The Science of Self

Make a promise to yourself that even though you may occasionally have setbacks, you will never skip your task for two days in a row. One day is understandable, but two days makes a habit. If you slip…

When it comes to relaxing, there are a few methods that run counter to what you might assume is most helpful. Some people just want to turn into a vegetable on the couch, and that works, to a certain…

Mental Model #22: Avoid To-Do Lists. In fact, construct don't-do lists. Narrowing down what you should be avoiding, and what really doesn't matter, will drastically free up your time. This means you …

Impulses are the polar opposite of self-discipline, and they are things we must consciously train against indulging in. Oh, but its hard. Impulses are behind every subconscious thought that we strugg…

Practicing meditation and mindfulness is the most predictable tip for relaxation. Stop ruminating on the past or the future. Try to not even focus on the present. Attempt to clear your mind and think…

It's easy to start and maintain a mini habit. Remember, this is how you start to address the person you are training yourself to be. First, you think about a regular goal you'd like to pursue. It can…

All of us have natural advantages in some things, and despite how hard we work, we will never be more than mediocre in other areas. Recognize your strengths, and while you shouldn't stop trying to im…

Impulses are the polar opposite of self-discipline, and they are things we must consciously train against indulging in. Oh, but it’s hard. Impulses are behind every subconscious thought that we strug…

Stoicism is about finding your power within—your self-control and discipline to live a good life. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor who championed Stoic philosophy, advanced the idea that the quality …

Rene Descartes invented modern geometry, was a leading physicist, and was one of the most prominent Western philosophers in history. He is most famous for his investigations on the essence of knowle…

Sometimes a mental sabbatical is just what you need. Actually, this should be an essential part of your daily, weekly, and monthly routine. We all need to disconnect and recharge; our brains are inca…

Mental Model #20: Avoiding Thinking Like an Expert. Experts think about the big picture and sometimes can't be bothered with small details. Small details, counterintuitively, are mostly paid attentio…

Impulses are the antithesis of self-discipline. They are unpredictable urges that can take over at any point. Studies have shown that impulses are stronger during emotional reactions. Thus, battling …

Next, we come to the practice of discomfort and all that it entails. By definition, anything that requires exercising self-discipline is uncomfortable. We’d rather not do it, otherwise it would be kn…

We can't help it; it's how we've been indoctrinated from childhood. Of course, it's not necessarily wrong either. I'm talking about our drive to reach toward achievements instead of avoiding negative…

Finally, utilize self-testing and practicing drawing information out of your brain instead of trying to stuff information into it. This may be counterintuitive, but the more we can engage in mini tes…

Stoicism is about finding your power within—your self-control and discipline to live a good life. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor who championed Stoic philosophy, advanced the idea that the quality …

Thomas Young is a curious case, because few people know him by name, but instead know him as the one who proved Newton’s theories wrong. Obviously this required deep knowledge of physics and the scie…

Peer pressure can be positive. The sad truth is that we are products of our physical and social environments. With regards to the latter, the people around us can sometimes make or break us. Thus, we…

* Mental Model #18: Get Back to First Principles. When we try to solve problems, oftentimes we attempt to follow methods or a specific path just because they are the conventional means. But are they …