Texts that changed the way I write, run my business and live my life. — In 2019, I set a goal to read 100 books — but unfortunately, I fell short. Due to a combination of illness, personal challenges, and plain old lack of motivation, I only read around 77. But 77 books is still enough to feel the books blur together. Rather, to feel…

Stop and try this next time you feel angry or overwhelmed — One of the many things the Buddha taught his students was “the four disciplines.” Sister Dang Nghiem explains them thus: there are four disciplines, two related to happiness and two related to negativity. Do things that will lead to positive emotions (happiness) When you are happy, notice and be thankful …

Social media tricks you into thinking it’s helping you cope when it’s actually what’s causing your problems — “A fish doesn’t know it’s in water.” My father said this to me frequently when I was young. A fish doesn’t know it’s in water — and like fish, we don’t know we’re in water either. Lifelong Los Angeles natives think heavy traffic is normal, poor people think a perpetual…

Running my own passive income online business was my fondest dream for my entire life. I mean my entire life — I remember being in second grade, organizing binders full of business ideas and fantasizing about becoming a millionaire CEO one day. (Yes, I was an insufferable child). Since I…

Stop letting your subconscious opinions distort your perception — We all want to believe that we’re rational and unbiased when it comes to observing the world around us, but many of us are unconsciously influenced by our biases and prejudices. Unless we’ve been specifically trained to check the facts and observe impartially, it’s easy to form opinions based on…

This common writing advice can be dangerous for some writers — If you asked what the most common writing advice on the internet is, the answer would be to write every day. If you’re a writer, you already know this. You’ve set daily word count goals for yourself, probably more than a few times, only to fall off the wagon. You…

Only writers who master this new technology will survive — There has been much bellyaching recently about how AI-assisted writing will ruin the professional landscape for writers and potentially even destroy the craft itself. Critics have argued against AI-assisted writing on the grounds that it will diminish the importance of the writing process as an intellectual and creative activity. They…

Unlock the power of minimalism for true personal growth — Many people view minimalism as a trend or a lifestyle, followed by an odd minority interested in minimalistic interior design or nomadic lifestyles. The mainstream view of minimalism is as an aesthetic, not a philosophy. …

Why self-reflection and emotional maturity are essential for following your heart effectively — Trusting one’s gut or following one’s heart is common advice many swear by. In media, main characters in dramas will turn to supporting characters and ask, tearfully, “What should I do?” The supporting character almost always responds quietly, “Your heart knows what to do.” Cue the main character running off…