There are plenty of different standardized tests: SAT, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT as well as hundreds more for specific classes, fields and specialties. In many cases, the thought of preparing for big tests like this can fill you with anxiety, as you imagine going up against hundreds or thousands of other students in a high-pressure environment. […]
How Procrastination Can Help You Succeed
Most people think of procrastination as always a bad thing. You procrastinate on doing your work. You wait until the night before the exam to study. You put off paying bills, doing chores or going to the dentist. But procrastination can also be a very useful behavior, if you procrastinate on the right things. In […]
The Path to Happiness: Do What You Love, Not What You Like
I spend a lot of time thinking about optimizing my life. Sometimes that’s towards optimizing to achieve some other goal—strengthen my business, get in better shape or have better relationships. However, the ultimate goal is to be happy and fulfilled, so why not optimize for that more directly? I think an easy way to optimize […]
The Overkill Approach: How to Solve the Hardest Problems You Face
Do a search online for any kind of “how to” question, and what do you notice? Most, if not all, of the searches you’ll do will lead to answers that explain “what” you should do. Which method you should use, where to do it, what materials, etc. Far less of the advice will focus on […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.