I’ll admit, before I started Further I didn’t have much use for personal development stuff. Being in the online publishing business, I found the endless parade of platitudes and shallow advice to be fairly inconsequential.
My attitude was probably a bit cynical. But people who think the latest mind hack, two-day seminar, or inspirational guru is going to perfect your otherwise messy life are being deluded by the common mythology surrounding personal development.
I have found, though, that a meaningful exploration into the psychology and science of personal growth to be well worth it. Diving deep allows you to better understand yourself, and what you understand, you can optimize.
And guess what? Smart self-help study is beneficial, moreso than therapy or medication:
- “Studies show that self-help books can resolve readers’ depressed moods, change ingrained thought patterns, and instill a renewed zest for life – as long as the advice within is scientifically sound. For many patients, so-called ‘bibliotherapy’ seems to work as well as talk therapy or drugs such as Prozac.”
Hopefully Further is helping to point you in the direction of meaningful personal development information. Feel free to hit reply to this email to share your thoughts.
further: health
A Return to Real(er) Food
“It’s easy to make fun of people in big cities for their obsession with gluten, or chia seeds, or cleanses. But urbanites are not the only ones turning away from the products created by big food companies. Eating habits are changing across the country and food companies are struggling to keep up.”
A Seismic Shift in How People Eat
Craving Consumerism
Interesting article, summed up best in this one silly line: Do I really want to buy this pillow, or am I just hungry?
Hunger Makes You Crave More Than Food
Get a Leg Up On Old Age
“Scientists have discovered a link between strong legs and a fit brain that resists the effects of ageing. Researchers found a ‘striking protective relationship’ between high leg power and better preserved mental ability and brain structure over a period of 10 years.”
Strong legs help keep brain healthy in old age, study finds
further: wealth
Hypothetically Speaking
Persuading people to see your point of view is tough, especially when your audience is entrenched and defensive. Side step that problem by using smart hypotheticals in your presentation … the piece has some smart tips.
Make a More Convincing Argument by Using Hypotheticals
Meaning Over Money
We discussed last week how meaning makes for a more substantial life than the simple pursuit of happiness. A larger percentage of people seek purpose in employment, and it matters more than money. And of course, it can be fostered are inhibited: “Meaning grows or gets stomped on depending on the quality of the leadership and management.”
Why Meaningful Work Trumps Money
Pursuing a Doctorate in Sarcastic Responses
Good news for many of us — sarcasm is the highest form of intelligence. “To create or decode sarcasm, both the expressers and recipients of sarcasm need to overcome the contradiction (i.e., psychological distance) between the literal and actual meanings of the sarcastic expressions.” And your co-workers love it, as far as you know.
Why Sarcastic People Are More Successful
further: wisdom
The Paradox of Meditative Choice
We’ve covered walking, coloring, and Tai Chi as alternatives to traditional sitting meditation. Here’s a more expansive list if you’re still looking for the one that’s just right for you.
15 Alternatives to Sitting Meditation
Facebook Sucks
I’m no fan of Facebook in a business sense, although it’s hard to avoid. I also think the selective life-presentation that goes on over there is pretty appalling (never mind the political crap). The problem with Facebook, and social media in general, has its roots in something that’s been around throughout civilized history — social comparison. Now we get to do it on a mass scale, with people we didn’t even like in high school!
Research Reveals New Risks for Daily Social Media Users
I’m Sorry You Feel That Way
Ever notice that most apologies, especially when someone high profile gets busted, aren’t really apologies at all? And yet, the absolutely best thing you can do when you’ve screwed up is provide a meaningful, unequivocal expression of true regret. What’s so hard about that? Well … take a look.
The Three Parts of an Effective Apology
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It’s not a myth … sharing Further will make your day and mine:
Keep going-
Brian Clark
Tour Guide
Further
