Many people fail to change their habits because they focus limitations, not the opportunities that arise from those limitations. Restrictions can actually create more variety in your life. The Paradox of Choice The reason restrictions often add new variety is in the paradox of choice. The paradox is that, given more choices, people often make […]
How to Nap (Without Feeling Exhausted Afterwards)
Do you ever take a nap and wake up exhausted? I recently was given two unscientific, but still useful tips for avoiding post-nap exhaustion. Don’t nap for more than 20 minutes at a time. Nap with a spoon in your right hand. For the first tip, I’m sure to get a bunch of comments that […]
7 Reasons Why the Gym is Better Than Therapy
I have a love affair with my gym. She’s not much to look at: a rubber track and weight room in a dank basement, but appearances aren’t everything. She’s there on my best days and on my worst days. We never fight, and she doesn’t care what I look like as long as I give […]
In Defense of Food
How can a nation so obsessed with health, be so unhealthy? Why has our historically diverse diet gone down to mostly three crops: corn, wheat and soybeans? Michael Pollan argues that in a society where potato chips and corn oil can be awarded health claims (Frito Lays and Mazola, respectively), there is something seriously wrong […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.