Responding rather than reacting

Under particular circumstances (involving high anxiety or a major reward) our brains cause us to perceive the world around us in ways that contradict and distort objective reality. It's when we're most likely going to do something regrettable.

This shift in perception is unrelated to...

Some basic techniques we can apply to minimize the unintended problems:

1. Apply non-action: Not acting out the impulsive reaction that we think will solve a problem is often the simplest way to let it subside.
2. Think of the risks: What feels ri...

• Consider that any hierarchy creates winners and losers. The winners are more likely to justify the hierarchy and the losers to criticize it.
• Understand that hierarchy is inescapable. The pursuit of goals lends life meaning and the collective pursuit of goals produces hi...