Are you decisive? Are you a risk-taker? For years now, I’ve tried to help people answer these questions by dissecting factors like genetics and formative childhood experiences. What I apparently overlooked, however, was lunch.
An article in the New York Times last week asked “do you suffer from decision fatigue?” The crux of the article was a recent study done by a trio of Israeli researchers who showed that the same criminal court judge would be far more likely to okay a convict’s parole (a risky decision) in the morning, than he would in the afternoon (the cautious decision).
When the day is young most of us feel more like a brash young Marty McFly, daring the world to … [ Read More ]
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In a Harvard Business Review article this week Dan Ariely, behavioral economist at Duke and best-selling author of Predictably Irrational
, made an argument that financial planners are doing a major disservice to you and me by oversimplifying financial decisions. He argues that we would all be better off getting comfortable with the complexity of our retirement planning and investment decisions instead of trying to simplify something that is inherently complex. Dan is right. But he is also wrong. (Complicated, eh?)
To preface this: Dan Ariely is one of the most brilliant (not to mention clever and funny) decision-making researchers alive. My own work owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the … [ Read More ]
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According to this recent Gallup study, every single one of these United States of America has over a 20% obesity rate. So, why can’t we shed pounds? Is it laziness? Is it a lack of self-control? Is Ronald McDonald up to his diabolical scheming again?
Actually, it’s none of the above. It’s a misunderstanding about human behavior. In particular, it’s a misunderstanding about how human behavior changes. In the land of self-determination, we’re famous for the notion that behavior change is a choice.
The belief that change is a choice is meant to be empowering, and can be exactly that from time-to-time. The problem is what that statement implies for those who are struggling to change. If change is a choice, and you aren’t able … [ Read More ]
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I know, I know. You’ve probably got a stack of books two feet high sitting on your nightstand already. In an effort to save you time searching for the next big, important leadership book, I took the time to sift through the latest and greatest so far from 2011. I posted the top 5 with a brief summary of each on DecisionPulse.com, if you want to check it out.
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You cannot be happy, healthy and wealthy all at the same time. For a borderline self-help guru that statement is akin to a priest saying that God’s BFF is most likely the Tooth Fairy. Sadly, I’m convinced it is the truth. Unless you were born with super genes, a trust fund and inhuman optimism, it’s highly unlikely that you will experience all 3 of modern life’s greatest gifts simultaneously. Nine times out of 10, you’ll have to choose between health or wealth or happiness.
The other day, a friend of mine was explaining the dilemma he and his wife faced about what food to eat. On the one hand, they wanted to be healthy and eat mostly organic foods. They also wanted to be friendly to … [ Read More ]
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Do people look up to you? When you need something done, do you have the influence and the access to make it happen? Would you have it any other way?
Power is a loaded word today. On the one hand, it makes us think of corruption and a soul-sucking lust for control. On the other hand, those same powerful people hold the numbers we call when we want to instigate change in the world. Such is the blessing and the curse of Power.
About 10% of people are much more comfortable acquiring and wielding power than everyone else. Now, this doesn’t mean that they are wannabe despots or dictators. Actually, they might want to use their … [ Read More ]
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Of course you want to make the world a better place! Who doesn’t? The question is what are you willing to sacrifice to do it? Your career? Your social standing? Your independence?
When the rubber meets the road, only about one in 10 people claim “Humanity” as their Life Decision Pulse™. That is, only about 10% of people let their desire to make the world better guide their life’s decisions. Let’s face it, for many of us contributing to society and helping those less fortunate is something we promise to get to just as soon as we obtain job security, build some wealth, establish close personal relationships, accomplish our personal and career goals, have fun, … [ Read More ]
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Should being a drunken, coke-head be the cornerstone of your plan to achieve greatness? Well, not exactly. But neuroscientists like Dr. David Linden at Johns Hopkins Medical School are finding that addicts and overachieving leaders are often wired the same way.
In a New York Times article, Linden argues that successful leaders ranging from Alexander the Great to Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs have the same psychological profile as drug addicts. They are all compulsive risk-takers with a strong need for novelty and stimulation. That’s because these people–who I call Potential Seekers–lack normal amounts of dopamine in their brain. That means their pleasure sensors are dulled compared to everyone else.
The average person gets their kicks chatting it up with a good friend, watching reruns of … [ Read More ]
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