If you’re plagued by worry—and who isn’t these days—one way to neutralize your fear is to accept the worst-case scenario and plan from there. Most of our worst fears will never come true. But if you accept the possibility that bad things can happen, your most persistent worries will likely loosen their grip. Planning for […]
Feeling Anxious? Here’s How to Reframe.
Giving a presentation can be nerve-wracking. But if you think about it, nervousness and enthusiasm are quite similar emotional states. The primary difference is that anxiety has negative associations, whereas excitement seems more positive. As a negative emotional state, anxiety can quickly escalate and spiral out of control. The brain begins to imagine different scenarios […]
The Secret to Aging Well
Telomeres are a hot topic among health and wellness researchers. Telomeres are cap-like structures at the end of each chromosome that have the capacity to accelerate or decelerate the aging process, depending on your lifestyle choices. Diet, sleep hygiene, and exercise all play a role. Telomeres shorten as we age, with longer telomeres indicating good health, and […]
How to Play the Game
As research for his book Tools of Titans, self-help guru Tim Ferriss interviewed hundreds of world-class performers to learn about the habits, tools, and tactics they used to become successful. One of the themes that emerged from these interviews was that all problems in life should be tackled with a two-pronged strategy, involving both offensive and […]
The Upside to Upending Your Routine
Distraction and change can be beneficial, even under difficult circumstances. Amid the global upheaval caused by the novel coronavirus, many of us are dealing with more distraction and change than usual. A small silver lining: the disruption might help develop your capacity for creative thinking and innovation. Changing plans, working in different environments, and negotiating general […]
Make the Leap
It’s better to jump than to be pushed. At some point in life, everyone experiences a nagging feeling that something in their life needs to change. Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s a relationship. Steve Harvey, the comedian and television personality, says that if you aren’t proactive in making that change, the universe is likely to […]
Are You a Team Player?
Coach Bill Campbell was one of the most valuable players in the history of Silicon Valley, working behind the scenes to create trillions of dollars of value for companies like Apple and Google. But he was content to stay out of the spotlight after retiring as a football coach for the Columbia Lions. Campbell’s selflessness […]
Emotions Are a Type of Information
Emotions are a powerful navigational tool that can help you make better decisions under challenging circumstances. While strong negative emotions like anger and grief may feel overwhelming, your inner life is a valuable source of information. If you can learn to analyze your emotions without feeling overwhelmed, you’ll cultivate an emotional agility that will make […]
Creating the Right Incentives
Sometimes competitive compensation isn’t enough. Motivation isn’t just a matter of money. Everyone wants to feel as though their work has meaning that goes beyond their compensation. When your daily grind feels meaningful, you’ll usually be more productive—especially when you take pleasure in the work. But when the work feels meaningless and empty, your productivity […]
How to Cultivate Resilience
Accepting fate is better than fighting it. Philosophy is more than just old ideas printed in textbooks. It is a discipline that you can practice daily. The Stoic philosophy, for instance, helps people build discipline, fortitude, and resilience. Practicing Stoicism can help you make objective decisions faster and more accurately. Stoics accept reality. They strive to perceive the world […]
