There are plenty of different standardized tests: SAT, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT as well as hundreds more for specific classes, fields and specialties. In many cases, the thought of preparing for big tests like this can fill you with anxiety, as you imagine going up against hundreds or thousands of other students in a high-pressure environment. […]
Want to Learn a Language on Your Next Trip? Avoid These Six Mistakes.
Immersion is the best way to learn a language. You can learn much faster than sitting in class. It feels exciting and useful, not just a stale list of grammatical rules and vocabulary words. However, most people make some key mistakes when trying to learn a language while traveling. I’ve made these mistakes, so I […]
Should You Be an Early Riser, or Just Get Enough Sleep?
A common piece of productivity advice is to wake up early. This can make sense. Waking up early lets you capture more of the quiet morning hours. There’s fewer social distractions. Combined with starting work right away, it can be a powerful ritual to get stuff done. However, waking up early also has its downsides. […]
Book Club: The Selfish Gene (May 2018)
This month we read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. If you would like to stream audio on your browser, click here listen on Soundcloud About the book: Evolution by natural selection is a topic that many people either champion or dismiss, but far fewer really understand. As one of the fundamental patterns of nature, I […]
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.