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Category: Self-Management

  • The High Price of Mental Wandering: Why a Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind

    In our busy modern lives, it’s easy to believe that multitasking or constantly thinking ahead is a sign of productivity or even intelligence. We plan, we dream, we ruminate—often while doing completely unrelated tasks. But groundbreaking research by Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert challenges this idea and reveals a surprising truth: the more…

  • Having vs. Being: A Life-Changing Choice We Don’t Even Realize We’re Making

    What if the biggest mistake we’re making in life is not about what we do—but how we exist? In To Have or To Be?, Erich Fromm draws a sharp line between two modes of living that shape our personalities, our relationships, and even our entire culture: the having mode and the being mode. These aren’t just philosophical abstractions—they’re practical, day-to-day…

  • Being Mortal: Rethinking How We Approach Aging and the End of Life

    It’s easy to see why Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande is a favorite for so many readers. It is one of those rare books that blends the precision of a surgeon’s mind with the compassion of someone willing to confront the truths most of us would rather avoid.…

  • Tossed by the Tides: Fear, Anger, and Desire in the Ocean of Samsāra

    Much of what we call “life” — its highs and lows, the triumphs and heartbreaks — is quietly steered by three powerful undercurrents: fear, anger, and desire. So deeply woven into our personal, professional, and social worlds, they often move us without our even knowing. Decisions we think are rational, reactions we believe are justified,…

  • The Silent Power of Self-Esteem: Lessons from Naval Ravikant and Chris Williamson

    Part 1: In a thought-provoking conversation between Chris Williamson and Naval Ravikant, they unpack one of the quietest, yet most significant forces that shapes our lives — self-esteem. Far from being a motivational buzzword or self-help cliché, self-esteem, in their view, is the silent engine behind confidence, decision-making, success, and even our ability to love…

  • The Four Stages of Life: Why You Might Be Stuck and How to Move Forward

    Most of us grow up thinking life is a straight path: go to school, get a job, build a family, and retire. But life rarely unfolds that neatly. Mark Manson, best known for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, argues that life actually progresses through four distinct stages — and many of us get…

  • The Illusion of Self: What Altered Minds Teach Us About Who We Are

    What if everything you thought you knew about yourself—your memories, your body, even your sense of being—was not as solid as it seemed? Science writer Anil Ananthaswamy invites us to explore this provocative idea through the lens of “altered selves,” experiences shaped by conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, foreign limb syndrome, and out-of-body phenomena. His exploration…

  • Alone, But Never Lonely: A Journey into Thoreau’s Solitude

    In a world where solitude often evokes images of isolation and loneliness, Henry David Thoreau offers an entirely different portrait—one brimming with vitality, connectedness, and serene companionship with nature. In the “Solitude” chapter of Walden, Thoreau invites us into his quiet life by Walden Pond, where aloneness becomes a form of liberation, and nature, in…

  • Why You Might Be Better Off Without Social Media

    In a world that pulses with tweets, reels, stories, and scrolling thumbs, the idea of someone who’s never had a social media account feels almost like a myth. But Cal Newport, a millennial, computer scientist, and bestselling author, stands as a very real exception. Standing on a TEDx stage, he made a bold claim that’s…

  • Through Our Eyes: Bernardo Kastrup, Idealism, and the Meaning Behind Suffering

    What if our suffering wasn’t meaningless? What if every ounce of pain, injustice, or despair wasn’t just something to bear, but something through which the universe learns what it is doing to itself? This isn’t a metaphor. It’s the heart of a deep philosophical vision put forward by Bernardo Kastrup—computer scientist, philosopher, former CERN researcher,…

  • Life Rewards Action, Not Intelligence – Lessons from Neill Conor

    Neill Conor, a leadership coach, shared a powerful message in one of his YouTube videos: “Life rewards action, not intelligence.” It’s a simple yet profound idea, one that took him years to fully embrace. Growing up, Neill realized he could do well in school by relying on intelligence alone, with little effort. This gave him…

