Can two people have a reasonable discussion without starting a yelling match? I’m an opinionated person, so it can be hard not to let my passions heat up an argument. However, by changing the way I handled debates, I can normally keep debates friendly. Is a friendly argument the norm? Definitely not. I’ve received many […]
Partying and Personal Development
Can partying be a source of self-improvement? Although I tend to write more about work and productivity, because those are my strengths, I’m probably a fairly typical student when it comes to partying and socializing with friends. Because of this I’ve been asked a number of times on how I feel this fits with the […]
Use People as an Intelligence Catalyst
Read your books, study the material and practice, practice, practice. That’s the way to learn, right? I think that viewpoint is a bit too simplistic. In reality, the people you surround yourself with can be a catalyst for learning. I believe this is true even if they never give you a lesson or memorable piece […]
Dodging Bullets: 7 Strategies to Handle Conflict
You need to be more assertive. Yet, less of an asshole. There’s a lot of conflicting information about how to handle conflict. Were told to be nice, just not a pushover. Remember the golden rule, but look out for number one. Be confident, just without all the arrogance. The result: meaningless platitudes that aren’t helpful […]
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.