5 Verbal De-Escalation Strategies From George Thompson

A man practices verbal de-escalation strategies in a workspace with two employees who are upset with each other

How do you get out of a tense situation? What are some ways to resolve issues rather than make them worse? Law enforcement trainer George Thompson argues that, in a high-pressure situation, it’s most effective to act as if you’re practicing judo. In other words, use the other person’s energy to gently move them in the direction you want them to go. Keep reading to learn Thompson’s verbal de-escalation strategies to handle conflicts in your day-to-day life.

Mo Gawdat on Happiness: 4 Tips to Reprogram Your Brain

A smiling woman holding balloons outside, following Mo Gawdat's happiness tips.

What are Mo Gawdat’s “programming” tips for more happiness? How can you make your brain process information better? In That Little Voice in Your Head‘s section on happiness, Mo Gawdat discusses four tips to help your brain process and respond to information in ways that lead to happiness. By thinking of your brain as a malfunctioning computer, you can logically reprogram it to be happier. Read below for Mo Gawdat’s tips for programming your brain for unlimited happiness.

What Is Verbal Judo? Communication Inspired by a Martial Art

Cartoon drawing of a man and woman engaged in a conversation, illustrating what Verbal Judo is

What is Verbal Judo? Why should you practice it? George Thompson contends that, by using a form of “tactical communication” inspired by the Japanese martial art of judo, you can resolve stressful confrontations without losing your cool. Verbal Judo involves directing the other person’s energy toward a solution that makes everyone feel understood. Read more to learn what Verbal Judo is and how it can improve your communication and relationships.

What Is the Misinformation Effect? Mo Gawdat Explains

People working at a command center full of computer screens, searching what the misinformation effect is.

What is the misinformation effect? What happens when your brain takes in inaccurate information? One grave error that can cause your brain to misfire is if you feed it inaccurate information. If you want your brain to produce happiness, you must ensure that you’re feeding it the proper information to produce that result. Keep reading to learn more about how the misinformation effect works in the brain.

How to Expand Your Comfort Zone: Train to Be Tougher

A woman is nervous to give a speech on stage in front of people, but she must learn how to expand her comfort zone.

Do you feel uneasy stepping outside your boundaries? How can you expand your comfort zone? To use adversity as an opportunity to grow, William B. Irvine recommends that you undergo training that expands your comfort zone. It might sound scary to look for uncomfortable situations, but it’s necessary to experience delight in a wide range of situations. Discover how to expand your comfort zone below.

The Four Types of Information Your Brain Takes in Every Day

A man looking at a computer monitor intaking four types of information with graphs and lines.

What are the four types of information the brain consumes? What’s the difference between interpretations and inaccurate information? Mo Gawdat says there are four main categories of information that the brain takes in: sensory information, interpretations, recurring thoughts and emotions, and inaccurate takes. Your brain reacts differently to every type, so you must consume the right kind of information. Here are details about the four types of information.

Stop Trying to Be Perfect: 3 Ways to Keep Your Ideals in Check

A young woman looking in the mirror illustrates how to stop trying to be perfect

Why should you stop trying to be perfect? How does perfectionism knock you off your road to success? It’s easy to get mired on the road to success if you expect your achievements to live up to your dreams in every perfect detail. Perfectionists, especially in creative fields, often feel stymied when their work doesn’t live up to their very high personal standards. Learn how Adam Alter frames the escape from the perfectionism trap in three different ways.

The 3 Basic Human Survival Instincts That Cause Stress

A man surviving in the woods with a bow and arrow, using his human survival instincts.

What are the most basic human survival instincts? When do these survival instincts kick in? Human survival instincts tell us to fear and avoid something, to protect something, or to want something better. Mo Gawdat says these instincts can be problematic because they cause us unnecessary levels of stress and dissatisfaction. Let’s discuss each of these faulty instincts, how they function, and what happens when we use them to process information.

How to Check Yourself: Monitoring What Your Brain Consumes

A strong determined man showing his brain and that he knows how to check himself.

Do you know how to check yourself? How are you perceiving and reacting to the world around you? By consistently checking yourself, you’re ensuring that only accurate information is given to your brain. You’ll also guarantee that you’re solving problems effectively and handling ruminative thoughts. Author Mo Gawdat provides a few methods to check yourself.