Self-Improvement Archives

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday: Overview & Takeaways

What do Stoics believe? Perhaps more importantly, how do they live on a day-to-day basis? The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman is presented as a daily devotional to share insights from the ancient Stoic philosophers on how to live a good life. They explain that Stoicism isn’t merely a set of beliefs—it’s a way of life. Read more for our overview of The Daily Stoic, including an exercise designed to help you put Stoic principles into practice today.

7 Strategies to Make a Good Pitch (Get to the Point)

4 Steps to Improve Sales Processes and Revenues

What is a good pitch? How can you powerfully pitch your point? A good pitch is the key to getting your point across. In the book Get to the Point!, Joel Schwartzberg argues that knowing how to pitch to your audience can help build rapport. Check out these seven strategies to help keep the audience focused on your point.

Why Change Is Hard: Intriguing Answers From Physics

Why is change hard? How is momentum both a help and a hindrance to change? How can understanding friction help you remove barriers to progress? In The Great Mental Models Volume 2, Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish argue that the laws of motion and thermodynamics can help us understand why change is hard. They discuss how the principles of inertia, momentum, and friction play a role in our lives. Continue reading to see how these lessons of physics can help us understand resistance to change.

Why Practicing Delayed Gratification Is Hard but Vital

What is delayed gratification? What are some ways to practice delaying gratification? Why does your brain thrive on instant gratification? Author Anna Lembke discusses practicing delayed gratification in her self-help book, Dopamine Nation. According to her, overindulgence is fueled by the pursuit of instant gratification, and learning how to delay gratification leads to a happier and more satisfying life. Keep reading to learn Lembke’s ways to practice delayed gratification by pursuing long-term rewards.

3 Tips for College Students: Shape Your Own Experience

Should college students choose a career-oriented program or a major they enjoy more? What kind of mindset will help them succeed? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz argues that college students can actively create a high-quality education for themselves. He recommends that they connect with inspiring professors, follow their interests, and expect and embrace failure. Continue reading to learn about these three tips for college students.

How to Practice Virtue Today and Every Day (The Daily Stoic)

Do you do each task to the best of your ability? Are you committed to doing the right thing? The Stoic philosophers taught that people should pursue virtuous living. They saw this as both a daily imperative and a lifelong commitment. In The Daily Stoic, authors Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman explain that you should strive to do your best on each task and avoid getting sidetracked. Continue reading for the Stoics’ advice on how to practice virtue today and every day.

How to Overcome Bias: James O’Brien’s Path Toward Change

Do you look down on others? Do you have empathy for all kinds of people, or does bias sometimes get in the way? Radio personality James O’Brien has been known for his ability to argue his guests into submission and prove his own rightness. In his book How Not to Be Wrong, he explains how he realized his misguided beliefs about himself and others and ultimately changed course. Continue reading to learn how to overcome bias as O’Brien has.

Behavior Patterns in Psychology: How to Identify Yours

What are behavior patterns in psychology? Which patterns are potentially harmful? What is self-sabotage? Holistic psychologist and bestselling author Nicole LePera says certain experiences from your childhood could be affecting you as an adult, creating psychological behavior patterns that harm your wellbeing. Her book, How to Do the Work, teaches you which pattern you need to change. Read on to learn how to identify and address the behavior pattern that LePera says could be most harmful.

Anna Lembke on Addiction: How Daily Habits Are Addictive

What does Anna Lembke say about addiction in modern society? How could your daily habits and activities lead to addiction? In her bestselling book, Dopamine Nation, author Anna Lembke explains how pleasure and pain motivate you to overindulge in pleasurable activities. According to Anna Lembke, addictions can take hold when you have a hard time stepping away from your favorite indulgence. Keep reading to learn Lembke’s advice for identifying daily behaviors that could lead to addiction.

How to Get Better at Admitting You Are Wrong

Do you find it difficult to admit that you were wrong? Why is it so hard to own up to your mistakes? Admitting you were wrong can feel like a blow to your ego and self-image, but it’s an essential step to growing as a person. When you make a conscious effort to admit you were wrong, you express humility, which shows courage and open-mindedness. Here’s how to get better at admitting you are wrong, according to Adam Grant.