10x your mind

10x Your Mind focuses on enhancing cognitive functions, decision-making, and emotional well-being through understanding and combating cognitive biases, improving lifestyle habits, embracing emotional intelligence, and promoting brain health. It merges scientific insights with practical advice to foster mental clarity, resilience, and productivity.

Cognitive Biases Brain Health Emotional Intelligence Lifestyle Improvement Decision Making Mental Clarity Productivity Techniques Well-being

The hottest Substack posts of 10x your mind

And their main takeaways

Transforming negative emotions

119 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions Mental health Personal Growth
  1. We tend to absorb the emotions of those around us, known as Emotional Contagion. It's important to manage negative emotions for our own well-being and for those around us.
  2. When dealing with negative emotions, it's crucial to first accept and embrace them before figuring out how to handle them.
  3. Instead of conserving or transferring negative energy, the best approach is to transform it into something positive and creative. This can help us grow and evolve into better versions of ourselves.

Be in control

119 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Decision-making Self-Control Personal Growth
  1. Being in control of our lives is crucial because decisions shape our future.
  2. The 10-10-10 framework helps in decision-making by considering how you'll feel in 10 mins, 10 months, and 10 years.
  3. The power of making the right decision lies within you, as each individual has a unique mindset and perspective.

Second chances

179 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs
  1. It's okay to break the rules for grabbing a second chance in life. It's worth it.
  2. Life gives you second chances. Believe in them and be ready to grab them.
  3. Don't lose hope if things don't go your way the first time. Second chances exist for dream jobs, raises, weight goals, homes, and love.
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Purpose anxiety

99 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-discovery Life Satisfaction Personal Growth Mental well-being
  1. Purpose anxiety is the fear of not knowing your purpose in life, which can lead to emotional distress and depression. Finding your purpose can bring contentment, confidence, and optimism.
  2. Having a purpose in life is closely related to self-actualization and is an important ingredient for reaching one's full potential.
  3. To deal with purpose anxiety: rephrase the question from 'What's my purpose in life?' to 'What all really matters to me?', avoid comparing yourself to others, and be open to reinventing yourself. Remember, there's no deadline to discover your purpose.

I knew it all along 🤓—Hindsight bias

259 implied HN points • 02 Jun 22
  1. Hindsight bias is when we believe we predicted past events accurately after the outcome is known.
  2. People tend to revise their past beliefs when new information comes to light, contributing to the hindsight bias.
  3. To minimize hindsight bias, question your actions based on past predictions and avoid phrases like 'I knew it' or 'I told you so.'

Reinventing yourself time and again

99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Development Emotional Well-being Physical Fitness Self-Improvement Relationships
  1. Reinventing yourself professionally, emotionally, and physically is essential. Adapting and evolving will be crucial in the future.
  2. Reinvention is not limited to your career. It includes improving physical fitness, pursuing personal goals, and nurturing meaningful relationships.
  3. It's never too late to reinvent yourself and make significant positive changes in your life.

Boosting productivity with the FUI framework

59 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity Mindfulness Self-care Time management Motivation
  1. Boost productivity with the FUI framework by creating a table with columns 'What', 'Why', 'F', 'U', and 'I' to prioritize tasks.
  2. Focus on tasks that are feasible, urgent, and important (FUI) to achieve maximum productivity.
  3. Take breaks, stay hydrated, and celebrate accomplishments to maintain motivation and productivity throughout the day.

The imperfectly perfect diary

139 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity Self-reflection
  1. Sometimes we delay using special items for something 'perfect' when using them for everyday things could be just as rewarding.
  2. We often focus on refining our work to perfection and hesitate to share it, but imperfections can be appreciated by others.
  3. Don't let the quest for perfection hold you back from starting or sharing. It's okay to start imperfectly and improve along the way.

Clear your mind the ‘write’ way

59 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mindfulness Stress management Creativity Productivity Social Connections
  1. Utilize mind dumping to declutter your thoughts, reduce stress, and regain focus by letting all your thoughts out on paper or screen.
  2. Try free writing to tap into your creativity, explore your thoughts, and overcome writer's block by letting your ideas flow without judgment or editing.
  3. Engage in action-oriented writing to regain control, prioritize tasks, and make progress toward your goals by following a structured approach after a mind dump.

Summon motivation at will

79 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation Mind-Body Connection Personal Development
  1. The 3C Model of Motivation breaks down motivation into three key elements: Head, Heart, and Hand.
  2. The ideal scenario for peak motivation is when a task aligns with all three elements of the 3C Model - Head, Heart, and Hand.
  3. For tasks that lack full alignment with the 3C Model, strategies like finding enjoyment, improving skills, or reprioritizing can help boost motivation.

