Further Thoughts on “Motivation by Love”

Further Thoughts on “Motivation by Love”

I was recently interviewed on the Yaron Brook Show on the topic of "Motivation by Love." The main point of the interview is that it's important to go deeper to understand the source of your motivation for any action. The fundamental motivation needs to be the desire...

Thoughts on Despair

Thoughts on Despair

Recently I've been discussing the need to reboot your thinking when you are in a dysfunctional state. The emotion of despair deserves special attention under this heading. Unlike other emotions, the emotion of despair always indicates a mistake somewhere in your...

Intense Emotional Conflict as a Dysfunctional State

Intense Emotional Conflict as a Dysfunctional State

In my previous article, I explained what dysfunctional states are and why you need to "reboot" your mind when you get into one. But I kept to the simple ones: overload, confusion, and blankness. Conflict, meaning the experience of emotions pulling you in multiple...

The Need to Reboot Your Thinking

The Need to Reboot Your Thinking

    “Thinking” is a purposeful process of integrating new observations with your existing knowledge and values to reach new conclusions.   It is not a passive state of registering random impressions. It is an actively sustained process of identifying...

Thoughts on “Overthinking”

Thoughts on “Overthinking”

After back-and-forths with some Thinking Labbers, I've got a lead to what causes some people to bog down in thinking about issues and never get into action. It's popular to say that such people are "overthinking" and need "a bias for action." But inaction is a symptom...

Distinguish Values and Emotions

Distinguish Values and Emotions

Some people muddle together values and emotions when they discuss motivation. These are two very different (though causally related) phenomena. Some people get confused about the roles of thought and action in forming values and triggering emotions. I thought I'd sort...

The Value of Knowing Definitions

The Value of Knowing Definitions

When I was a graduate student studying Objectivism, my professor, Harry Binswanger, required that I memorize all of the definitions that are mentioned in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand. One or more of them appeared on every exam. Thanks to this assignment, I...

The 3-Minute Walk

The 3-Minute Walk

As soon as you finish reading this article, I recommend that you take out your smartphone, open the stopwatch app, start the timer, and then march out of the building. Keep going until the stopwatch hits 90 seconds, then turn around and come back. You will have...

How to Deal with a Defense Value of Approval

How to Deal with a Defense Value of Approval

When the desire for approval is driving many decisions, it is a "defense value." It distorts your choices and actions and undercuts your successes and sense of self. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be remedied by taking an active approach to reprogramming your...

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