Self-affirmations are a popular tool in self improvement. The basic idea is that we can adopt healthy, positive, and productive beliefs if we recite a belief enough times to ourselves. For example, if we repeat a thought like “I’m a smart and happy person” 20 times every morning, then we may begin to actually believe [...]

Sports psychology is an emerging field of study on how our minds can affect physical and athletic performance. According to Peter Crocker, a sports psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia, “Elite athletes have been using psychological techniques for years…it used to be that something had to be wrong for an athlete to [...]

We don’t always have to like someone for us to have love for them. Sure – it may not be “friendship” love or “family” love or “romantic” love. However, we can have “compassionate” love for anyone, despite any differences or shortcomings that person may have. Compassion is our ability to understand and sympathize with the [...]

A couple days ago I asked people on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to choose one mantra for the new year. Here are some of the responses I got. Feel free to share your own mantra in the comment section below. I’ll add my favorites to this post.

This article introduces the basic concept of “affirmations” – a tool in self improvement in which we recite certain thoughts and beliefs so that they take root in our subconscious mind. I point out some of the limitations behind how this technique is normally practiced, and some of the things we can do so that [...]