Psychology Archives

The 4 Fundamental Questions: Why, Why Not, What if, and How

Are you always that one person in the room who’s asking all the questions? Should you be? In A More Beautiful Question, author and journalist Warren Berger highlights four fundamental questions: Why, Why not, What if, and How. He calls them “beautiful questions” and contends that they form the basis of larger questions that can help you succeed in life both professionally and personally. Read more to relearn how to raise the questions you almost certainly asked all the time as a child.

How to Determine Your Values: Envision Your Ideal Life

Are your values based on the truth? Are they truly your own, or have they been imposed on you? Susan David advocates cultivating the skill of emotional agility, and she outlines four steps you can take to get there. The last step is to choose your values. It starts with figuring out whether your current values are based on reality and whether they’re truly your own, and it culminates in envisioning your future. Read more to discover how to determine your values with David’s process.

Why We Procrastinate: Putting Things Off for Survival

What are the reasons behind why we procrastinate? Is evolution to blame for us putting things off? Immediate Action by Thibaut Meurisse contends that procrastination may have an evolutionary cause. In the early stages of human evolution, people used to procrastinate as a survival mechanism. Keep reading to learn why we procrastinate and the history behind the habit.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming Theory: Mental Habits Shape Us

What mental habits do you have? How do they impact your behaviors and choices? How can you leverage what you know about someone else’s mental habits? Communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet argues that, if you learn how another person thinks, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. Then, you can influence them more effectively. Read more to learn about the psychological basis for Charvet’s assertion: neuro-linguistic programming theory.

How to Become Emotionally Agile in 4 Clear Steps (Susan David)

Are you honest with yourself about your emotions? Do you allow yourself to feel? Do your values lead toward your ideal future? You don’t have to let narratives—or your emotional responses to them—control you. Instead, you can be emotionally agile—viewing events and emotions objectively and responding deliberately. To do this, label your emotions, accept your emotions, view your emotions objectively, and choose your values. Keep reading to learn how to become emotionally agile by engaging in this four-part process put forth by Susan David in her book Emotional Agility.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Explanation (With Infographic)

What’s the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset? Why are growth mindsets beneficial? How can you develop one? A fixed mindset is when you believe you’re abilities are unchangeable, while a growth mindset is the belief that you can improve your abilities with hard work. A fixed mindset will hold you back in life while a growth mindset opens you up to infinite possibilities. Here’s an in-depth look at the difference between a fixed vs. growth mindset, an infographic, and actionable tips.

How to Adopt a Positive Self-Image & Be a Champion

Do you want to become exceptional? How can you adopt a positive self-image? In How Champions Think, Bob Rotella writes to become exceptional, you must change how you view yourself by adopting a positive self-image. He explains that how you view your abilities affects how successful you’ll become. Discover how to empower yourself by developing a positive self-image.

The Question That Unleashes Joy: “What Am I Grateful For?”

Are you chasing happiness? What if you could catch up to it right now? Warren Berger says he has the answer, and it’s a question. His book A More Beautiful Question contains several types of inquiries that he says you should make in order to find success. But, the most beautiful question is the one that can bring you satisfaction immediately: “What am I grateful for?” Read on to learn why this question is so powerful.

Active vs. Passive Personality: How to Communicate With Each

Are you active or passive in your approach to action? What about the people around you? When you understand how people operate, it’s easier to communicate with them effectively and work with them toward a goal. Communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet discusses active vs. passive personality and shares tips on how to speak each language. Keep reading for her practical advice as well as a broader discussion about active and passive behavior.

How to Break Negative Thought Patterns to Quit Procrastinating

How do negative thoughts cause procrastination? How do you go about breaking negative thought patterns? Immediate Action by Thibaut Meurisse says that to stop procrastination, you must recognize faulty patterns of thinking. These thoughts include: relying on motivation to act, accepting your feelings as facts, and thinking your future self will act for you. Let’s discuss each one as well as Meurisse’s advice for correcting each pattern.