Sigmund Freud’s influence in the field of psychology is perhaps only matched by his power over the popular imagination. But Freud’s theories have been around for so long that it’s hard to separate what he said from how it’s been interpreted over the last century. Is a cigar ever really a cigar? Get back to basics with […]
Get to the Top of Your Game
You’ve done your homework. You always come prepared to assess the situation and do what it takes to succeed. But what if your training were so ingrained that you could act on sheer instinct? That’s what training at the top can do for you. Authored by the elite athletic trainer who took Michael Jordan to […]
This Magic Moment
What’s on your mind this weekend? Many of us are still thinking about the events of the past week. Or perhaps your mind has already turned to everything you need to do at work on Monday. Spiritual guru Eckhart Tolle has some advice that will change your life (or at least your Sunday): let go […]
The World is…Flat?
It’s rare to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer argue that the world is flat. But that’s exactly what Thomas L. Friedman has done, observing the “flatness” of a global market that lets developing countries complete and collaborate with developed nations. Tracing the phenomenon of globalization all the way back to Christopher Columbus, our Instaread on […]
A Field Guide to Extinction
They ruled the planet for 150 million years. And then they were just…gone. Millions of years later, the traces of these giant reptiles—their strange skeletons, with teeth the size of railroad spikes—still inspire a powerful sense of awe. Our Instaread on Steve Brussate’s THE RISE AND FALL OF THE DINOSAURS captures the current state of […]
Weekend Wisdom: T-Minus 5
What’s more difficult, breaking a bad habit or trying something new? Even successful people sometimes find themselves stuck in a rut. All too often, we spend too much time wallowing in fears and worrying about changes, and too little time acting actually working on our goals. Instead of agonizing over decisions or procrastinating, try the […]
Saving Face Time
It’s no secret: office meetings usually inspire dread. They’re long, boring, and interrupt workflows for an entire team. Worse, they’re often a source of confusion. Employees can easily leave an hour-long gathering with no clear understanding of what the meeting was about, or what the boss expects. That’s why Jason Fried and David Heinemeier […]
Activate Your Creativity
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 […]
Choosing Ease Over Excellence
Customer service is hard to get right. When customers have a terrific experience, they might mention it to a few friends. But research shows that negative experiences tend to stand out more in people’s minds—and those unhappy campers have tools like Yelp and Twitter to amplify their grievances. Authors Matthew Dixon, Nick Toman, and Rick […]
