The hottest Personal Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

How to Write Headlines That Drive More Clicks — Interview with Derek Hughes

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 799 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🚌 Education Writing Skills Content creation Online Learning Personal Development
  1. Your headline is really important; it's the first thing people see and can make them want to read more.
  2. Many people only read the headline and skip the rest, so making it catchy is key to getting clicks.
  3. Practicing writing headlines and getting feedback can help you improve and attract more readers.

Career advice: Learn how to write

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🚌 Education Writing Skills Career Advice Communication Personal Development Critical Thinking
  1. Writing is a valuable skill, even with AI around. Good writing helps you communicate better in teams and makes your work more effective.
  2. Practice makes perfect when it comes to writing. The more you write, the better you'll become at organizing your thoughts and expressing them clearly.
  3. Strong writing skills help you think clearly. Writing forces you to clarify your ideas, making it an essential tool for problem-solving.

30-day challenge

Austin Kleon • 5875 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Personal Development Writing Motivation
  1. Doing something small every day can lead to big changes over time. Just like writing a page a day can add up to a whole chapter or even a novel.
  2. Focusing on daily progress is easier than thinking about long-term goals. Trying to do a little each day keeps you grounded and motivated.
  3. Don't be afraid to start small and accept that being bad at something is part of getting better. The key is to practice regularly and enjoy the process.

How to read more books

Overthinking Everything • 733 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📚 Literature Book recommendations Self-help Mental health Personal Development
  1. Making excuses for not reading, like blaming capitalism or phones, won't help you. You need to recognize that these are just reasons to avoid facing the real problem.
  2. Try using techniques like 'negative pomodoros' to create an environment that helps you focus on reading. Removing distractions and setting specific rules can make reading easier.
  3. The real challenge is finding the motivation to read. Sometimes you have to be brave and just try things, even if you're not sure you want to read—or discover that maybe reading isn't what you want anymore.

Medium School Will Officially Open Its Doors and 30-Day Writing Challenge in April

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 579 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
🚌 Education Writing Online Learning Community Challenges Personal Development
  1. Medium School is opening soon, offering a chance for people to improve their writing skills. It's a great opportunity for anyone looking to get started with their writing journey.
  2. There's a 30-day writing challenge to encourage participation and help boost your writing practice. Even if you're late to join, it's never too late to start.
  3. The school will provide resources and support to help writers earn from their work. The aim is to help participants progress from making little money to achieving their goals.
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First do it, then do it right, then do it better.

Elevate • 1153 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation Personal Development Growth Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement
  1. Just start somewhere - Begin with a simple step to kick off the journey towards success
  2. The Power of Starting - Taking the first step energizes and motivates us, leading to progress and eventual success
  3. First, Do It, Do It Right, Do It Better - Embrace the MVP mindset, refine and correct, and strive for continuous improvement on your journey

Get Serious: About Purpose

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5383 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Development Psychology Society Human behavior Values
  1. Purpose is declining in society, with traditional values like faith, family, and community involvement losing importance.
  2. True purpose involves a deep belief in something greater than oneself, motivating action and giving a reason to build.
  3. Focusing solely on self-care and self-love may not bring fulfillment; finding a purpose outside oneself is key to combatting modern malaise.

what do you need to lose, to win?

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 884 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Productivity Personal Development Wellness Tips
  1. Sometimes, you need to lose something to eventually win something better.
  2. Our brains tend to focus on loss instead of success, so it's important to consciously celebrate our wins.
  3. Reflecting on past accomplishments and comparing them to current achievements can help you appreciate your progress and feel content.

Do you have career blues?

Elena's Growth Scoop • 1474 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Career development Professional Growth Job Satisfaction Career Change Personal Development
  1. Career blues are real and can leave you feeling tired, unfulfilled, and restless.
  2. Regularly reevaluate your job and career options to ensure you're in the best possible position.
  3. Explore different avenues like public speaking, newsletters, contracting work, and advising to complement your full-time job and avoid career stagnation.

Self-Help Podcasts

Bet On It • 45 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎙 Podcasts Self-help Interviews Media Personal Development Culture
  1. Self-help podcasts can provide deep insights and personal stories that inspire growth. They often feature interviews with interesting guests who share valuable experiences.
  2. Books like 'Self-Help is Like a Vaccine' offer unique perspectives on personal development. They can be a great addition to your self-help journey.
  3. Sometimes, e-books may face delays due to administrative issues, so staying updated on their availability is important. Physical copies might still be an option while you wait.

A good assistant to your future self

Austin Kleon • 2857 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Film Personal Development
  1. Keeping a diary can help you understand your past and guide your future. It's like having a helpful assistant looking out for you.
  2. Reading multiple books at once can lead to new and exciting ideas. Mixing different subjects creates a richer understanding.
  3. Slow learning is important in a fast-paced world. Taking your time can help you learn better and remember more.

From 0 SEO experience to an agency

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Sales Management Personal Development
  1. To succeed, it's important to go all out and fully engage in your work. Learning from past experiences and caring about people can make business more enjoyable and rewarding.
  2. Staying committed to your daily routines helps maintain momentum. Missing a day is okay, but try not to miss two in a row to keep moving forward.
  3. Effective communication is key, especially in sales. By planning questions and being genuinely curious, you can connect better with people and help them achieve their goals.

