Psychology Archives

High-Five Yourself: Why Your Brain Loves It

Why should you high-five yourself? Why do kids feel more confident when they receive high fives from other people? A high five might seem like a simple gesture, but it’s incredibly powerful. For instance, when kids receive a high five, they feel like they’re being praised for something they’ve done. Likewise, adults can feel the same way if they give their reflection a high five. Here’s why giving yourself a high five has more of an impact than you think.

The Genius Move: 5 Steps to Turn Your Focus to What You Control

When you feel unhappy, do you know the cause? What’s the solution? Each moment, you can choose to focus on the things you can control or the things you can’t. Psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the way to be content is to let go of the things you can’t control and instead devote your time and energy to things you can change. Keep reading to learn how to perform the Genius Move when you start thinking about things you can’t control.

How to Create a Psychologically Safe Work Environment

What does a psychologically safe work environment look like? How can you encourage an environment of psychological safety? When a workplace doesn’t feel psychologically safe, employees will hesitate to speak up and participate. Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet encourages leaders to break down barriers that employees are afraid to destroy themselves. Find out more on how to create a work environment that’s psychologically safe enough for your employees to participate in.

How to Get Rid of Bad Thoughts and Unhealthy Emotions

What’s the key to getting rid of bad thoughts? How should you remind yourself that you’re a worthy and capable person? The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins says that giving yourself a high five is the boost of confidence that you need every day, but sometimes negative thoughts are too loud to overcome. To challenge them, she offers a three-step process to help you. Discover how to get rid of bad thoughts and turn your day around.

The Problem With Pride: Why Leaders Should Stay Humble

What’s the problem with pride in a business setting? How can failing actually help you? Confidence is a great thing to have as a leader or entrepreneur, but it’s another thing to be too prideful. According to The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham, pride can cloud your judgment on important decisions that increase risk for your company. Let’s look at why pride can turn into a problem for leaders.

How to Deal With Negative Emotions: Fear, Doubt, & More

Are negative thoughts clouding your mind? How should you deal with negative emotions? Negative thoughts are tied to complicated underlying emotions like fear, doubt, jealousy, and guilt. In The High 5 Habit, Mel Robbins argues that addressing the emotions at their root will better equip you to interrupt the negative thoughts that stem from those emotions. Check out more on how to deal with negative emotions that lead to negative self-talk.

Why Is It Important to Be Honest? An Answer From Confucius

Why is it important to be honest? Is honesty just about telling the truth? In The Analects, Confucius offers direct advice about morality. He says that a single word can guide everything you do: the Chinese word “shu,” which means that you should treat others in the same way you want to be treated. One key aspect of this principle is honesty. Keep reading to learn about the importance of honesty in life.

The 5 Memory Principles That Underpin Memory Techniques

What’s a foundational memory? Can you deliberately create one? Why are concrete things easier to remember than abstract things? The Memory Book is a classic book that can help you put to memory and recall all kinds of information. Authors Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas share the basic memory principles that underpin the strategies they recommend. Keep reading to learn about these five principles of memory.

How to Read the Room & Adapt Your Presentation Accordingly

How to Find Your Target Audience and Competitors

How can you read the room even before you speak? How should you respond to certain reactions you get during your presentation? Even the most prepared speaker must be ready to be flexible during their speech. A skilled public speaker knows how to read the room and go with that flow in order to maintain the connection between them and their audience. Read more for John C. Maxwell’s advice on how to read the room and adjust your speech as needed.

Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (List & Exercise)

Do you have any fine art in your house? How much attention do you pay to the person you’re becoming? Do you have a date scheduled with your significant other? Beyond Order is Jordan B. Peterson’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense guide to navigating the chaos of our difficult world and living a life of excellence. In it, Peterson offers 12 rules to help you reduce the chaos in your life, create order, and live responsibly. Keep reading for the Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life list, and apply them to your life with an exercise at the end.