Skills we need for the AI-driven world

79 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🚌 Education Skills Learning Development Curriculum Critical Thinking
  1. Machines are advancing rapidly, and we need to identify skills to stay relevant amidst automation.
  2. Skills like smarter decision-making, clarity in thinking, and asking the right questions are crucial for navigating the AI-driven world.
  3. Emotional intelligence and the ability to reinvent ourselves are becoming increasingly important in the face of evolving technology.

Befriending Stress

59 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Stress management Physical health Self-care
  1. Stress can be reframed as a challenge rather than a threat, similar to how a lion perceives the chase differently from a gazelle.
  2. Accepting and acknowledging stress can prepare the mind to tackle it effectively and find solutions.
  3. Focus on what you can control when addressing stress, taking action on the most impactful steps within your reach.

Mind chargers—Discover your daily energy boosters

39 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Physical health
  1. Small moments of connection, like hugs from loved ones, can provide instant mental recharges and lift spirits.
  2. Spending time in nature or engaging in creative activities can rejuvenate the mind and offer a unique source of energy.
  3. Reflecting on activities that fuel or drain you can help prioritize what boosts your energy to maintain a balanced and uplifted mental state.

Fixing burnouts — 7 types of rest

59 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Rest Burnout Social
  1. There are seven different types of rest that humans need: physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social, and spiritual.
  2. Recognize the signs of each type of rest needed, like feeling physically exhausted for physical rest or lacking new ideas for creative rest, and find appropriate remedies.
  3. Prioritize taking care of yourself by understanding and fulfilling the various types of rest that you require for a more rested and revitalized self.

Gullible, me? No way! 🤷🏻‍♀️— Anchoring bias

199 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology Self-Improvement Decision-making Physical activity Personal Growth
  1. Anchors influence our decision-making more than we realize, affecting things like budgeting, salary setting, and party planning.
  2. The anchoring bias can lead us to make decisions based on irrelevant or absurd information, impacting negotiation outcomes and everyday choices.
  3. To counter the anchoring bias, it's beneficial to make the first offer in negotiations, delay important decisions to avoid impulse buys, and use anchors to set higher personal standards for growth.

Sugar and your mind — Quitting added sugars

139 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Lifestyle Fitness Diet
  1. Reducing added sugars can lead to decreased sugar cravings, making it easier to avoid unhealthy sugary foods.
  2. High intake of added sugars can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and brain fog.
  3. It's beneficial to identify your motivation for reducing added sugars, find healthier alternatives for sugar cravings, and indulge in sweets after intense exercise.

More alertness 🧘🏻‍♀️, less distractions

139 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental well-being
  1. Implement 4-7-8 breathing technique for relaxation and mental sharpness; it's versatile and quick.
  2. Combat sleep inertia by waking up at the end of a sleep cycle, maintaining consistency, and letting in natural light to increase alertness in the mornings.
  3. Utilize tools like Forest app to focus on tasks, Todoist for decluttering your mind with to-do lists, and Calm app for recharging your mind with meditation and sleep aid.

‘Our boys didn’t die in vain’ syndrome

99 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Mental health Personal Development
  1. In various aspects of life, people tend to continue with actions or projects even when it is clear that they are not yielding positive results. This mentality of persisting to prove that initial efforts were not in vain can be detrimental and should be avoided.
  2. Admitting mistakes and making necessary changes is crucial for personal and professional growth. It is essential to recognize when it's time to pivot, reframe problems, or let go of unproductive situations.
  3. It is never too late to make positive changes, whether in work or personal life. Recognizing when to quit something toxic or unproductive is empowering and can lead to better outcomes in the long run.

I see only what I believe 👀—Confirmation bias

179 implied HN points • 26 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Confirmation bias can lead us to see what we want to believe, ignoring information that contradicts our beliefs
  2. First impressions often stick with us and can shape our beliefs about others
  3. To counter confirmation bias, it's important to seek out diverse perspectives and give people a chance to show different sides of themselves

Six months from now

99 implied HN points • 24 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Personal Growth Wellness Tips Healthy Habits
  1. Stretching yourself can have both positive and negative consequences, so it's important to be mindful of when it's beneficial or harmful.
  2. Building a line of communication with your future self, particularly the one six months from now, can help you make better decisions today.
  3. Consider using platforms like futurme.org to write letters to your future self, as it can provide valuable insights and help you gauge the impact of your current actions.

