists like to put people under … Read more
Do you feel like an unmotivated blob sometimes? I certainly do. I bet every one of us, even Jim Rohn, had his share of blue days. This article discusses seven ways on how you can get yourself out of a funk. Laziness: Being incredibly motivated to do nothing December is here. At least in the … Read more
Why do we always think of the perfect comeback after the fact? What stops us from being the Smart Alecks we believe we are (in our minds)? Newsflash: We aren’t as good at thinking on our feet as we’d like to be. This article has seven tips on how to change that. The Wrong Guy … Read more
Robert Watson Watt, a British physicist, gave the world the cult of the imperfect. It’s a philosophy we would all do well to adopt. Watts said, ‘Always strive to give the military the third-best because the best is impossible and the second best is always too late.’ Watt reiterated Voltaire’s earlier pronouncements that perfect is … Read more
What do a few top researchers, at least six bestselling authors*, umpteen media articles and blog posts, Ben Franklin, I, and now you have in common (I added you to the list, assuming you are here because of the title)? Answer: An interest in pondering whether practice makes perfect. *Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers), Angela Duckworth (Grit), … Read more
That patience is a virtue is a lesson we’ve all been taught. Unfortunately, our current cultural context makes it difficult to practice patience. Try surfing the internet on a dial-up modem, if you don’t believe me. And if you haven’t seen a dial-up modem in your life or don’t understand what that is, you probably … Read more
Newsflash: We humans are not always rational decision-makers. We make some questionable economic (and other) choices, because, in Nobel prize-winning Professor Thaler’s words, ‘We are humans, not econs’. We operate in a world of sales pitches and marketing traps. To avoid severe buyer’s remorse, we would be well served to understand three fundamental concepts in … Read more
This article continues the discussion on how to set achievable New Year’s resolutions. In my earlier post here, I tried to impress upon you why New Year’s resolutions matter, what goal setting means, and how to set SMART goals. If you think I’m crazy for even attempting to make New Year’s resolutions because they are … Read more
A 1988 research study by researchers at the University of Scranton showed only 19% of people who made New Year’s resolutions stuck to their goals. A 2007 University of Bristol study by professor Richard Weisman showed a 12% success rate in achieving New year’s goals. More recently, a 2018 study showed only 4% of respondents … Read more
If you are keen on personal growth, you need to take unqualified personal responsibility for your behavior and actions AND adopt an internal locus of control. I understand I’m stepping into the dare-zone with this talk of personal responsibility. I hope you will too by the end of this article. First things first, though. Personal … Read more