Psychology Archives

How to Solve Complex Problems: Embrace Imperfection

How do you approach problem-solving in day-to-day life? What do you do when faced with a complex problem—one that has no obvious solutions? Some daily problems seem impossible to solve—for example, complex optimization problems in which you need to find the optimal arrangement of a set of variables to achieve the best outcome under specific constraints. If you’re trying to purchase the cheapest airline tickets available that get you the most vacation days with good weather or trying to minimize risk in your investment portfolio, you’re solving an optimization problem. Here is how to solve complex problems with no obvious

How Are Habits Formed in the Brain?

What exactly are habits? How are habits formed and why are they so difficult to break? In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains why and how the brain creates habits in order to save mental energy. He details every step of habit formation, from the first time you consciously choose to take any action to how to rewire your brain to replace bad habits. Keep reading to learn how habits are formed in the brain and why they are so difficult to break.

Many Lives Many Masters: Quotes From the Classic

What are some of the most illuminating quotes from the book Many Lives Many Masters? What succinctly captures the main points and themes? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, Many Lives Many Masters is a fascinating account of an experience that changed the lives of both Weiss and his patients. Continue on to read some of the best Many Lives Many Masters quotes and their context.

Stop Dreaming & Take Action to Achieve Your Goals

Do you tend to overthink things when it’s time to take action towards your goals? How do you get over this action paralysis? When faced with the need for action, we too often procrastinate and make excuses. But consistently putting in the effort is how you build the momentum necessary to reach your goals, and momentum is more important than anything else. If you don’t take action to achieve your goals, your risk becoming soft and complacent. Here is why it’s important to take consistent action towards your goals and never stop moving forward.

How to Make Good Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty

How do you make a decision when everything is uncertain? Is there a way to predict the most likely outcome of a decision? One of the biggest obstacles preventing us from making good decisions is our inability to reliably predict the future. For example, it’s easy to decide whether or not to quit your job if you know you’ll get a raise within the next three months. As it is, the uncertain world prevents us from making decisions with confidence. Here is how to make good decisions in the face of uncertainty.

How to Create a New Habit and Make It Stick

Do you want to know how to create a new habit? Why are rewards so crucial in making new habits stick? In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg says that the key to creating new habits is to put a reward system in place. You need your brain to crave that reward, otherwise, the habit won’t stick. Here’s how to create new habits, according to Charles Duhigg.

ACT Therapy Techniques: Expansion

What is the expansion technique? How can practicing expansion help you deal with negative emotions more productively? In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, expansion is a technique that uses our observing self to create space in our body to accept our emotions, rather than fight against them. Once we accommodate these difficult emotions, we can focus on taking meaningful action to improve our lives. Keep reading to learn about the ACT therapy technique of expansion, its benefits, and how to apply it.

The 4 Themes of the Book Many Lives Many Masters

What is the book Many Lives Many Masters about? What are the main themes brought out in its story? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Though Weiss, like many scientists, is a natural skeptic, his experience with this patient convinced him that there are spiritual “Masters” providing help and guidance from beyond the veil. He claims that the Masters shared messages revolving around four major themes. Read on to learn the four themes you can find in the

Many Lives Many Masters: Catherine’s Story

What was the experience of Catherine, who was featured in the book Many Lives Many Masters? What happened during her treatment? In the classic bestseller Many Lives Many Masters, “Catherine” is a pseudonym that Dr. Brian Weiss uses to protect his patient’s real identity. She was in her late 20s when she first came to Weiss seeking treatment for her severe, lifelong phobias—as well as insomnia, recurring nightmares, anxiety, and depression. Keep reading to learn about Catherine and her time with Dr. Weiss.

There Is Nothing Wrong With Being Unhappy

Are humans meant to be happy? What’s wrong with treating happiness as the norm and unhappiness as a problem? There is a tacit assumption in our society that humans are meant to be happy. One consequence of this idea is that there is something wrong with being unhappy or experiencing psychological distress. Here is why there is nothing wrong with being unhappy.