  • The Big Picture by Sean Carroll

    The idea of the “Ten Commandments” is fascinating. It mixes two things we love: making lists of ten and telling others how to live. The most famous list comes from the Hebrew Bible, handed from God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Over time, people outside religion have also made their own lists—like atheist or socialist…

  • Why Time Feels Like It Speeds Up in Middle Age (And What You Can Do About It)

    Ever feel like time is flying by faster than it used to? One minute you’re celebrating the New Year, and the next, it’s December again. This weird, sped-up feeling of time is super common, especially in middle age. So, what’s going on? Why does life feel like it’s on fast-forward when we hit our 40s…

  • Midlife: Not a Crisis, But an Awakening

    Carl Jung, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, made a bold statement that continues to resonate: “Life really does begin at 40. Up until then, you are just doing research.” This challenges a deeply ingrained narrative in popular culture—that midlife is a time of decline, chaos, or crisis. Instead, Jung invites…

  • 5 Mental Models from Charlie Munger to Improve Your Decision-Making

    Charlie Munger, the legendary investor and Warren Buffett’s right-hand man, has shared timeless wisdom over the years. His mental models help people make smarter, clearer decisions in all areas of life. Here are five models, explained in a way that anyone can use: 1. Inversion Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to…

  • Master the 80/20 Rule: How to Get More Done in Less Time

    In today’s fast-paced world, we’re all striving to be more efficient. What if you could achieve more by focusing on less? That’s the essence of the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. This simple yet powerful idea suggests that 80% of results come from just 20% of efforts. By mastering this principle, you…

  • The Subtle Signs of Aging: What It Feels Like and How We Experience It

    Aging is one of life’s most natural processes, but when does it really start? And how do we experience it? Most of us don’t notice it immediately—it’s a slow, subtle shift that begins in our late 20s or 30s. Let’s take a closer look at how aging unfolds for both men and women, and what…

  • The Paradox of Effort: How Letting Go Leads to Success

    Once, there was a writer who specialized in crafting thought-provoking essays. Through hard work and creativity, she published numerous captivating pieces. But one day, inspiration evaded her. She tried exploring different topics, scoured bookshelves, and searched the internet, yet nothing resonated. As panic crept in, she feared she had succumbed to writer’s block. However, she…

  • The Smart Way to Invest: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Wealth

    Investing can feel like putting together a puzzle, but instead of colorful pieces, you’re working with your hard-earned money. The trick is knowing where to put your money first—and why. Let’s break it down into a simple, actionable plan that helps you grow your wealth wisely while minimizing taxes and fees. 1. Start with Your…

  • 20 Biggest Paradoxes of Life That Make Us Think Twice

    Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes, the more we try to understand it, the more complex it seems. Paradoxes are those strange truths that reveal the contradictory, messy nature of our experiences, and they often carry powerful insights about life’s mysteries. Here are 20 paradoxes of life that remind us how…

  • How Your Phone Is Changing You: What Happens When You Mindlessly Scroll

    In today’s world, most of us are tethered to our smartphones. Whether it’s social media notifications, news updates, or mindless scrolling, our phones have become ever-present companions. But have you ever wondered what this constant phone-checking is really doing to you? Cal Newport recently shared his insights on what he calls “continuous partial participation in the…

  • The Illusion of Free Will and What It Means for Us

    Sam Harris, a well-known author and thinker, challenges a fundamental belief: the existence of free will. In his talks, he argues that our sense of making conscious choices is just that—a sense, not reality. Let’s explore his arguments and what they mean for how we view ourselves, morality, and society. Why Free Will Might Be…

  • The Wisdom of Insecurity: Embracing the Present Moment

    In The Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan Watts delivers a timeless exploration of the human experience, challenging our deeply ingrained instincts to seek security and control over life. Instead of striving for certainty and clinging to the past or worrying about the future, Watts invites us to immerse ourselves in the present — the only reality…

  • You’re Not Alone: Embracing Vulnerability and Focusing on What Matters

    “The moment that you feel that just possibly you’re walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself—that’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.”—Neil Gaiman The media often portrays standout individuals as superheroes, people who…

  • Navigating Life with Naval Ravikant: Truth, Growth, and the Power of Self-Discovery

