Psychology Archives

Are Your Personal Paradigms Truly Your Own?

What are your personal paradigms? How do you see the world at a high level? At the root of your beliefs and behaviors are a collection of personal paradigms, which are influenced by your family, education, work, religion, friends, and culture. A personal paradigm is essentially the lens through which you see the world. If you don’t create your own self-paradigm, you’re left to piece together a self-image that’s based on the opinions and feedback you get from others. Read more to learn about the concept of a personal paradigm and how your paradigms affect your behavior.

Perception Is Subjective: How We Sense Reality

What does it mean that perception is subjective? Do we know what’s real? We don’t sense everything, and what we sense might not be real. In other words, perception is subjective. Authors Miguel Ruiz and Jose Ruiz discuss this point in their book The Fifth Agreement. Keep reading to learn how perception is subjective.

Beyond Average: 7 Examples of Outlier Success

What are some outlier examples? What stories illustrate that “self-made” success is a myth? In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell shows us that where you’re from and the opportunities you’re given matter as much as personal advantages such as talent and intelligence. He provides several outlier examples to illustrate his point. Here are seven outlier examples that show how success really happens.

Millennial Burnout: Why Are Millennials So Stressed?

How did millennials become the burnout generation? How do millennials compare to other generations in terms of health and well-being outcomes? Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are the most stressed-out generation, both physically and emotionally. They have the highest rates of hypertension, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Continue reading to learn how the focus on efficiency is causing millennial burnout.

What Acceptance Means in Toltec Philosophy

Do you know what acceptance means in the context of Toltec enlightenment? How does it relate to personal freedom? Acceptance of “what is” is the second stage of Toltec enlightenment. In The Fifth Agreement, don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz discuss what acceptance means in this context and how to practice acceptance to reclaim personal freedom. Continue reading to learn what acceptance means in Toltec philosophy.

Nonverbal Skills: The Body Language of Charisma

Do you want to be more charismatic? What do nonverbal skills have to do with charisma? When you think of charisma, you probably think of a person who has magnetic energy and who can captivate any listener. However, what you may not know is that one of the most important parts of being charismatic is actually being a good nonverbal communicator. Here’s what Olivia Fox Cabane has to say about nonverbal communication in her book The Charisma Myth.

Stephen Covey: Habits Pave the Way to Success

What are the seven habits of Stephen Covey? How can adopting these habits help you become more effective in both life and work? Stephen Covey’s habits are high-level, universal practices, and they encompass smaller habits that are more specific to each individual. The seven habits are designed to build from the foundation up—establishing a mindset, skills, and routines that help you identify and achieve the things that are most important to you. Keep reading to learn how habits are formed and how you can make the most of Stephen Covey’s habits.

Verbal Communication: Strategies to Use and Avoid

What are some verbal communication strategies you should be aware of? Which ones should you use? Which ones should you avoid? We use various verbal communication strategies when we engage in conversations at home and work. There are three strategies—silence, violence, and “clever stories”—that you should seek to avoid, but it’s important to recognize when they are in use. Two strategies—useful stories and contrasting—lead to constructive dialogue and should be part of your skill set. Continue reading to learn about these verbal communication strategies.

Subjective Thinking Versus Reality: What’s the Truth?

How common is subjective thinking? What can you do about it? Don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz, the authors of The Fifth Agreement, discuss the issue of subjective thinking. They assert that we perceive only a fraction of reality. This causes us to have wrong and often harmful beliefs about the world and ourselves. Read more to learn about subjective thinking.

Healthy Skepticism: How to Use Doubt as a Tool

Do you practice healthy skepticism? What’s the difference between skepticism and cynicism? Healthy skepticism is a handy tool to have around if you want to get at the truth. It’s also a way to achieve freedom of control, according to The Fifth Agreement authors don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz. This is your ticket to choosing how you want to live. Read more to learn how to leverage healthy skepticism, and how skepticism is different from cynicism.