Goals and motivation

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Photo of a bookstore entrance at night with people walking by and a person reading among book trolleys on the pavement.

The self

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What makes some of us crave self-insight more than others?

Some people have a powerful desire to understand themselves, but their path to self-knowledge is rarely straightforward

by Christoph Heine

Illustration of the solar system with planets in order of distance from the Sun on a dark background.

Learning and education

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The ‘secret strategy’ that could boost your ability to learn

It may sound illogical, but growing evidence shows the benefits of testing yourself before you start learning new material

by Ajdina Halilovic

Photo of a stone wall beside a sandy beach with calm sea under a cloudy sky sun peeking through a ship on the horizon.

Goals and motivation

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How to do mental time travel

Feeling overwhelmed by the present moment? Find a connection to the longer view and a wiser perspective on what matters

by Richard Fisher

A Nigerian ballerina in a white tutu dancing atop yellow minibuses in a crowded urban setting.

Dance

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Nigeria’s first ballet school brings tutus and joy to the streets of Lagos

Directed by Jacob Krupnick

Photo of a cafe interior with a person working on a laptop by a window, open door and street view with bicycle outside.

Goals and motivation

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How temptation works, and why it nearly stopped me writing this

Temptation can be sneaky – a rationalising voice that subtly undermines your resolve. But there are ways to outsmart it

by John Schwenkler

Black and white photo of two men in overalls standing before large industrial gears, each scratching his head.

Freedom and choice

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Why Charlie Chaplin was an ‘angel of peace’ for Walter Benjamin

Though a tramp and a misfit, Chaplin’s world fit him like a glove. His life of contingency appealed to the émigré Benjamin

by Eli Friedlander

Photo of an office viewed through glass showing a woman at a desk, cityscape reflected outside.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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How to stop living on auto-pilot

Are you going through the motions? Use these therapy techniques to set meaningful goals and build a ‘life worth living’

by Kiki Fehling

Close-up of feet in white trainers near four tennis balls on a blue tennis court, with blurred background of a few people.

Sports and games

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Passion, agility, invisibility – do you have what it takes to become a ball person?

Directed by Scott Lazer

Photo of a woman jogging along a riverside path in an urban area with tall buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Goals and motivation

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So-called ‘SMART goals’ are a case of style over substance

From fitness to finance, the SMART goal-setting method is ubiquitous, but often detrimental. There are better approaches

by Christian Swann

Photo of a solemn woman seen through glass, reflecting urban lights.

Goals and motivation

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Eight ways to give yourself a pep talk when you feel stuck

All of us could do with more words of encouragement and perspective, and they don’t need to come from another person

by Rachel Goldsmith Turow

Photo of a footballer lying on a pitch looking distressed with a child nearby holding a ball.

Sports and games

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How to be a better loser

As a competitor, you can’t avoid the hurt of losing. But you can learn ways to bounce back stronger and more motivated

by Blakely Low-Scott

Two sumo wrestlers and a referee on a sumo ring during a match, with spectators in the background at the 2019 World Sumo Championships.

Sports and games

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With a hushed intensity, Tuvsho finds her place in the sumo ring

Directed by George Thomson and Lukas Schrank