Psychology Archives

The Law of Addition: Great Leaders Lead by Serving

What is the Law of Addition? Do you think a leader’s motivations matter? Is the end result more important than whatever happened to achieve it? The Law of Addition is the fifth law of leadership in John C. Maxwell’s book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The Law of Addition states that a truly great leader leads by adding value and serving others rather than climbing the ranks. Keep reading to learn about the Law of Addition plus some real-world examples of its application.

The Benefits of Solitude: Being Alone Is Good for You

Why is it important to take some time to be alone? What are the psychological benefits of solitude? Many people resist staying alone with their thoughts because it makes them uncomfortable or under-stimulated. However, there are significant psychological benefits of solitude which our culture tends to overlook because we place such a high value on connectivity. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of solitude.

Everyday Mindfulness: 6 Simple Ways to Practice It

How to Visualize the Life You Want to Have in 3 Steps

Do you want to deepen your mindfulness meditation practice? What are some ways you can integrate mindfulness into your everyday life? The ultimate goal of meditation is to be present in every waking moment, extending mindfulness into everyday life. Sitting meditation is merely practice for this ultimate goal, instilling new habits. The following exercises will help you to develop everyday mindfulness, extending it beyond your formal meditation practice.

Meditation Practice Basics: Everything You Need

Do you want to start a regular meditation practice? What are some tips that can help you get started? If you are serious about starting a regular meditation practice, it’s best to set up a structure. If you create a routine that is feasible for you to follow consistently, you are more likely to stick with it and reap significant benefits. Below are some guidelines that can help you structure your meditation practice and overcome the common hurdles.

The Law of Influence: The True Measure of a Leader

What is the Law of Influence? How does influence relate to leadership? What do you think is more important in leadership—influence or rank? The Law of Influence is the second law of leadership from John C. Maxwell. This law states that the true measure of leadership is the level of influence the leader has over their subordinates as opposed to their rank, position, or income. Read about the Law of Influence and some real-world examples of its application.

Wu Wei: The Taoist Practice of Non-Action

What does it mean to take non-action? Why should you never try to force things to happen before the universe is ready? An important lesson in the Tao Te Ching is practicing wu wei, or non-action. When we observe instead of act, it opens us up to a whole new world of possibilities. We must also learn to let go of ambition and the need for external validation because earthly pleasures only act as distractions from finding true fulfillment. Keep reading to learn more about non-action in Taoism.

The State of Mindfulness Goes Beyond Thought

What does it feel like to be in the state of mindfulness? And how is mindfulness different from concentration? The state of mindfulness is by nature challenging to describe with words. Contrary to what some people think, mindfulness and concentration are very different states of mind. Concentration is achieved through willpower. Mindfulness, on the other hand, cannot be cultivated through struggle. Keep reading the learn about the characteristics of the state of mindfulness and how it differs from concentration.

The Tiny Habits Method: Small Steps, Big Changes

What is the Tiny Habits Method? How do you put together a Tiny Habits recipe? The Tiny Habits Method consists of putting together daily, ten-second habits that set you up to accomplish big habits later. The Tiny Habits recipe goes something like this: “After (blank)…I will (blank)… And I will celebrate by (blank).” It’s an easy recipe to follow and can lead to big changes. Continue on to learn how you can integrate the Tiny Habits Method into your life.

The Law of Respect: People Follow Strength

What is the Law of Respect? What does it take to earn respect as a leader? The Law of Respect is the seventh law of leadership put forward by John C. Maxwell. It is natural to follow someone you see as stronger than you. If the leader is deemed weaker in some way, they won’t be as respected and people don’t follow people they don’t respect. Keep reading to learn about Maxwell’s Law of Respect.

Incentive and Reward: What’s the Difference?

Are incentives and rewards the same thing? What is the key difference between the two concepts? Incentives and rewards are often used interchangeably, however, they are not the same thing. Incentives are ways to encourage a particular behavior with benefits that can appear in the future. In contrast, a reward needs to occur either while the behavior is happening or very shortly afterward. The difference is timing. Keep reading for a more thorough analysis on the difference between incentive and reward.