Understand

All Guides

Illustration of a woman on a bench by a cityscape with a red sun and blooming branches, conveying serenity and nature.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

How to foster ‘shoshin’

It’s easy for the mind to become closed to new ideas. Cultivating a beginner’s mind helps us rediscover the joy of learning

by Christian Jarrett

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HABITS AND ROUTINES

How to read more books

Modern life can feel too frantic for books. Use these habit-building strategies to carve out time for the joy of reading

by Christian Jarrett

Painting of a man seated at a table next to a skull on books, with a patterned curtain in the background.
DEATH AND DYING

How to not fear your death

You exist, but one day you won’t. An Epicurean perspective can help you feel less afraid, and even grateful for life’s finitude

by Sam Dresser

Photo of a person walking by a Deutsche Bank sign on a sunlit wall, casting a shadow.
WORK AND VOCATION

How to get promoted as a woman

Own your ambitions, know your potential, seek mentors, and other advice for navigating around glass ceilings and cliffs

by Jan Hills

A woman using a phone stands beside a painting of a girl reading by candlelight.
FOCUS AND ATTENTION

How to be indistractable

Stop blaming technology – distraction starts within. Manage your inner triggers to enjoy greater focus and a fuller life

by Nir Eyal

Black and white photo of a woman leaning out of a window in a building with closed shutters.
FOCUS AND ATTENTION

How to wait well

Instead of fuming in subjugated irritation, turn wait times into chances to connect, muse and think big about the future

by Jason Farman

Watercolour painting of a person writing at a table with a cup, clock and decorative objects in a cosy room.
MEMOIR

How to heal through life writing

Learning to write about trauma helps you to process the painful experience, and gives you the life skills to overcome it

by Uddipana Goswami

Painting of a woman with reddish hair and flushed cheeks holding a white cloth to her mouth, with a soft, blurred background.
KNOWLEDGE AND REASON

How to know who’s trustworthy

Knotty problems call for sound advice. Use philosophy to find the intellectually dependable amid the frauds and egotists

by T Ryan Byerly

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RESILIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY

How to be resilient

Life is unpredictable. Brace yourself with a suite of coping mechanisms, internal and external, then deploy them flexibly

by Selda Koydemir

Illustration of a person at a desk with paperwork in a question mark shape, phone, coffee cup and cookies on a yellow background.
LEARNING AND EDUCATION

How to plan a research project

Whether for a paper or a thesis, define your question, review the work of others – and leave yourself open to discovery

by Brooke Harrington

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GOALS AND MOTIVATION

How to channel boredom

Feeling bored? Learn how to use that discomfort to switch up a gear and regain control over your life and your interests

by James Danckert & John Eastwood

Photo of a single hot air balloon in a clear blue sky with light clouds.
GOALS AND MOTIVATION

How to let go of a lifelong dream

Adaptability is as much of a virtue as grit. Overcome any feelings of loss or failure by pivoting toward a new passion

by Christian Jarrett

Abstract painting with colourful overlapping straight and curved lines on a light background.
CREATIVITY

How to be lucky

Most of us think that luck just happens (or doesn’t) but everyone can learn to look for the unexpected and find serendipity

by Christian Busch

Vintage poster by Roger Broders showing a seaside scene with sunbathers and swimmers on Antibes beach.
LEARNING AND EDUCATION

How to learn a language (and stick at it)

Forget about fluency and how languages are taught at school: as an adult learner you can take a whole new approach

by John Gallagher

Black and white photo of a diver mid-flight parallel to a crouched swimmer on a diving board against a plain background.
CHANGE AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT

How to motivate yourself to change

Change is hard, but it’s possible. Use motivational interviewing techniques to build your confidence, and take the plunge

by Angela Wood & Ralph Wood

Black and white photo of people in a bustling bar, a man lighting a cigarette at a table with drinks and snacks.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

How to think like a detective

The best detectives seem to have almost supernatural insight, but their cognitive toolkit is one that anybody can use

by Ivar Fahsing