How to Overcome Instant Gratification and Stop Procrastinating

A woman holding a present with a pile of papers behind her, failing to show how to overcome instant gratification

Why do future rewards feel less important than current ones? How does instant gratification cause procrastination? One of the reasons why we procrastinate is that we want to have experiences that our brains perceive as rewarding—experiences that feel good rather than bad. According to Timothy A. Pychyl, this tendency explains why we prefer being rewarded now, rather than later. Find out how to overcome instant gratification, which will then help solve procrastination.

How to Enter REM Sleep for Successful Lucid Dreaming

A person lying in bed with an alarm clock next to them, trying to enter REM sleep

Do you want to know how to enter REM sleep purposefully? How can scheduling your REM sleep help you lucid dream? In their book Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming, Stephen LaBerge and Howard Rheingold explain how you can learn to optimize your sleep cycles for lucid dreaming. This involves waking up in a specific way every morning. Here’s how to optimize your REM cycle.

NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman: Book Overview & Takeaways

A girl on a couch reading a book that has a drawn image of a brain on the page

How do autistic brains differ from allistic brains? Why isn’t Asperger’s syndrome a legitimate diagnosis anymore? What is the only cure for autism? Every day, people with autism are forced to exist in a world that’s not designed for their brains. In the book NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman, he explores the history, characterization, and evolving societal perception of autism.  Whether you or someone you know is autistic or you’re simply curious about autism, here’s an overview of NeuroTribes.

How Beliefs Are Formed (and Too Often Invented on the Fly)

a cartoon of a woman reading a book while a factory is working in her brain illustrates how beliefs are formed

Do you know how your beliefs are formed? What if many of them are based on faulty information? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the fascinating process of how beliefs are formed. She discusses the ways our senses and storytelling abilities can lead us astray, creating beliefs that may not align with reality. Keep reading to discover the surprising ways your mind works in the formation of beliefs.

7 Benefits of Lucid Dreaming: Improve Your Life While You Sleep

A man benefiting from lucid dreaming by imagining a galaxy painting

What are the benefits of lucid dreaming? How can lucid dreaming help you overcome your fears? Not only is lucid dreaming a unique and fun experience, it can change your life for the better. The benefits of lucid dreaming include learning new skills, solving problems, overcoming your fears, and more. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the seven benefits of lucid dreaming.

How to Practice Critical Thinking to Improve Leadership Skills

A woman who knows how to practice critically thinking, with a lightbulb and question marks around her head.

Do you know how to practice critical thinking? Why do leaders need to have critical thinking skills? Every leader needs critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their back pocket. Critical thinking helps you identify ways to improve the situations and organizations you’re involved in. Keep reading to learn how to practice critical thinking to become a leader among your peers.

What Are the Signs of Autism? Steve Silberman Explains

A woman at a restaurant avoiding eye contact in a conversation, one of the signs of autism

What are the signs of autism? Do all autistic people display the same traits? Why is spotlighting autistic savants controversial? In NeuroTribes, Steve Silberman explores the history, characterization, and evolving societal perception of autism. He begins the book with an in-depth look at what autism is, the most common characteristics, and accompanying impairments. Keep reading to learn more about the signs and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.

Group Consensus & the Social Pressure to Believe (Even Wrongly)

a cartoon of a group of people all sharing only one thought bubble over their heads illustrates group consensus

How does social pressure influence our beliefs and decision-making? Can large groups of people all be wrong together? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the concept of group consensus and its impact on our thinking. She discusses the challenges of independent thought and the power that social influence wields over what we believe. Read on to discover how group dynamics shape our beliefs and why thinking for ourselves might be harder than we imagined.

Procrastination & Emotional Regulation: The Unexpected Link

A stressed person ignoring work and experiencing the connection between procrastination and emotional regulation.

How do your emotions cause you to procrastinate? What happens when you avoid negative emotions, rather than confront them? Timothy A. Pychyl says that procrastination results from a failure of the cognitive capacity psychologists call emotion regulation. This is the ability to manage your emotions, attention, and behavior so you can work toward your goals or act according to your values. Continue reading to learn why procrastination and emotional regulation are more commonly related than you might think.