Ataraxy Friday Messages
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Life objectively good
Those two orange circles up there are the same size. I know it, you know it, and your eyes still don’t believe it. Surround something with bigger things and it shrinks. Surround it with smaller things and it grows. Your brain isn’t broken — it just refuses to measure anything except in relation to whatever’s standing next to it. That we perceive things in relative rather than absolute terms is a fact worth taking seriously. Just because you see something a certain way doesn’t make it true. Knowing the truth doesn’t change the experience. Even when you know for a fact that what you’re seeing isn’t real, the illusion persists. You can’t think your way out of it. Now. Do you think that effect is limited to your eyes? Your feelings work the
Recent Articles
Once Is Enough
Want less stress? Try these on for size. Two related concepts that work together to help improve your days – even the bad ones. Both attributed to Seneca and the Stoic tradition. The First: “We suffer more often in imagination
The workplace strategy hiding in plain sight
The best leaders, colleagues, and most trusted friends tend to share one trait: they’re genuinely happy in themselves. When people are emotionally self-aware, coherent, and resilient, everything improves. Workplace engagement rises. Psychosocial safety risks drop. Leadership divisions heal. Teams solve
Voice Matters
Courage requires fear. One of the activities I get my one-one coaching clients to do is to nudge them just a little out of their comfort zone. For example, what could happen “If I bring five percent more awareness to
Stoic Weekends
I’m feeling a little brain dead after a big couple of weeks. I’m busy with my clients and having fun – just hectic. As a result, this week I’m keeping it simple and brining you a couple of my favourite
“Why Should I?” Part 2
The Biology of “Us vs. Them” or “How to become a lonely cynic.” This is part 2 of exploring the “Why should I?” mentality. [Read part 1 here.] What happens in your brain when someone frustrates you? More than you
“Why Should I?” Part 1
The Hidden Trap in “Why Should I?” This is part 1 of exploring the “Why should I?” mentality. [Read part 2 here.] “Why should I be the one to reach out? Why should I carry their workload? Why should I
Just Show Up FFS
Many leaders I work with share the same frustration: “Just show up and get on with it!” They’re working long hours under intense pressure, hitting difficult targets and solving complex problems. They simply cannot afford to have people not showing
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