Fear is a powerful motivator, but one thing that fear can’t fuel is creative projects. Nothing will mute or silence your creative instincts quite like the fear of failure. And it can be difficult for high achievers in particular to let go of the exacting standards they adhere to in their work. According to author Elizabeth […]
Food for Thought: The Mindless Mishap that Unraveled Brian Wansink’s Bestseller
Is there any story more delicious than a proud man’s fall from grace? Discredited food psychologist Brian Wansink, a Cornell professor and formerly the head of the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and promotion, built his career by fanning the flames of public interest in his gimmicky food lab projects. As a frequent fixture in […]
How to Formulate a Battle Plan
Military strategy isn’t just for wars. It’s also a useful set of tools that can help us face life’s more mundane challenges, like meeting an ambitious sales quota. To win any battle, you’ll need more than positive affirmations and good instincts, according to self-help guru Robert Greene. The key to success is methodical planning. In THE […]
Insights on Mindset The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, written by psychology researcher Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., uncovers the differences between two core mindsets, the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. Through analysis of research and real-life accounts, Dweck examines the two mindsets and discusses why one, the growth mindset, tends to lead to a more successful and […]
The Art of Perfect Timing
As any athlete knows, it is difficult, if not impossible, to overcome an early disadvantage. In WHEN, author Daniel Pink writes about how perfect timing is often a matter of optimizing the beginning, middle, and end of projects. One of Pink’s most important observations is that getting off to a bad start is likely to […]
What to Do When You Can’t Relate
When you find it difficult to connect with someone, try to see the world from their point of view. Empathy is easy enough in theory. But in practice, the act of imagining the world through someone else’s eyes doesn’t always come naturally. Usually, the more distant and different a person’s life is from your own, the […]
Four Styles of Self-Improvement
Self-help books are a surprisingly diverse genre, with styles to suit almost any personality. That means that what works for someone else may not work for you, so endorsements from friends and magazines aren’t necessarily very helpful. Too often people invest a lot of time in attempting a lifestyle makeover without determining if it truly […]
Get the Life You Want in 365 Days or Less
Goal-setting requires at least one lofty dream, but it’s a surprisingly precise science. Experts say it’s not enough to just decide to work toward a promotion or save for a new car. Big goals need to be conceptualized down to the last detail, an elaborate act of imagination that makes it easier to form a […]
Going Gluten-Free: A half-baked idea?
Ten years ago, if anyone even thought to hold the bun on their burger orders, it was to cut carbs, not because they were worried about the harmful effects of gluten. But even fast food restaurants are adding lettuce-wrapped options to their menus these days. How did gluten — the protein that gives wheat products […]
