Category Archives: Psychology

Selfish Expression

Posted on February 12, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Certain words or phrases, or demeanors, or attitudes convey certain things.  Your every action makes an expression, either bolstering or betraying you.  Stand up straight, look people in the eye, speak clearly and without hesitation, and people are inclined to … Continue reading →

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Fear and Fire

Posted on February 11, 2012 by AJ Kessler

“Fear is your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s like fire. If you can control it, it can cook for you; it can heat your house. If you can’t control it, it will burn everything around you and destroy … Continue reading →

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Mind Control

Posted on February 10, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Free will exists, right? We are in control of our own minds and thus our own actions? That’s what most of us like to believe, but what if a simple parasitic organism robbed us of at least part of that … Continue reading →

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Sustained Charity

Posted on February 6, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Most people think of charity is something to be done weekly, monthly, or yearly.  A tithe, or a purged closet to Goodwill, or serving Thanksgiving meals to the homeless. But charity can be practiced on a more immediate, more constant … Continue reading →

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The Tim Ferriss Falacy

Posted on February 5, 2012 by AJ Kessler

We’re now deep into the fourth generation of the self-help guru.  This generation shares much with its predecessors, including fondness for the shortcut.  People like Tim Ferriss have  made their name on finding and exploiting these shortcuts, or “hacks” as … Continue reading →

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Shut Up

Posted on February 4, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Michael Bloomberg shares some excellent advice: Always ask for the order, and second, when the customer says yes, stop talking.  I have watched more people make great presentations, whether they’re trying to sell to their family or in business or … Continue reading →

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Authenticity

Posted on February 3, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Inauthentic people are obsessed with authenticity. – Jonathan Frazen

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The Gambler

Posted on January 29, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Someone recently asked me how a certain card game was played.  “What’s the best hand?” she asked.  “What do you mean?” I asked back.  (Note that people don’t like to be asked questions back…)  She eventually asked what the best … Continue reading →

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Productive Procrastination

Posted on January 25, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Everyone needs a mental break at some point during the day.  It’s biological: mammals are programmed to experience two intensely sleepy periods during the day, the first between 2 and 4 am, and the second between 1 and 3 pm. … Continue reading →

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The Trouble With Expertise In Complex Fields

Posted on January 21, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Fresh out of law school, it’s easy to forget that, compared to the general population, you are already something of an expert.  You have the tools to search for, read, and understand just what the hell that legalese actually means.  … Continue reading →

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Racing To Not Fall Behind

Posted on January 18, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries, and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries. – Blaise Pascal, 17th Century We have now, as a society, reached a point of near constant and total … Continue reading →

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Fuck You. Pay Me.

Posted on April 12, 2011 by AJ Kessler

Though there’s some stuff in here I don’t necessarily agree with, a worthy watch for any creative: 2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from San Francisco Creative Mornings on Vimeo.

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