Understanding Human Psychology

  Ever noticed how tasks feel easier when you have a friend by your side? Science backs this up! A fascinating 2008 study from the University of Virginia explored this concept using a simple yet powerful experiment. Participants were asked to estimate the steepness of a hill, first alone and then with a friend standing next to them. The results? When people stood alone, they perceived the hill as steeper and more challenging. But with a friend by their side, the hill appeared less daunting. The longer they had known their friend, the less steep the hill seemed! ( https://uvamagazine.org/articles/jack_needs_jill_to_get_up_the_hill ) This study highlights an essential truth—having social support alters our perception of difficulty. It’s not just about emotional encouragement; our brain literally sees the challenge differently when we’re not facing it alone. No wonder workplace collaboration is such a game-changer! Working with colleagues whom you are comfortable with—those who ha...

For the longest time, I believed happiness was about personal achievements—hitting career milestones, buying things I loved, or having free time to relax. While these brought temporary joy, something always felt missing. Over time, I realized that the deepest, most lasting happiness comes from finding a purpose and using it to serve others. Purpose isn’t just about passion. It’s about impact. It’s that feeling of knowing that what you do makes a difference. When you align your skills, talents, and values with something larger than yourself, happiness takes on a different meaning. It stops being fleeting and becomes a steady presence in your life. Think of doctors who dedicate themselves to healing, teachers who shape young minds, or artists who inspire with their work. They don’t just do a job; they fulfill a purpose that improves the lives of others. And in return, they feel a profound sense of joy and fulfillment. I have seen this shift happen in people around me. A friend who tra...

I recently came across this quote by Daniel Gilbert (American social psychologist and writer): "We assume that what we feel as we imagine the future is what we’ll feel when we get there. But, in fact, what we feel as we imagine the future is often a response to what’s happening in the present." It made me pause. Oh yes, we all do this so often! We think about an upcoming event—a big presentation, a career change, a life milestone—and we already decide how we’ll feel about it. If we’re anxious today, we assume the future will be just as overwhelming. If we’re excited, we picture only success. But is that really how things work? It’s like standing on a hill, looking at a distant city. On a foggy day, the city looks gloomy and unclear. On a bright, sunny day, the same city appears warm and inviting. The city itself hasn’t changed—only the way we see it has. Similarly, when we imagine the future, we aren’t predicting reality; we are filtering it through our present emotions ...

I thought traveling with my child would be smooth—fun, even. I imagined picturesque moments, laughter, and seamless transitions. But reality? It was difficult . We don’t travel often, and when we did, my child wasn’t used to new places, new faces, or a shift from her familiar world. She withdrew, cried, threw tantrums. At first, I felt irritated, even embarrassed. I wanted this trip to be a break for me, but instead, I was navigating meltdowns in an unfamiliar setting. Yet, something shifted. Instead of holding onto frustration, I saw things through her eyes. Her world is built on routine—her grandparents, her school, her safe little bubble. Suddenly, she was in a different place with different people, and it was overwhelming. So, I adjusted. I found ways to make the trip enjoyable for her, offering little moments of familiarity amidst the newness. I carved out time just for her—watching her delight in a playground, get mesmerized by the waves by the beach, and find her rhythm in...

 I  was having a conversation with someone who admitted, “I procrastinate. I just don’t take action.” They told me they wait for the right time—the time when they can dedicate hours to a task and complete it in one go. If they don’t have enough time, they’d rather not start at all. I asked them, “But what happens when life puts a full platter in front of you? You can’t eat it all at once, right?” That made them pause. “Then what would you do?” I continued. “Wouldn’t it be better to take one bite at a time?” That’s the key—just begin. Start small and digest it piece by piece. Change your surroundings one step at a time. Tackle a project by breaking it into sections. If you want to build a habit, start with five minutes a day instead of waiting for the perfect schedule. I could see the shift in their perspective. The weight of the task wasn’t the problem—it was the mindset of all-or-nothing. Taking smaller steps makes any challenge feel manageable. By the end of our...