Are you your own worst enemy? Your inner voice can be a harsh critic, comparing yourself to others and making you feel bad about yourself. When you beat up on yourself too often, it can have terrible long-term effects, sapping your happiness, self-confidence, and self-esteem. To cut down on self-criticism, start by reflecting on past […]
The Secret to Investing in Short-Term Rentals
Money matters are emotional because they’re tied to some of our most deeply held fears and aspirations. But if you want to be a successful investor, you must learn to put those feelings aside when it’s time to make a big decision. This rule is especially important when you’re investing in short-term rental and vacation […]
Raise Your Emotional IQ
With war in the headlines (again), we’re reminded that, at its worst, modern life can feel gray and hopeless. Hopelessness is an emotion that’s caused by difficult life events that are out of your control. But hope is an entirely different animal. In fact, hope isn’t an emotion at all. It’s a way of thinking. […]
Self-help for Pessimists
Have you ever forgotten to pay your phone bill? Or been late for an important meeting? Or misplaced your wallet (or your keys, or your passport…again)? If you’re feeling disorganized and out of sorts, you’re definitely not alone. You need to ask yourself what’s wrong with your life, pinpoint the cause, and figure out how […]
Who is Out to Get You?
In nature, some predators are camouflaged to better hunt their prey. The coloration of owls blends in seamlessly with the trees where they perch, watchful for dinner on the ground below. Green snakes blend into the leafy trees of the rainforest, while brown snakes almost disappear in the dirt. Human predators are the same way. […]
Impossible is a State of Mind
The Olympics, which ended on Sunday, were a good reminder that elite athletes routinely perform extreme feats that most of us consider impossible. Sure, their training schedules are intense. But researchers have found that mental state is just as important as physical ability and discipline to extreme athletes. Think about it: today’s runners can beat a […]
Why You Need to Push Yourself
The human body is constantly evolving. For most of us, modern life has removed the acute stress of threats like predators. Our bodies are no longer optimized for outrunning wooly mammoths. They’re more conditioned for activities like watching TV. When there isn’t an urgent need for survival, our bodies store energy for later use. And […]
Trauma Leaves a Mark
Justin was just six years old when his grandmother died. Abandoned by his parents, the child was left to a cruel man who locked him in a cage with five dogs. Eventually, Justin was rescued, but his insensitive and ill-informed doctors weren’t able to treat his behavioral issues. Developmental psychologist Bruce D. Perry was the […]
Grit. Thrift. Merit. Pride.
These are four of the nine attributes you need to succeed in the United States. Let’s consider these characteristics carefully. Grit is the ability to rebuild yourself after you fail. If you work hard and never give up, you’ll be rewarded—eventually. Patience and persistence are key. Thrift is the wise management of resources. Everyone, including […]
Are You Setting the Wrong Goals?
Most of us spend our lives comparing ourselves to other people. As kids, we’re taught to evaluate ourselves in terms of benchmarks like grades and scores. These ideals are set by the educational system, not kids or parents. Over time, this mindset leads us to embrace society’s definitions of success—money, popularity, or even social media […]
