Self-Improvement

Every fall, Black Friday and Cyber Monday loom as the notorious twins of November, luring shoppers out in droves amid fierce competition. But beyond the viral videos of people fighting over TVs, these two consumer holidays are a big win for companies, with Americans spending nearly $20 billion on both…

Willpower is often thought of as an “x” factor—an unquantifiable, but powerful force that, if only we could capture it, could allow us to conquer our vices and achieve our goals. Willpower is perhaps the most romanticized of all psychological traits, but rarely have we stopped to pose the question:…

If my to-do list could talk, it would say, “You didn’t finish me yet!” I know I’m not the only one ignoring my to-do list because I can’t stand the idea of one more task. Many of us are drained these days, but time off isn’t always feasible. Even if…

The oncoming car ignores their red light and slams into the side of my Subaru as I turn left. My tires squeal in protest as I’m pushed sideways across the intersection by the impact, but before I know it, the crash is over. The tunnel vision wears off — I…

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a strong opinion about astrology, which assigns meaning to the placement of the planets and the stars. Twenty-nine percent of Americans believe in horoscopes, and the people who say they don’t are quick to defend their reasons why.  As much as…

Buena Vista is as nice a neighborhood as you could imagine: Proper houses trimmed in white, all lined up in neat rows. It’s a labyrinth of new pavement and landscaping, baking underneath the Texas sun. Somewhere, the sounds of a lawnmower swirl together with a dog barking and a child’s…

I used to think that adults who play video games regularly were people who couldn’t face reality; man-child troglodytes who retreat into their sweaty lair in order to avoid the sun and going on dates. I’d long shoved video games into a corner of my head, adding to a mental…

You may be considering a career change by personal choice or due to forced circumstances or a mixture of both. It is natural to feel both excited and anxious about switching your occupations. You might be concerned that you haven’t got the relevant experience, skills, and knowledge to make the…

Perhaps the key statistic behind the Great Resignation of 2021 is that 20% of workers have now met their colleagues’ dogs, cats, and/or human offspring online. What does this say about the post-pandemic workplace? It says that after enduring the disruptions of Covid-19, people are more likely to feel like…

What do employers usually expect from a job candidate? Of course, skills, experience, and education play a significant part in landing the job of your dreams. But there are situations (and you’ve probably gone through them yourself) when a company chooses a person with almost no qualifications for the job,…

Last December, in thinking about my New Year’s resolutions, I decided to focus on me. That was my goal. To do whatever it took in the coming year to prioritize and improve me, my well-being, my happiness. I know, I know… this isn’t technically a SMART goal. It is absolutely…

Remember when you thought you’d graduate high school or college and land your dream job making at least six figures, right out of the gate? Well, chances are you’re a few years down the road from that, still busting your tail to buy that new jacket you’ve had your eye…