The book with my name in it

99 implied HN points • 03 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-help Inspiration Mental health Motivation Personal Development
  1. Writing something that inspires others can lead to unexpected and meaningful connections, like having your name mentioned in a book
  2. Receiving or giving a good pep talk can help in improving confidence and motivation, especially when facing setbacks
  3. Key elements of a good pep talk include purpose, empathy, and providing perspective or direction tailored to the audience

Everyone’s watching me 😳 — Spotlight effect

139 implied HN points • 14 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Improvement Psychology Personal Growth Self-care
  1. The spotlight effect makes us believe others are paying more attention to us than they actually are. People are generally focused on themselves rather than scrutinizing every detail about us.
  2. We have an egocentric bias that leads us to think others care more about our actions than they actually do. Most people are too focused on their own insecurities to notice ours.
  3. Free yourself from the spotlight effect by being aware that people don't judge us as much as we think. Embrace being unapologetically yourself and pursue your goals without worrying about others' opinions.

Can we delay mental aging? 👦🏻 → 🧓🏻 → 👴🏻

119 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Cognitive abilities Physical activity Brain health
  1. Scientists are researching ways to delay mental aging by stopping the brain's self-destructive repair mechanism, promoting the growth of new neurons, and restoring lost neurons by injecting new cells.
  2. Growing smarter with age is possible, with cognitive abilities like orientation and focus improving with practice until the mid-to-late 70s.
  3. Engaging in regular aerobic activities, such as running or HIIT workouts, can delay mental aging and improve brain health by releasing growth factors that stimulate the growth of new brain cells.

Don't tell me what to do 😡 — Reactance bias

119 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Well-being Mental health Decision-making Personal Growth
  1. People often react adversely when told what to do, leading to the reactance bias where they do the opposite just to assert their freedom of choice
  2. Feeling out of control can increase the desire to go against restrictions, like strict rules on teenagers may push them to break them
  3. Having many options can create a sense of security, even if some features may never be used, leading to biased buying decisions

How you work is how you eat

59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Mental health Physical health Wellbeing Self-care
  1. The type of food you crave after a task reflects how enjoyable or boring the task was - more boring tasks lead to craving unhealthy foods.
  2. Mental energy is vital for self-control and decision-making, and the brain consumes significant energy, influencing food choices.
  3. Engaging in interesting and challenging work situations can lead to a 'flow' state where creativity and productivity thrive without the need for self-control.

Three biggest productivity myths

59 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity Myths Work Fun Action
  1. Having fun doesn't necessarily mean you're wasting time; it can also stimulate creativity and problem-solving.
  2. Merely staying busy without achieving tangible results is a form of 'fake work' that hinders productivity.
  3. True productivity lies in creating and sharing your work with others, not just getting lost in planning or research.

When to, when not to use AI for writing

59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Writing
  1. AI can be used for generating content efficiently, but it's crucial to remember that for some, writing is a personal and thoughtful process that can't be outsourced to technology.
  2. AI tools like GPT-3 can help spark creative ideas or simplify complex concepts, making them valuable for various tasks beyond just writing.
  3. When writing aims to express personal thoughts, connect with others, or unwind, relying on the human mind rather than AI can bring a unique and authentic touch to the content.

The happiness series — What makes us happy?

79 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Happiness Self
  1. Achieving the flow state involves becoming fully engrossed in an activity, disconnecting from the outside world, and losing track of time and place.
  2. Feeling one with oneself is essential for attaining the flow state, and it involves letting go of self-doubt and enjoying the experience without limitations.
  3. Having a certain level of expertise, a clear goal, and feedback are prerequisites for entering the flow state, while self-growth through constant improvement leads to more rewarding experiences.

5 ways to slow aging

79 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Diet Exercise Longevity Lifestyle
  1. Slowing aging isn't just about increasing lifespan, it's also about improving healthspan.
  2. Skipping a meal randomly can help reduce calorie intake and potentially increase longevity.
  3. Adopting a Mediterranean diet, quitting added sugars, and making your home junk food free are beneficial for health and longevity.

Certainly uncertain

59 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Improvement Mindfulness
  1. In uncertain situations, taking time to think, analyze, and seek input can lead to finding the best solutions.
  2. Embracing uncertainty can lead to creativity and innovative problem-solving.
  3. Understanding the different types of uncertainty through the "known unknowns" matrix can help in navigating through and addressing uncertainties.

I’m a copycat 🙀 — Bandwagon effect

99 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Trends Social media Influencers Pop culture
  1. The bandwagon effect is when people follow trends or make decisions based on what others are doing, without considering personal preferences.
  2. It's important to distinguish between following popular opinions and seeking expertise when making decisions, especially in high-stakes situations.
  3. While we may naturally tend to follow the crowd, we can use the bandwagon effect positively by surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us and help us grow.