Should you meditate, and also, what is even meditation

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 1998 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Meditation Self-Improvement Mindfulness Spirituality Personal Development
  1. There are two tracks of meditation - one for enhancing performance and another for deconstructing your mind.
  2. The deconstructive track can lead to profound, life-changing experiences and personal growth, but it's not for everyone.
  3. Meditation can enhance mental flexibility, allowing you to embrace criticism and change with ease.

Staying Calm When You Want to Disappear

Leading Developers • 103 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership Career Personal Development Workplace culture Stress management
  1. When faced with pressure, pause and take a deep breath. It helps calm your nerves before responding.
  2. Always evaluate the situation by asking yourself questions about what's happening and what you know versus what you don't.
  3. After assessing, respond clearly and confidently. It's important to communicate what you understand and seek help if needed.

Year in Review, 2023

In the Flash • 799 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Creativity Feminism Technology Personal Development
  1. The author is thankful for the support and growth of their newsletter in 2023, especially from paid subscribers.
  2. Some of the most popular posts in 2023 focused on topics like viral fashion images, AI photography, and photography do's and don'ts.
  3. Personal stories and reflections on topics like vulnerability in photography and feminist representation also resonated with readers.

Cultivating Resilience by Changing How You View Your Identity

QUALITY BOSS • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Personal Development Self-care Identity Resilience
  1. Focusing on your core values rather than roles can help you bounce back from tough times. When your identity is built around values like connection and integrity, you're more adaptable to change.
  2. People who tie their identity to their job or relationship might struggle more during transitions. If you see yourself as defined by your values, losing a job or going through a divorce feels less drastic.
  3. Building daily habits that reflect your values can strengthen your sense of self. For example, if curiosity is important to you, spending time learning new things helps keep you engaged and authentic.

The Tech Founder & The Narcissistic Parent

Design is Love • 3 HN points • 25 Sep 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Mindset Startups Personal Development
  1. Narcissistic people can really bring you down and make you doubt your dreams. It's important to ignore their negative words and believe in yourself.
  2. Success often comes from hard work and resilience, not just connections. Keep pushing toward your goals even if others don’t support you.
  3. Finding your own worth is key to overcoming challenges. You should define your success, not let others tell you what it means.

Lush

ASK MOLLY • 373 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Development
  1. The post is titled 'Lush' and it's about wishing good luck.
  2. The content includes a descriptive excerpt about a tropical island.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only with an option to subscribe or sign in.

5 simple (but effective) strategies for beating burnout

Tiny Empires • 49 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Burnout Personal Development Entrepreneurship
  1. Set clear work-life boundaries to avoid burnout. Make time for self-care and disconnect from work when your day is done.
  2. Automate and streamline your tasks to save time and reduce stress. Use tools to help keep track of your work and deadlines.
  3. Build a support network of friends and fellow entrepreneurs. Having people to talk to can help you feel less isolated and more motivated.

Dating is additive, but love is multiplicative

Optima & Outliers • 159 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Social Dynamics Personal Development Behavioral Psychology Communication
  1. Dating is mostly about meeting many people, where every date adds to your chances of finding someone special. The more dates you go on, the higher your chances, even if some don't go well.
  2. Once you're in a relationship, keeping it strong requires attention to many factors. If one important part, like communication or attraction, isn't working, it can hurt the whole relationship.
  3. In business or projects, success often relies on many connected steps. If one step fails, it can cause everything to fall apart, which makes planning and execution very important.

How I made $750k in the last 6 months

Kenny’s Sub • 379 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Finance Marketing Personal Development Lifestyle
  1. Many success stories online lack important context and can be misleading. It's essential to look deeper into the circumstances behind these successes.
  2. Instead of comparing yourself directly to others, ask yourself key questions about your own situation. Consider your job, resources, and personal life before setting expectations.
  3. Stay curious and inspired by success stories, but remember to adapt their strategies to your unique circumstances for more realistic goals.

What makes a software engineer effective?

Elevate • 477 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Team Dynamics Communication Personal Development Problem Solving
  1. Effectiveness in software engineering is about focusing on what matters most and delivering value to users, the business, and career with the available time.
  2. Traits that help software engineers be effective include caring about user needs, being a good problem solver, and keeping things simple while prioritizing quality.
  3. To excel as an exceptional software engineer, embrace change, balance technical debt and innovation, and emphasize continuous learning and teamwork.

Pulling back the curtain to show the set

Disaffected Newsletter • 1278 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🎙 Podcasts Media Production Entertainment Psychology Personal Development Storytelling
  1. The show is presented like an old-fashioned talk show, not just a casual podcast. The creator values a polished production and enjoys looking put together while performing.
  2. There's honesty behind the performance; the creator shares personal struggles and insecurities. They believe it's important to show that even those who entertain can have vulnerabilities.
  3. The aim is to connect with others who have faced similar challenges from childhood. The show encourages a sense of recognition and reminds viewers that it's okay to have flaws but still strive to entertain and engage.

Staying in balance ⚖️

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Mindset Productivity Personal Development
  1. Your mindset shapes your life. A strong, positive mindset can lead to happiness, even during tough times.
  2. Pushing yourself can be exciting, but it’s important to balance hard work with self-care and important life activities.
  3. Recognizing where you struggle is key. It's okay to ask for advice on how to stay balanced while pursuing your goals.