Don’t mistake structure for content — When you think of hypnosis, your mind might generate an image of a specialist dangling a pocket clock in front of a person’s eyes. You might also think of it as a strategy for accessing the unconscious via relaxation. While hypnosis may involve both, these assumptions also distract from the…

Reduce stress-inducing convolutions and become a freer version of yourself — “What’s the meaning of life?” is a question that never enters the flow state. Recognized in personal development conversations as the zone where challenge meets skill, flow is much more than a vector for achievement. It’s central to what drives meaning in life. …

The simple way to close the gap between what you want and what you’re willing to do to get it. Most people feel a troublesome gap between their life’s current design and their visions for it. …

Break the cycle by finding the hidden payoffs in your patterns of suffering — Let me know if this sounds familiar. You recognize that some habit or behavior pattern isn’t serving you. When this realization hits, you feel energized by a powerful urge to change it. Yet every time you attempt to break the habit, it isn’t long until you’re rationalizing why it’s okay…

How to build a life on your terms — At what point did you notice the difficulty of staying motivated over the long term? You might be familiar with this cycle: You identify something you want, and consistently work toward it for a few weeks or months. But gradually, your motivation wanes. I’ve found that two central qualities determine…

The Art of Honoring Your Own Path — For hundreds of thousands of years, humans lived among extended networks of family, friends, and neighbors. 50 or so years ago, people began locking themselves into one-bedroom apartments, seeing other humans only while walking in the park or shopping for groceries. Positive social interactions release natural-feel good hormones (among other…

Don’t mistake expansion for risk — If you’re considering freelance writing, entrepreneurship, or other creative trajectories, people may warn you that the path is “risky.” After all, it lacks safety nets like health insurance or paid vacation time. Perhaps this is even the story you’re telling yourself. Don’t buy into this fear narrative. The people who…

How to become the person you were born to be It’s no secret that the dominant systems within Western culture breed emotional dependence. Whether it’s education, medicine, or technology, these cultural machines sell people quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions. …

Build habits by re-calibrating your identity at its root. — When people use willpower to meet their goals, they either fail or operate from a place of frustration. You know this loop. You want to change your life: write a book, build a business, or clean the paint off your floor. These activities are fun to think about (kind of)…