Why You Should Live Life According to Your Values
Psychologists describe two types of motivation:
(1) internal motivation—when we do things for the love of the game, because it is personally meaningful and reflects who we are.
(2) external motivation—when we do things in order...
What Mentally Strong People Do On Tough Days
We all have emergency plans. If the electricity goes out, there’s a stockpile of flashlights, batteries and candles. But what happens when your mood fails? What’s your bad day backup plan? It’s a question...
WHY “BE YOURSELF” IS TERRIBLE ADVICE
Self-knowledge is tricky business and often misconstrued. For instance, saying, “I know myself, and I don’t like outdoor festivals” is less about self-knowledge and more about preference.
And preference can get in the way of...
Asking Questions Makes You Look Smarter
I learned a lot in medical school. How to prescribe the right antibiotic to combat a bacterial infection, how to approach a combative patient, how to diagnose appendicitis, how to tell the difference between...
Handmade: Worth Its Weight in Gold
People are willing to pay as much as 17% more for a handmade item over its machine-made counterpart, studies show, be it a ceramic mug, a bar of scented soap or a carved rocking...
That Personal Touch: A Scientific Reason to Monogram Your Shirt
I teased a friend for buying NikeiD custom sneakers. “What’s the point?” I asked. Why pay extra to personalize a pair of running shoes? “Customized shoes won’t make you run any faster.”
Actually, they could....