There was a time not so long ago when having more than one voice in your head would lead to a psychiatric diagnosis. Sick of the prevailing theory that each person has one, unified mind, therapist Richard Schwartz is pioneering a different model. He says that we all have multiple “sub-minds” that are always in […]
The 6 materials that shape our world
As the great Madonna once said, we are living in a material world. The materials that really matter, however, are not the diamonds and money that the pop star sang about. In fact, our civilization is shaped by just six humble materials: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. Supply and Demand Following these six […]
Who is driving your decisions?
A lot of our decisions from day to day happen when our brains are on autopilot. This is a feature of evolution that helps us, say, drive to work without having to think about it too hard. But the same human instincts can lead us to make bad decisions. A little extra awareness will help you […]
What parents just don’t understand
Did you know that some New York City parents hire consultants for preschool admissions? The culture around academic achievement in America starts at a very young age — and it’s stressing kids out. Our latest Instaread looks at what families should be doing to prioritize children’s well being. Parents Need to Lay Off Childhood has […]
These 5 things shape everything
Our five senses determine how we experience everything. So when Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, wanted to better understand other people and herself, she began to research how sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste shape our relationship to the world. Blast from the Past Most adults vividly remember experiences from ages 15 to 25. That […]
The consensus trap
We’ve all heard of urban myths. But are you familiar with collective illusions? They happen when a vocal minority misrepresents and misleads the majority’s opinions, and they’re very easy to buy into. How can we combat this common problem? Breaking the Spell Journalism has a role in breaking apart collective illusions, but it can also […]
Embrace your inner perfectionist
Are you a recovering perfectionist? That isn’t a flaw that needs correcting. Perfectionism is actually a powerful energy that can be harnessed for positive change. In our latest Instaread, we look at therapist and researcher Katherine Morgan Schafler’s ideas about how to leverage perfectionist traits for personal growth. Find Perspective Problem-solving is a great skill. […]
How fighter pilots make good decisions
Fighter pilots have to be able to make split-second decisions. While they have a very specialized set of skills, it turns out that making good choices under pressure is something that everyone can use. Our latest Instaread offers many helpful techniques developed by the elite US Air Force pilot Hasard Lee. Split-Second Decisions Assess. Choose. […]
Do more, feel better 😃
Struggling with the demands of being a doctor, Ali Abdaal was burning out. He realized that he needed to feel better, not work harder, and his philosophy of “feel-good productivity” was born. Our latest Instaread shares some practical tips. Better Goal Setting You’ve probably heard of SMART goal setting: making your targets specific, measurable, attainable, […]
How to manage anxiety 😅
Anxiety is not a sign of weakness. It’s a common experience that many people have, but hide out of shame. Suffering in silence doesn’t help anyone, and often makes things worse. Let’s look at some practical strategies for coping with anxiety and preventing panic attacks. Lean In It may sound counterintuitive, but stop resisting your […]
