What Do You Want Out of Life? A Novel Approach to Success

A drawing of a man standing on a rock pile and looking up at the sky illustrates the question What do you want out of life?

What do you want out of life? How can you align your desires with your authentic self? Discovering what you want out of life is a journey of self-exploration and experimentation. Ozan Varol’s book Awaken Your Genius includes insights on defining personal success and pursuing unconventional paths. Also, career coach Paul Millerd provides a real-world example of this sort of approach to success. Continue reading to learn how you can uncover your unique definition of success and create a life that resonates with your true self.

5 Anti-Charisma Cues to Avoid (Vanessa Van Edwards)

An annoyed man wearing a denim buttoned shirt and crossing his arms illustrates nonverbal cues associated with anti-charisma

Do you have charisma—or anti-charisma? What subtle cues might be sabotaging your charm without you even realizing it? In Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, Vanessa Van Edwards lays out the concept of anti-charisma. She identifies several verbal and nonverbal signals that can undermine your charm and offers practical alternatives to enhance your presence. Keep reading to explore the world of anti-charisma and discover how to become a more magnetic communicator.

Meditation & Neuroplasticity: The Case for Altered Traits

A woman with her eyes closed while neurons are firing in her brain depicts the link between meditation and neuroplasticity

Is your brain more adaptable than you think? Can meditation really change your fundamental traits? Meditation and neuroplasticity are closely linked, offering exciting possibilities for personal growth. Psychologists Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson contend that our brains can change in response to mental training, potentially altering our basic characteristics. Read on to explore how meditation can reshape your brain and transform your life, from the book Altered Traits.

Finding Your Genius: How to Embody Your True Self

A woman looking through a magnifying glass to see her reflection in a mirror illustrates finding your genius

What’s your genius? What makes you special and unique in this world? In Awaken Your Genius, Ozan Varol explores the concept of embodying your true self. He argues that connecting with your authentic desires and talents is key to living a fulfilling life. Varol offers insights on overcoming societal pressures and rediscovering your innate creativity. Read more to uncover Varol’s techniques for rekindling your distinctiveness and becoming who you really are.

How Technology Affects Our Brains: Maps, Clocks, & the Web

A woman leaning on a chalkboard with drawings of a brain and various technologies depicts how technology affects our brains

Is technology reshaping our cognitive landscape? How might our digital habits be altering the way we think and process information? The evolution of technology has profoundly impacted our brains. From maps and clocks to the internet, each new tool shapes our perception and mental processes. In The Shallows, Nicholas Carr explores the concept of neuroplasticity and how our online activities are rewiring our neural pathways. Keep reading to understand how technology affects our brains and what it means for our future.

Mingyur Rinpoche’s Brain: The Effects of Long-Term Meditation

A Tibetan yogi seen from the back meditating in the mountains illustrates the effects of long-term meditation

What does long-term meditation do to your brain? Can it really change who you are as a person? Yogi Mingyur Rinpoche’s brain scans reveal fascinating insights into the effects of long-term meditation. Scientists have found evidence of increased brain activity, improved brain health, and enhanced emotional regulation in meditation masters. Keep reading to discover how a dedicated meditation practice can lead to profound changes in your mental and emotional states.

How Charismatic Are You? Find Yourself on the Charisma Spectrum

A man resting his chin in his hand and looking upward is thinking about the question, "How charismatic are you?"

How charismatic are you? Can you tell when someone else is charismatic? Charisma is a fascinating blend of warmth and competence. It’s a quality that can be measured and improved. In her book Cues, Vanessa Van Edwards explores this concept in depth, offering insights into how we judge others and project our own charisma. Read on to understand Van Edwards’s charisma spectrum and discover where you might fall on it.

How Internet Reading Moves Us From the Depths to the Shallows

A bearded man engaged in internet reading on a laptop at a desk with a mobile phone and a cup of coffee

Is the internet changing the way we read? How does online reading affect our ability to concentrate? Internet reading has transformed our habits and cognitive processes. Nicholas Carr explores this shift in his book The Shallows. He examines how deep reading, once encouraged by printed books, is being replaced by skimming and shallow engagement online. Read more to get Carr’s insights and discover how our digital habits are reshaping our minds and media consumption.

Meditation Research: Foundations, Mistakes, & Myths

A man in a white button-up shirt sitting at a desk thoughtfully looking at meditation research data on a computer screen

What are some of the issues with meditation research? Should we believe all the hype? Meditation research is a rapidly growing field, but it faces unique challenges. Scientists are working to understand how different forms of meditation affect the brain and behavior. They’re also trying to develop better ways to measure these effects. Let’s explore the foundations of meditation research, common misconceptions, and why it’s important to approach claims about meditation with a critical eye.

The Internet and Memory: How the Web Erodes Our Retention

A man trying to remember something with question marks over his head illustrates the link between the internet and memory

Is the internet affecting your ability to remember information? How does online reading impact your memory retention? Nicholas Carr explores the relationship between the internet and memory in his book The Shallows, explaining how the rapid pace of online content consumption can overload our mental processes. He argues that skimming text online reduces our engagement and ability to retain information. Read more to get the details of how the internet impacts our memory.