Psychology Archives

Autotelic Personality: Traits and Characteristics

How do you know if you have an autotelic personality? What does personality have to do with entering a flow state? If you’re naturally inclined toward finding flow in everyday experiences, you have an autotelic personality. If you’re an autotetic, you likely habitually do these four things 1) observe the environment around you, 2) set goals, 3) concentrate deeply on what you’re doing, and 4) enjoy a wide variety of experiences. Keep reading to learn what personality has to do with flow.

Brené Brown’s Guidepost #10: The Importance of Fun

Why is it so important to laugh, sing, and dance? How can you overcome the feelings of self-consciousness that come with public displays of enjoyment? In the book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown says that making time to laugh, sing, and dance is the final guidepost to living Wholeheartedly. The importance of fun shouldn’t be overlooked, partaking in these activities can have a significant impact on your life. Continue reading to learn about the importance of fun and how to overcome the fear of embarrassment.

The Psychology of Conflict: Biases and Mindsets

What do we know of the psychology of conflict? What do you think causes interpersonal conflict at a high level? According to the Arbinger Institute—a leading consultant in conflict resolution, mindset change, and leadership training since 1979—conflict arises when the parties’ biases prevent them from seeing a situation clearly. Specifically, being biased blinds one to the fact that they are part of the problem. In this article, we’ll first take a look at four biases that Arbinger says prevent us from seeing the true causes of conflicts, and then discuss two conflict resolution mindsets.

Everyday Anxiety: How to Worry Less and Live More

Do you often find yourself stuck on small everyday worries and annoyances that just wouldn’t go away? How can you break free of this everyday anxiety? Everyday anxiety has the power to take over your thoughts and emotionally exhaust you. Reframe the way you think about your day-to-day worries to take away their negative power. Here are six ways to get a handle on generalized anxiety.

Cognitive Closure: Avoid This Trap in Setting Goals

What is cognitive closure? How can it get in the way of productive goals? Cognitive closure can cause you to set goals that are quick and easy to complete instead of goals that help you achieve more. Use stretch and SMART goals together to overcome this trap, set productive goals, and get more done. Read more to learn about cognitive closure and how it impacts goal setting.

Inner Flow: Sense as a Gateway to Optimal Experience

How can you find your inner flow by embracing your senses? Why is seeing one of the most overlooked ways to induce your inner flow? In Csikszentmihalyi’s book Flow, he discusses how to enter a flow state solely by using your senses. Things like eating, listening to music, and even looking at art can help you enter a state of inner flow. Here’s how you can reach a flow state by embracing your senses.

The Anatomy of Peace: Quotes by the Arbinger Institute

Are you looking for The Anatomy of Peace quotes by the Arbinger Institute? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In The Anatomy of Peace, the Arbinger Institute offers an outward-focused perspective on interpersonal conflict. Conflicts, the Institute explains, arise when a lifetime of self-deception—of mentally re-framing events until they justify our actions—leads to a twisted worldview in which we see others as obstacles, rather than people. Here are some quotes and passages highlighting the book’s key concepts and ideas.

Dale Carnegie: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

What is Dale Carnegie’s How To Stop Worrying and Start Living about? Can it help you decrease your tendency to worry? In How To Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie offers timeless advice for stopping worry from ruling your life. He discusses how to cultivate a worry-free mindset and explores ways to work through common worry triggers. Here is a brief overview of How To Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie.

Maintaining Focus: How Cognitive Tunneling Derails You

Is maintaining focus a challenge for you throughout the day? Do you know what cognitive tunneling is and how it impacts your ability to focus? If you’ve ever been interrupted by a ringing phone, you’ve experienced cognitive tunneling. It’s an impediment to maintaining focus and staying on task. Ultimately, your productivity suffers. Read more to understand cognitive tunneling and the importance of maintaining focus.

Turning Trauma Into an Optimal Experience

Is it possible to turn a challenge or trauma into an optimal experience? What are the three components of transformational coping? Transformational coping—or the ability to turn a stressful situation into a non-stressful one (or even into an optimal experience) is a special skill to have. And even if you can’t do it yourself, just admiring people with these abilities can improve your life. Keep reading to learn about how to deal with challenges and trauma in your life.