There’s a particular kind of mental math we all do, usually without realizing it. We add up achievements, subtract failures, and calculate whether we’re worthy of respect, love, or even basic self-acceptance. The equation feels logical: land the dream job = valuable person. Write the perfect book = deserve happiness. Get 500 likes = temporarily … Read More
In my book Tiny Experiments, I used Amelia Earhart as an example of a life lived through experimentation and adventure. Her willingness to try new things perfectly captured the spirit I wanted to encourage in readers. To my surprise, some people pushed back: “She’s a terrible example,” they effectively said. “She was just a publicity … Read More
Here’s one of my favorite quotes: “I am not a writer. I’ve been fooling myself and other people.” This comes from the diary of John Steinbeck, who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature. This kind of intellectual self-doubt is common among high achievers. The smarter they are, the more acutely they seem to question … Read More
Plans fall apart. Flights get canceled. People let us down. And we often react automatically: irritation, anxiety, disappointment. But sometimes, we succeed in stepping back and reinterpret what’s happening, and suddenly it all feels much more manageable. That shift doesn’t mean you’re ignoring reality or pretending things are fine. It means you’re seeing the same … Read More
The anxiety-curiosity switch is the process of redirecting the mental energy that causes creative paralysis into curiosity-driven exploration.
Many studies show the positive impact immersion in nature can have on your mental health. How can we go about getting these benefits when living in an urban environment?
As the end of the year settles in, you might notice a distinct downshift in energy, both in yourself and the world around you. Messages flood in about “finishing strong”, yet everything feels like it’s naturally winding down. It’s not just your imagination: large-scale industry surveys suggest that by mid-December, over half of workers report … Read More
Growing up, many of us are taught to fight off our fears—to be strong and confident, to cast away our doubts and insecurities. As adults, fear becomes something we feel we have to carry alone, afraid to share it because it might make us seem weak. This is especially true for business leaders. Fear can … Read More
Have you ever found yourself saying yes to something, even when deep down you knew you didn’t have the time or energy? Many of us struggle with setting boundaries. It can feel like we’re stuck on a “Yes Autopilot”, automatically agreeing to requests without fully considering the consequences. Over time, this can leave us feeling … Read More
We spend a lot of time worrying. About work, money, friends, family, the future. For most people, it’s not the kind of paralyzing worry that prevents us from getting anything done. It’s more akin to background noise which we can be pretty good at ignoring. But it’s still there. It makes it harder than we’d … Read More