It’s easy to get frustrated. Any emotional hiccup can send us spiraling for hours. Even if we assume –like an insane person– that we won’t make any mistakes, then our big goals will still take longer than expected. We’ve got to learn to expect it. Expect that things will take 3-5 times longer than you …
There’s a song that I like to listen to when I confront the truth about my limitations: I will never be a professional athlete, world’s tallest person, or royalty of any kind. Over time, these illusions are stripped from us one by one. Recognizing them requires the wisdom of experience and unflinching self-honesty. These truths can be painful …
The window of tolerance describes the state of being when we are calm, tranquil, and relaxed. When we are in the window of tolerance, we are functioning free from the negative impacts of stress. Stress alters our internal frequency, pushing us out of the window. Stress drives our thoughts, feelings, and physiology toward extremes; into …
Situation I first notice that I’m starting to breathe heavily. My mind is racing and jumping. I feel like I’m doing a lot. Tons of pressure. But I’m just sitting on the floor, listening to a podcast. I want to be up; doing other things. More interesting things than just sit in this empty room …
Repetitive motion releases neurochemicals that help us self-regulate attention and maintain alertness. My mind is constantly moving very quickly and I need to spend some time every day getting my body to match that speed. Body and mind are inseparable. The body is a reflection of our unconscious mind; a clear indication of our self-concept. …
Anxiety and panic are different. For example, panic attacks can strike without apparent warning, while anxiety can often be linked to explicit triggers and build gradually. Despite these differences, they share similar characteristics; feeling like you have no control, you are behind, and overwhelmed by consequences. How can we detect these negative feelings in order …
Atypicals don’t like to organize. In fact, we’d do almost anything to avoid it. Seems like a waste of time. “I should be DOING!” It’s a need to stay in motion. It’s also a lack of thinking ahead. The present is what’s important and the future may never arrive, so toss it on one of …
Do I have ADHD? The symptoms of ADHD can be experienced by anyone, but those with a diagnosable condition experience them with greater regularity and severity. For atypicals, the symptoms of ADHD have a noticeable impact on our daily lives. Therefore treatment can be beneficial for everyone, but atypicals will experience more noticeable improvements. For …
Constraints improve creativity Often, we feel like our impulses must be totally free in order to reach our best result. The truth is that clear parameters make tasks manageable and direct the chaos of our creative impulses toward meaningful purpose. Not long ago I needed a book description for Amazon and I was thinking, “this …
For many of us, external expectations are most intense and numerous in the workplace. Demands are rigid and consequences can be serious. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and dread; particularly for high-stakes situations like performance reviews, client negotiations, and other meetings. All of these situations require us to bring our A-game, even when anxiety …
