The Buddha once claimed that desire creates suffering. On the surface this seems to make sense. You feel pain when you don’t get what you want. The solution, in Buddhism, is to cease desiring things and therefore your suffering will end. Somehow, that doesn’t feel right. Sure, desire may create pain, but doesn’t it also […]
The Key to Escaping Toxic Motivation
Motivation can be split up between two different categories. The first is passionate motivation, this comes from craving to do something. The second is wealth motivation. Wealth motivation is craving to have something. The differences between the two may be subtle, but the impact is tremendous. One builds enthusiasm, while the other can be completely […]
How to Keep Bad Habits From Ruling Your Life
When is the last time you exercised? How much television have you watched this week? What time did you wake up this morning? And how many times have you checked your e-mail today? The answers to these questions depend on your habits. I’ve done a lot of work changing habits within myself. With a little […]
Social Courage: How to Meet New People
Meeting new people is easy. At least it should be. I just got back to my University residence where I spent part of the first day knocking on random doors and meeting the new residents. I’ve probably met over a hundred new people in the last few days. But while meeting new people doesn’t appear […]
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.