Your Only Competition Is You
A few years ago, I signed up for a triathlon. It was labeled a sprint—a “quick race” by triathletes, with half a mile of swimming, 10 miles of biking, and 3 miles of running. For me, this was huge. I’ve never been a runner—actually, I’d call what I do jogging at best. On a bike, […]
Take What You Need
This morning, I discovered someone new to me. He’s well-known for his activism and thoughts about how humans think and operate. Today was my first time hearing his words. Listening to his interviews and teachings felt inspiring. His words spoke to me, and my morning slowed down in a way that was really lovely. But […]
Managing the To-Do List
Today, like you, I have a list of things I need to do. I have to get out of bed. I have to get dressed. I have to feed myself. I have to exercise. The list goes on. We all know that feeling. And as the list builds, so can feelings of dread. The more […]
Creating Your Own Challenges
What am I asking for when I ask for self development? I’m asking for the energy to live and thrive in this world. I want to accomplish big goals and build a life filled with opportunities that I pursue. But strength—the kind that helps us accomplish and pursue—doesn’t come out of nowhere. It comes from […]
Handling Difficult Relationships Calmly
There are people I have to “get ready” for. I need to set my mind at ease before meeting them because they tend to trigger me. I might feel baited into arguments or discussions I didn’t want to be part of in the first place. I might get frustrated with passive-aggressive comments or even hate […]
Dealing with Disruption
I’ve developed a few routines for my day to help things go smoother—including some physical and mental exercises like planking, yoga, writing. I’ve done these long enough that I don’t need to think about it; I just move from one habit to the next. That’s what I love about repetition. But what happens when that […]
Actively Generate Motivation
This morning, I woke up needing a bit of a boost. I spent about half an hour listening to motivational speakers—lecturers, storytellers, even the occasional yeller—and watched some videos. It’s one of the ways I get myself going. I’ve realized that motivation doesn’t always show up just because I want it to. It’s something I […]
Coping with Setbacks
I used to hate the saying “two steps forward, one step back.” It always seemed unfair that after putting in all the effort to move ahead, I’d suddenly be dragged back again—like some invisible force kept holding me back. That one step back used to feel like failure, and it could be enough to make […]
How to Help When Someone’s Upset
I’ve heard it many times: when someone is upset, don’t offer solutions. Ironically, that idea seems to upset people. If someone I know is struggling and I can clearly see the solution, why wouldn’t I offer it? To understand this better, I thought about my own experiences. What happens when I’m upset? Say I tell […]
Stay Productive Through Intense Emotions
Today, I might not feel motivated to do my job. I might feel bored by the mundane tasks ahead or uninspired by the effort it takes to move through the day. I might not feel like working. But over the years, I’ve learned how to manage my emotions. Through consistent practice and training, I’ve worked […]
