Self-improvement
Stop being ‘too nice’ at work, says psychologist—this is what successful people do to be more genuine, trustworthy
Social discomfort is so universal that social psychologists like me have made careers out of studying it. We can find it almost anywhere, like in salary negotiations or small talk conversations that have one too many awkward pauses. Almost everyone will at some point find themselves in an interaction that makes them feel uncomfortable. And […]
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I’ve been a psychologist for 20 years—parents who raise emotionally savvy kids do these 4 things
When it comes to protecting your child’s mental health, emotional resilience is key. Not only do resilient kids bounce back from disappointment, but they’re also less likely to become depressed, anxious, or self-critical. As a psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience, I’ve seen how kids with emotional grit often have one thing in common: […]
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I’m a psychologist who studies couples—5 ‘hard truths’ about marriage most people learn too late in life
Marriage is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys in life. While we often enter it with high expectations, the reality is that marriage is a lifelong learning process. As a psychologist who studies couples every day, I’ve worked with many people who only come to understand the toughest marriage lessons after they’ve experienced […]
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‘We are facing an epidemic of demoralization,’ says happiness expert—here’s how to fight that feeling
“I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m just one person. There’s nothing I can do.” “I want to give up.” As a happiness researcher who’s spent a decade studying the science of well-being, I’ve received hundreds of messages like these. I see the same feeling expressed, over and over again — but never with a name attached to it. […]
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People who are truly content with life do these 10 little things every day: Ivy League-trained happiness expert
When life gets complicated, our instincts often lead us down the wrong path. We isolate ourselves when community could heal us, or we dream of endless free time when a new challenge could fulfill us. I’ve spent 15 years studying happiness, and I’ve had the opportunity to speak with thousands of people across all walks […]
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I’m a nutritionist from Japan, home to the world’s longest-living people—9 Costco foods I always trust
Growing up in Japan, home to some of the world’s longest-living people, I fell in love with traditional Japanese food at a young age. My passion for clean and healthy eating is what inspired me to be a nutritionist. My diet has always been centered around nutritious, longevity-fueling and environmentally-friendly foods. Now living in the […]
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I’m from Japan, home to some of the world’s longest living people: What I eat for breakfast every day
When I moved from Japan to the U.S. in the 1990s, it wasn’t always easy to get the ingredients I knew and loved. But there were some staples that were easier to come by, like whole grains and beans. From there, I built my favorite breakfast: brown rice, beans, “natto” (fermented soybeans), “nukazuke” (pickled vegetables), […]
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I’ve written over 175 books, though I never set out to be an author: Creativity ‘has absolutely nothing to do with IQ’
Over the last 45 years, I have written and published over 175 books for adults and children. Sometimes the number surprises me, as I didn’t set out to be an author. Early on in my career, I realized that being a successful writer wasn’t just about crafting compelling stories. I needed to be a sponge, […]
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5 phrases the most mentally strong people use to spark happiness in hard times, from an expert
Do you smile every time you hear a specific song, or light up when you see a certain old friend? Those are both what I like to call happiness sparks. We need them now more than ever to thrive despite challenges, distractions, and overwhelming current events. Unfortunately, as I wrote in my recent book, “The […]
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To influence people, make 3 simple changes to how you talk, says executive coach: Success ‘depends on your ability to persuade’
Why do decision-makers at work really choose one person for a role over another? What actually makes them trust someone’s judgment? How do they decide in practice who to tap for important opportunities? For the last 12 years, I’ve coached top performers at some of the world’s largest and most competitive Fortune 500 companies. As […]
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