What would you say if you could give one last talk before you die? This question was the premise of a lecture series at Carnegie Mellon University, where professors were asked to speak as if it was their last lecture. For most professors, it was just a thought exercise. But for Randy Pausch, a computer […]
The Outcome Mindset
The work-life struggle is real. It’s an unfortunate fact that productivity tends to decrease in relation to how busy we are. It’s hard to set priorities when everything is important. Here’s a trick you can try the next time you’re struggling at work or at home: try to focus on outcomes. Whether you’re creating a […]
Don’t be a Victim
You’ve probably noticed that movies and stories have four main types of characters: the victim, the villain, the hero, and the guide. These are the same roles we tend to play in life. In fact, it’s possible you play all four kinds of characters every single day. What’s important to realize is that the role […]
You Got Game
In competitive sports, an athlete’s mental game is as important as physical prowess. Take golf, for instance. Leading sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella changed the game with his insight that a high confidence level and a calm attitude are the keys to elite play. As with many other sports, golf instructors tend to focus on […]
Battling the Attention Crisis
Modern life has made it increasingly difficult to focus on a single task. We know that brain-powered activities like reading, meditating, and even daydreaming have high value. But be honest: when was the last time you successfully read anything for half an hour without checking your messages? If you feel like your attention span has […]
Looks aren’t Everything
Here’s a sobering statistic: about half of girls between the ages of five and nine wish they were skinnier. Before they’re even old enough to read, these kids are taught that being thin is what it means to be beautiful. Kindergarteners should not be anxious about their weight. Renee Engeln, a psychology professor at Northwestern […]
Do You Trust Yourself?
The ways in which you experience the world—all your perceptions and emotions—feel fundamentally true. But are they? After all, the human brain hasn’t evolved to understand itself perfectly. Its main function is to help you survive. In service of that, your brain isn’t above obscuring the truth, or even telling lies. Consider your emotions. When you’re […]
Can a Post-it Make You Smarter?
Note-taking is an underrated skill. When you have a good system, you don’t have to worry about remembering information later. Writing stuff down frees up your mind to concentrate on the important work of having your own ideas. But notes function as more than just an external hard drive. They can also help you think […]
What Does Your Voice Say About You?
Have you watched Love Is Blind on Netflix? The premise is that men and women date each other through a wall, sight unseen. During the first season, Lauren Speed and Cameron Hamilton got engaged after just five of these dates. They had never met prior to the show, but their voices alone were enough to fall in […]
How to Invest in Yourself
Your personal assets make up your “identity capital.” Think of this capital as more colorful than a resumé and more complicated than a brand. Your identity capital includes all your experiences over a period of time: your education, your job, your hobbies, and even what you post on social media. When you’re at a crossroads […]
