The path to less stress? Strategic pessimism.

The key to happiness is being less optimistic and accepting a certain amount of unhappiness.

  • The centuries old philosophy of Stoicism may hold the key to a kind of happiness that is more grounded in reality.
  • The two main ideas of stoic happiness are that problems are caused by your reactions to events not the events themselves, and the only things you can control are your thoughts and your actions.
  • Choosing strategic pessimism over optimism and positive thinking is one way to avoid "unnecessary disturbance and anxiety."
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philosophy brain consciousness emotions happiness mental health mind religion psychology relationships self failure life

Age gives you an edge in the workplace. Here’s how.

60 is the new 30, says Melanie Katzman. Embrace your age and the benefits that come with it.

  • Melanie Katzman has 30 years of experience in her field, yet was advised to tell people she had just 20 years of experience so she wouldn't seem too out of touch.
  • Katzman strongly disagrees with that assessment of age in the workplace. Rather than see it as a liability, older professionals should embrace their age and experience. They can see patterns more broadly, plus they have deep network connections, information, and the desire to be generous.
  • "Research shows us that generativity flows downhill," says Katzman. "... New recruits and aging boomers can really change the world together but we have to not be afraid of stating our age."
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How to get ahead in work and life, according to a dominatrix

The dominatrix profession demands a mastery of human psychology and the ability to command life's many challenges.

(Photo: Pxhere)
  • Professional dominatrixes develop an intuitive understanding of the human psyche at its most revealing.
  • The techniques pro-dommes use to control their clients can be translated to other endeavors, especially finances and work.
  • Studying the principles of these techniques can help anyone improve a craft or skill.
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communication creativity finance happiness leadership life money personal growth personality psychology

The worst time of middle age? When you’re 47.

Researcher discovers a universal slump in life satisfaction.

Image source: National Bureau Of Economic Research, ©2020 David G. Blanchflower/Milan Ilic Photographer/Shutterstock/Big Think
  • In 132 countries, a clear U shape is seen in happiness in the late 40s.
  • The study controls for influencing factors in arriving at its conclusions.
  • Three possible reasons for a post-middle-age return to happiness are suggested.
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happiness depression emotions life personal growth goal-setting middle age aging

The psychology of magic: Where do we look for meaning in life?

The desperate search for a narrative opens the door to the wonders of magic.

  • By embracing a rational approach to life, society at large has stripped away meaning from psychologically important elements of life, including death.
  • A lack of meaning leads to discomfort, which results in a desperate search for narrative in things that feel transcendent and bigger than ourselves.
  • For some, the wonder of magic fills that void and provides the meaning and structure that has been lost.
  • Derren returns to the stage with his new live, one-man show, Showman. Check it out here.
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magic psychology death life emotions fear future brain happiness