Psychology Archives

The Dalai Lama’s Thoughts on Happiness

What is happiness at its core? Do you think happiness is a natural human state? According to the Dalai Lama, happiness is not merely an emotional state, but a mental and intellectual one. It’s about being content with your life on all levels. In his book The Art of Happiness (co-authored with Howard C. Cutler), he proposes that all humans should seek out happiness by training themselves to be happy in four different ways. Here is how to cultivate true happiness, according to the spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

How to Deal With Rejection: Try This Strategy

How do you deal with rejection? Are you the type of person who keeps trying or gives up hope and moves on? Getting rejected is painful but it’s not always the end-all-be-all—sometimes it may be worth it to keep trying. In their book Algorithms to Live By, Christian and Griffiths suggest using the so-called “Exponential Backoff” algorithm to handle rejection without totally giving up hope. Here is how the “Exponential Backoff” algorithm can help you deal with rejection.

How to Change Bad Habits in 4 Simple Steps

Do you want to know how to change bad habits? What experiments can help you weed out your bad behaviors and replace them with better ones? Bad habits are difficult to kick because they are literally encoded in your brain. According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, all successful habit changes begin with a process of experimentation to uncover the specific cues and rewards that drive your habits. He suggests that you follow a four-step process that relies on identifying your routine and experimenting with different rewards so that you can effectively isolate your cue and

What Makes a Habit?—Cue, Routine, & Reward

Why does smoking cigarettes turn into a habit but changing a tire doesn’t? What makes a habit form in the brain? According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, habits need three elements to form: a cue, a routine, and a reward. Once these three elements are in place, a habit is reinforced by craving—the anticipation of the reward when you perceive the cue. Continue reading to learn what makes a habit.

The Dalai Lama’s Tips for Overcoming Anxiety

Do you often feel anxious? What causes anxiety, and how do you overcome it? According to the Dalai Lama, anxiety, like all negative emotions, stems from ignorance. If you struggle with anxiety, educate yourself about where the anxiety comes from and whether it’s valid, recommends the Dalai Lama. Here’s how to deal with anxiety, according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

How to Solve Complex Problems: Embrace Imperfection

How do you approach problem-solving in day-to-day life? What do you do when faced with a complex problem—one that has no obvious solutions? Some daily problems seem impossible to solve—for example, complex optimization problems in which you need to find the optimal arrangement of a set of variables to achieve the best outcome under specific constraints. If you’re trying to purchase the cheapest airline tickets available that get you the most vacation days with good weather or trying to minimize risk in your investment portfolio, you’re solving an optimization problem. Here is how to solve complex problems with no obvious

How Are Habits Formed in the Brain?

What exactly are habits? How are habits formed and why are they so difficult to break? In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains why and how the brain creates habits in order to save mental energy. He details every step of habit formation, from the first time you consciously choose to take any action to how to rewire your brain to replace bad habits. Keep reading to learn how habits are formed in the brain and why they are so difficult to break.

Many Lives Many Masters: Quotes From the Classic

What are some of the most illuminating quotes from the book Many Lives Many Masters? What succinctly captures the main points and themes? In 1981, the course of Dr. Brian Weiss’s career changed dramatically when one of his therapy patients, “Catherine,” suddenly recalled details of her past lives while under hypnosis. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, Many Lives Many Masters is a fascinating account of an experience that changed the lives of both Weiss and his patients. Continue on to read some of the best Many Lives Many Masters quotes and their context.

Stop Dreaming & Take Action to Achieve Your Goals

Do you tend to overthink things when it’s time to take action towards your goals? How do you get over this action paralysis? When faced with the need for action, we too often procrastinate and make excuses. But consistently putting in the effort is how you build the momentum necessary to reach your goals, and momentum is more important than anything else. If you don’t take action to achieve your goals, your risk becoming soft and complacent. Here is why it’s important to take consistent action towards your goals and never stop moving forward.

How to Make Good Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty

How do you make a decision when everything is uncertain? Is there a way to predict the most likely outcome of a decision? One of the biggest obstacles preventing us from making good decisions is our inability to reliably predict the future. For example, it’s easy to decide whether or not to quit your job if you know you’ll get a raise within the next three months. As it is, the uncertain world prevents us from making decisions with confidence. Here is how to make good decisions in the face of uncertainty.