    In a captivating episode of the “BeerBiceps” podcast, host Ranveer Alahbadia sat down with Naval Ravikant, the renowned entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of AngelList. This conversation delved deep into topics ranging from personal growth and self-understanding to love, relationships, and the meaning of life. Naval’s profound insights offer a fresh perspective on how we navigate…

  • Beyond Human Suffering: Why Compassion for Animals Matters

    Beyond Human Suffering: Why Compassion for Animals Matters

    In our quest to alleviate suffering in the world, it’s natural to prioritize the well-being of those closest to us—our fellow human beings. Yet, this well-intentioned focus often comes at the expense of another group of sentient beings: animals. When we work to reduce human suffering without considering the impact on animals, we risk perpetuating…

  • The Interplay Between Emotion and Reason: Lessons from Antonio Damasio’s Descartes’ Error

    The Interplay Between Emotion and Reason: Lessons from Antonio Damasio’s Descartes’ Error

    In life, we often face a challenging dilemma: should we trust our emotions or rely solely on logic and reasoning? Many of us have been taught to view emotions as irrational and potentially misleading, whereas reasoning is considered the hallmark of sound decision-making. But according to Antonio Damasio, a renowned neuroscientist, emotions are not only…

  • Death and the Present Moment: Embracing Reality and Mindfulness

    Death and the Present Moment: Embracing Reality and Mindfulness

    In his speech “Death and the Present Moment,” Sam Harris tackles one of humanity’s biggest fears: death. He examines how the certainty of death is a major reason behind religious beliefs and contrasts this with atheism, which denies an afterlife. Harris’s goal is to challenge religious comfort and encourage a life based on reason, ethics,…

  • The Illusion of Self: A Meditation Insight

    The Illusion of Self: A Meditation Insight

    In our daily lives, we often experience a sense of aiming our attention, as if there is a “self” or a center of consciousness directing our focus. This perception can feel like a tangible, central entity that governs our awareness. However, through the practice of meditation, this perceived center can be revealed as an illusion.…

  • The Connectedness Paradox: Why “More” Can Mean Less

    The Connectedness Paradox: Why “More” Can Mean Less

    We are deeply interconnected through social media and technology, yet paradoxically feel more isolated. The constant digital stimuli can desensitize us to real connection, leading to a yearning for deeper, authentic relationships. Spiritual retreats offer an opportunity to disconnect, rediscover inner peace, and foster genuine human connection, providing a solution to the connectedness paradox.

  • Beyond the Ladder: Expanding Your Self, not Your Ego, in Work and Life

    We’re constantly bombarded with messages to “climb the ladder,” “hustle harder,” and “achieve more.” While striving for goals and self-improvement is valuable, the relentless pursuit of external validation can lead down a treacherous path: the inflation of the ego. But what if there was another way? What if, instead of expanding our ego, we focused…

  • We All Need Someone to Hold On To

    There’s a scene in the film “Cast Away” where Tom Hanks’ character, Chuck Noland, stranded on a deserted island, clings to a volleyball he’s drawn a face on. It’s a poignant depiction of our fundamental need for connection, even in the face of utter isolation. Chuck names the ball Wilson, not just for companionship, but…

  • The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

    I cannot contribute anything to this eloquent and motivational speech by Earl Nightingale. Despite being 75 years old, its relevance remains as powerful as ever. The Strangest Secret Do you know what will happen to 100 individuals who start even at the age of 25, and who believe they will be successful? By the age…

  • Of Pretend Play & Fiction Writing

    In the second year of life, children start pretending with simple acts, like pretending to sip imaginary milk from an empty cup. Their pretend play becomes more complex and imaginative as they enter preschool years. However, there has been a belief that pretend play declines as children enter middle childhood and engage in activities like…

  • Miswanting: The Inaccurate Predictions of Our Desires and Happiness

    When we say we like something, it makes us feel good. Wanting is when we predict that we will like something in the future. Sometimes, we get what we want but end up not liking it. This is called miswanting. Miswanting refers to the situation where we desire or want something but end up feeling…