Five Easy Ways to Make Your Life Better for 7/26/20
Stop Giraffe Punching to Be More Tolerant, Less Stressed, Have a Better Outlook, and Be Happier Overall
(Self Helping Yourself | Steven Ray Marks)
Giraffe Punching is repeatedly lecturing an audience that already agrees with you, or telling them to stop doing something none of them are doing, in a condescending and insulting way.
The term comes from it being pointless to yell at people to stop punching giraffes.
This is something that everyone does, when they get frustrated by bad behavior in the world and then take it out on the wrong people.
But making a conscious effort to stop will make you happier, improve your relationships, and improve your perspective on the world.
How to Talk to People Who Disagree With You and Still Be Kind
(Tanya Basu | MIT Technology Review)
I changed the headline of this article.
It’s actually about talking to conspiracy theorists, but it’s excellent advice for talking to anyone who disagrees with you.
Speak respectfully, privately, and test the waters first.
Find an element you agree on.
Use a “truth sandwich” or Socratic method.
Be careful with loved ones, remember that some people don’t want to change, and if it gets bad, stop.
And remember that even if you don’t change someone’s mind, every pleasant interaction you have makes people more open to your view. (Though unpleasant interactions make them even more skeptical of your view.)
See also: How to Win Allies and How to Stop Making Enemies.
How Good Apologies Enhance Our Well-Being
(Molly Howes, Ph.D. | Mind Body Green)
Being more willing to genuinely apologize after wronging someone will lead to better relationships and increased self-respect.
It also provides a good example for children, helping them develop a sense of empathy.
A good apology involves understanding the other person’s injury, articulating sincere regret, making reparations, and making a plan so it doesn’t happen again.
25 Ways to Dramatically Increase Your Chances of Reaching Your Goals
(Ayodeji Awosika | Medium)
Some suggestions include:
Write your goals down. Get quick wins. Don’t brag about things you haven’t yet done. Focus on one thing at a time. And align goals with positivity.
I agree with most of the 25 items on this list, but not all of them. I suspect Awosika would be totally fine with that, since one of the items is “Don’t be a self-help robot.”
So pick and choose the suggestions that you think will work well for you.
5 Habits to Take Action Every Day
Henrik Edberg | Positivity Blog | Subscribe)
Change requires consistent daily action. But it can be hard to maintain motivation to keep that action going.
To fight this:
1. Focus on the process rather than results.
2. Remember why you are taking action.
3. Remember quitting or laziness will make you feel bad about yourself.
4. Take smaller steps on days when big ones seem too daunting.
5. Celebrate what you did each day.
Self Helping Yourself Tweet of the Week
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