How to Recover Your Lost Creativity, Ideas, Desires, & Dreams

A cartoon of someone writing in a notebook with creative hobbies surrounding them.

Do you have unfulfilled dreams? Did your creativity get squashed at some point? Julia Cameron says it’s not too late to reconnect to your inner artist and find what’s been lost—creativity, dreams, and desires. These elements are all still inside you somewhere, and she encourages you to go after them. Continue reading to learn how to reconnect to your creativity and recover what’s been lost.

How to Be More Motivated: 4 Techniques From Dr. Julie Smith

A woman reading a book and refusing to get motivated as she's surrounded by piles of papers.

Do you lack motivation to do what needs to be done every day? Are you so overwhelmed you don’t know how or where to start? Motivation is a feeling, so it naturally ebbs and flows. Dr. Julie Smith writes that it’s important to treat it as such and, therefore, not let it get the best of you. In her book Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, she shares four techniques that can help you overcome a lack of motivation. Keep reading for Smith’s practical advice on how to be more motivated and do what you need to do.

The Motivation Chemical: How Dopamine Drives and Rewards You

A cartoon of two people affection by the motivation chemical to run after a giant trophy.

Why is dopamine known as the motivation chemical? How does dopamine influence our thinking? Dopamine is called the motivation chemical because it inspires us to think about and focus on future happiness and work towards something. By looking more closely at how this neurotransmitter works, you can understand why you’re motivated in the ways that you are. Consider these explanations of how dopamine works and how it influences motivation.

Your Inner Artist: 5 Steps to Tap Into It (Julia Cameron)

A man surrounded by gears as he unleashes his inner artist.

How is artistry a spiritual practice? What, exactly, is art? Is there any untapped creativity inside you? In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron asserts that your inner artist is your deeper creative self that contains your seemingly crazy ideas, raw emotions, dreams, desires, and so on. This is a conduit for the creative force. The more intimate you are with this self, the more creative and artistically guided you’ll be. Keep reading to learn Cameron’s five-step process for connecting with your inner artist.

Believe in Your Abilities: 3 Ways to Foster a Sense of Positive Belief

A superhero doing a pose and looking in the mirror to believe in her abilities.

What’s your destiny? Are you holding onto things that are holding you back? Are you failing to embrace the things that will move you forward? In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron argues that belief is a cornerstone in maximizing your creative potential and achieving your artistic destiny. She shares three tips that can help you believe in your abilities and potential: trust the process, embrace and detach, and nourish yourself. Continue reading to get the details of her advice.

Discipline Is a Muscle: Exercising Your Brain and Willpower

An image of a brain lifting weights that symbolizes that discipline is a muscle.

How is discipline like a muscle? How can you maintain discipline through exercise? In The Science of Self-Discipline, Peter Hollins says discipline is a muscle that you can develop and strengthen over time. But like any other muscle, over-exercising discipline can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Continue reading to learn more about why discipline is similar to a muscle.

How to Gain Self-Discipline With Emotional & Logical Tools

A person running up a hill as they gain self-discipline.

Do you give in to impulsive behavior? Do you know how to gain self-discipline? Peter Hollins, the author of The Science of Self-Discipline, has a variety of internal strategies to improve your discipline in the long run. By becoming more self-disciplined, you’ll be able to endure the distractions life throws at you and steadily progress toward your goals. Let’s look at how to gain self-discipline with these emotional and logical tools.

The Importance of Purpose in Life (+ How to Find Yours)

The Importance of Purpose in Life (+ How to Find Yours)

What’s the importance of purpose in life? How does a purpose maximize human performance? In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness argue that purpose is crucial for exceeding our limits. They contend that having a purpose that goes beyond our interests is essential to maximizing performance because such purposes help us overcome our perceived psychological limitations. Let’s look at why everyone should have a purpose they strive to achieve.