How often do you find that you were completely wrong about an idea you’ve had? If you’re like most people the answer is probably not very often at all. Psychologists even have a name for it, the confirmation bias, or the tendency of humans to seek out information that confirms their beliefs. People search for […]
Manageable Awfulness and How to Let Bad Things Happen
“If you want to invent life-saving medicine, you need to accept that at some point, people will die.” A successful life-science entrepreneur told me this during a conversation. At first, I was shocked at the comment. Isn’t the point of creating new drugs or medical procedures to save lives? But the more I thought about […]
Pragmatic Optimism: How Your Fears and Doubts Can Allow You to Succeed
Deep down, I’m a die-hard optimist. I believe the world is getting better and that the pursuit of the ideal life is possible and worthwhile. While I disagree with a lot of current self-help, I embrace the core premise: that we can become better people. But, as optimistic as I am about the pursuit itself, […]
Consistency is an Overrated Virtue
Consistency is often a liability towards self-improvement. If putting pressure to stay who you are, how can you grow into something better? Trying to stay consistent in the eyes of family and friends can slow your growth, as you avoid challenges that don’t fit neatly inside your predefined personality. Consistency and Social Drag Anyone who […]
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.