Category

Optimism

Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part VII: Practice Makes Progress

It’s the last minute of the big basketball game. I watch a player set up for a 3-point shot. He misses. His face crumples, and he slumps onto the floor. I’ve seen him miss that shot in practice, but that time he fought for the rebound. Why did he bounce back in practice, but assume...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part VI: Act on Your Values

I hear the blaring alarm clock at the homeless shelter. It’s time for me to get up and prepare breakfast for the residents. I know that I should pop up and help, but I want to fake sleeping so I can rest longer. I know what I should do, but I’m tempted to act otherwise!...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part V: Learn from Everything

I wake up, the same as I do every morning, about to unthinkingly dive into my routine. Then it occurs to me: today doesn’t have to be just like yesterday! I can learn from everything! I hear a knock at the door and open it for the mail carrier. Instead of just accepting the package,...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part IV: Repair, Don’t Despair!

The client said, “I was livid with my boyfriend and he had no idea why. He was late for lunch, and I was ravenous. I blamed him for both my hunger and my rage. I grew increasingly frustrated when he appeared oblivious to my distress. The nerve!” Hoping someone will read your mind – or...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part III: Prove It!

Our current administration must cast the tie-breaking vote between the two senior class presidential nominees. Tristan is someone I can’t stand. As we discuss pros and cons for each person, I fire off every infraction and insult I’ve witnessed Tristan commit. When we discuss the other nominee, Helene, I scour my memory for every positive...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part II: Know Your Negatives

I feel fatigued, tingly, and thirsty. I think to myself, “I’m sick!” As I obsess over these symptoms, I fail to notice good stuff happening, like my boyfriend stroking my hair, or my friends laughing merrily as we watch the Super Bowl together. Due to the Negativity Bias, we tend to pay more attention to...
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Unleash Your Artistic Optimist, Part I: Brave the Here and Now

When I wake up and look out the window, I notice storm clouds. I feel my throat tighten and my face get hot, and think, “I don’t deserve a rainy day!” I feel foolish for harboring anger towards the impervious sky. I try to deny the irrational feeling, swallowing hard as my muscles tighten. Silently...
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How to Get from Gap Year to Growth Year: Be Prepared

Want to transform your growth year (a self-development-focused gap year) dreams into reality? You’ve come to the right place. In our Growth Year blog series, you’ve learned how to Be Strategic, how to Be Realistic, and how to Be Intentional. Your final key skill to learn is Be Prepared. With this last tool in your...
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How to Get from Gap Year to Growth Year, Step 3: Be Intentional

Read on if you’re leaning towards taking a growth year (a personal growth-oriented gap year). If you’ve been following our Growth Year series (you can get started here), you’ve learned how to Be Strategic (see Blog #1), how to Be Realistic (check out Blog #2), and you’re looking to make your next move. You’ve identified...
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How To Get From Gap Year To Growth Year, Step 2: Be Realistic

If you’re inclined to answer the question of, “To gap year, or not to gap year?” with “Gap year, heck yes!” read on (if undecided on the gap year question, click here). You are committed to designing next year as a self-selected project where you build skills and enhance your opportunities for the future. You...
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