Including one that completely changed my life — A friend of James Clear’s once suggested that he occasionally asked himself the following question: “What am I really trying to achieve here?” Whenever he remembers to do it, he finds the question generates useful answers. …

A story of an addict turned doctor and neuroscientist — Warning: The language in this article may trigger anyone who has ever struggled with opiates. Sitting at the back of the bus, I’m both excited and afraid. Am I going to die from a heroin overdose? Or am I going to have the best night of my life? …

Eye-opening messages in case you need a push right now — Nine years ago, my life was in the gutter. But after 15 years of addiction, a near-death experience gave me the wake-up call I finally needed. …

Those who succeed have divergent thinking — Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy was built on a willingness to put himself in the middle of the battle. In one of his most memorable speeches, Roosevelt captured his philosophy on life in just a few sentences. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the…

3 powerful metaphors to help you see the world more clearly — In John F. Kennedy’s speech about the Space Race, he announced that “America has tossed its cap over the wall of space.” JFK used this metaphor as a declaration for taking charge of the race. It’s a beautiful turn of phrase that epitomizes the power of metaphors. Metaphors, however, can…

If you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you’re right. — When our minds hold onto negative beliefs, “I can’t cope, I’m a failure,” it looks for ways to sustain these beliefs. Thankfully, when we hold onto positive beliefs, “I can do anything I put my mind to,” the same rules apply. In his exceptional book, The Magic of Thinking Big…

Plus 7 of the best that will help you to make sense of reality — Two young fish are swimming along when they happen to meet an older, wiser fish swimming the other way. The older fish nods and says, “Good morning boys. How’s the water?” The two young fish smile, nod, and continue on their way. …

And how to say no to this unhealthy behaviour — Whitney Cummings is a highly successful comedian from Los Angeles. From 2011 to 2013, she produced and starred in her own comedy show called Whitney. During this time, however, she nearly destroyed her show because she was plagued by the toxic habit of people-pleasing. “I was so afraid of people…

Powerful scientific evidence from an addict turned brain scientist. — I spent most of my life mindlessly obsessing about the past and the future. I was consumed by anxiety and tormented by my mind, but completely unaware of the source of my suffering. To escape my pain, I used drugs, resulting in 15 years of chronic heroin addiction. Heroin brought…