Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

The 12 Categories of Shame According to Brene Brown

What does shame feel like and why is it so bad? What are the 12 categories of shame? Most of us want wholehearted, meaningful lives. What stops us? In Daring Greatly, Brené Brown suggests that what holds us back the most is the widespread feeling of shame which prevents us from expressing vulnerability necessary for true connection. Further, she identifies 12 categories of shame that fall under three core themes. Read about 12 categories of shame.

Genes and Behavior: What’s the Link?

What is the connection between genes and behavior? Does human behavior have a genetic component? There is certainly a link between genes and behavior, but that doesn’t mean that your genetic make-up defines your personality and determines your destiny in life. Rather, your genetic predispositions determine which opportunities will benefit you the most. Read about the link between genes and behavior.

Message Map: How to Plan Your Perfect Speech

What is a message map? What is its purpose and how do you use it? A message map is a framework for creating a compelling and persuasive message or argument for your target audience. It also serves as an organizational tool to help you conceptualize a message that is cohesive and articulate. Here is how to create a message message map for a talk or a presentation.

Be More Productive: 10 Tips From Robin Sharma

Do you want to be more productive? What can you do to increase your efficiency and make the most out of your day? Simply starting and ending your day well is not enough to stay at the top of your productivity game. To be more productive, you need to be smart about how you organize your working environment and how you time your working periods throughout the whole day. Here are 10 tips to help you be more productive and make the most out of every minute.

Defining Target Market: Know Your Ideal Customer

What is a target market? How can you defining your target market help you reach your ideal customer? A target market is a specific, defined segment of people whom a company targets with its marketing efforts. In other words, defining your target market means defining your ideal customer—the people who have an affinity for the products/services that you offer. Here is how defining your target market can help you propel your sales.

What Causes Shame? How Men and Women Differ

What causes shame? Do men and women experience and respond to shame differently? According to Brene Brown, the author of Daring Greatly, what causes shame in men is different from what causes shame in women. Men feel ashamed when they feel weak and inadequate in some capacity. In contrast, women feel ashamed when they fail to live up to the societal expectations around appearance, femininity, and motherhood. Read about what causes shame in men and women, and how we respond to it.

The Top TED Talks: What’s The Key to Their Popularity?

Do you want to speak like a TED Talk pro? What are some of the top TED talks to learn the art of public speaking? From Bill Gates’ legendary mosquito speech to Jill Taylor’s stroke story, there is a ton of great TED talks out there about pretty much anything you can think of. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, watching the top TED talks is a great place to start. Keep reading for 10 top TED talks of all time.

Understanding the Five-Factor Model of Personality

What is the five-factor model of personality? Do you think your personality influences what you are capable of and who you can become? The five-factor model of personality is a framework that describes individual personality in terms of five dimensions. Your personality doesn’t dictate your destiny, but it does suggest which paths you will most likely gravitate toward and be successful with. Keep reading to learn about the five-factor model of personality.

Start the Day Right With a Productive First Hour

What is it important to start the day right? How does your first hour upon waking up set the tone for the rest of your day? According to Robin Sharma, the author of The 5 AM Club, the first hour after you wake up—your Victory Hours—is your most productive hour of the day. That’s why it’s so important to start the day right because your body and brain are recharged and more capable of focus and creative thought. Read about why it’s important to start the day right, according to Robin Sharma.

The Viking Mentality: Eat or Be Eaten

What does it mean to have a viking mentality? How does it manifest in the person’s character and relationships? Those who adopt the viking mentality are the ones who have power and they exert it through aggression and control. Men make up the majority with this worldview, as men are typically more likely to be socialized to “win or lose,” but women are not immune. Read about the viking mentality and how it manifests.