#2: Warm-up ritual — A lot of people think of creativity and discipline as opposites. But nothing could further from the truth… Creative discipline is the difference between wishing you were creative and actually creating stuff. Many of the most creative people the world has ever known were surprisingly disciplined in their approach to…

#2: Sharpen your why — Better motivation comes from better habits. In my work as a psychologist, I found that there are 3 very simple habits that can help almost anyone to… Boost motivation Improve their focus Stop procrastinating so much Work to build these habits and watch your motivation rise. 1. Think about motivation as an effect, not a cause If you’re reading this…

#3: Black and White Thinking — Many people are a lot more anxious than they’d like to admit. This is understandable for a couple reasons… There’s a lot of shame and stigma associated with emotional health struggles like anxiety. Acknowledging your anxiety honestly can lead to a lot of shame and guilt if you believe that…

#2: Gaslighting — As a psychologist, one of the biggest sources of chronic unhappiness I see in people’s lives is being married to someone with low emotional maturity. I hear stories like this all the time: At the slightest hint of criticism, he just clams up or gets defensive — he literally never…

#2: Schedule an early-morning win — There are no quick fixes for low self-esteem: There’s no profound insight your therapist can give you that will suddenly improve your self-esteem There’s no secret mantra that will unlock your inner worthiness There’s no perfect person who will “complete” you and make you feel whole Because while all sorts…

#1: Try the 2-minute drill — If you struggle with chronic procrastination, the long-term solution likely involves understanding the core psychology behind procrastination. But if you aren’t quite ready for that kind of a major undertaking, here are a handful of quick tricks you can use to outwit your procrastination and stay focused. 1. Use the 2-minute drill It’s a cliche…

#2: Rumination — Why am I so emotional? has to be one of the most frequently asked questions I hear as a psychologist. But it’s a tricky question to answer, primarily for two reasons: Many different factors affect how we feel emotionally. Everything from your genetics and attachment style to what you ate…

#9: Unrealistic expectations — From financial insecurities to physical abuse, there are all sorts of reasons romantic relationships don’t work out. But if you find yourself stuck in a pattern of relationships that don’t last, there may be some subtle psychological reasons why. Over the years working as a psychologist, I’ve observed 10 common…

#3: Surround yourself with productive people — Becoming more productive isn’t about more productivity hacks or yet another time management framework. In fact, those things are usually distractions from adressing the real issues with productivity. Because here’s what most people trying to be more productive miss: True productivity is about habits, not hacks. In particular, it’s your…