Unthinking

Parenting

How To Know Another Person

Harry Beckwith J.D. on December 30, 2011

Struggling with his most important relationship, an author suddenly sees two images. They end up providing a solution for him--and anyone who wants to deepen a relationship with another person.

Struggling with his most important relationship, an author suddenly sees two images. They end up providing a solution for him--and anyone who wants to deepen a relationship with another person.

Relationships

Why Do We Love The Songs We Love? A Surprising Story

Harry Beckwith J.D. on November 9, 2011

Your favorite songs get you somehow. This is how.

Your favorite songs get you somehow. This is how.

Charisma

How to Charm People: A Lesson from America's Master

Harry Beckwith J.D. on October 3, 2011

We once thought the ideal man was was "tall, dark and handsome," but no leading American actor is. There's a lesson in this. What do we find truly charming?

We once thought the ideal man was was "tall, dark and handsome," but no leading American actor is. There's a lesson in this. What do we find truly charming?

Career

More Speaking Tips that Beat "Pretend Your Audience Is Naked"

Harry Beckwith J.D. on September 7, 2011

How can you win over your audience and sedate your butterflies? With these three tips that helped launch the career of an international professional speaker.

How can you win over your audience and sedate your butterflies? With these three tips that helped launch the career of an international professional speaker.

Behavioral Economics

What Do You Really Know?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on August 5, 2011

A chance encounter with an intriguing book, The Wave, exposes just how vulnerable our thinking is to several powerful outside influences. What can you learn from this, too?

A chance encounter with an intriguing book, The Wave, exposes just how vulnerable our thinking is to several powerful outside influences. What can you learn from this, too?

Depression

Bless You, Jeret Peterson

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 28, 2011

One day he was beaming on an Olympic victory stand, and the next day he was dead by his own young hand. What happened to Jeret Peterson?

One day he was beaming on an Olympic victory stand, and the next day he was dead by his own young hand. What happened to Jeret Peterson?

Beauty

What Is Beautiful?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 25, 2011

We think of beauty as something exceptional. Yet there is ample evidence that what makes you beautiful is something quite different. Who and what is beautiful? Brace yourself for a surprise.

We think of beauty as something exceptional. Yet there is ample evidence that what makes you beautiful is something quite different. Who and what is beautiful? Brace yourself for a surprise.

Happiness

How To Be Happier

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 15, 2011

Do we experience unhappiness? Or do we merely think in such a way that unhappiness becomes inevitable? And what can you do to think yourself out of this dilemma and into happiness?

Do we experience unhappiness? Or do we merely think in such a way that unhappiness becomes inevitable? And what can you do to think yourself out of this dilemma and into happiness?

Behavioral Economics

George Clooney Is Dead?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on July 6, 2011

A crowd of independent thinkers acts wisely, as a famous book title once said. A crowd of people listening to others, however, easily becomes a Mob.

A crowd of independent thinkers acts wisely, as a famous book title once said. A crowd of people listening to others, however, easily becomes a Mob.

Career

The Secret: How The World's Best-Paid Persuaders Do It

Harry Beckwith J.D. on June 21, 2011

Want to land that job, promotion, account--or just coax a nice birthday present from your significant other? Follow the simple advice of the world's most effective--and highest-paid--presenters. No other approach works as powerfully--as you will see. Literally.

Want to land that job, promotion, account--or just coax a nice birthday present from your significant other? Follow the simple advice of the world's most effective--and highest-paid--presenters. No other approach works as powerfully--as you will see. Literally.

Health

How To Tap the Power of Your Mind: Four Surprising Stories

Harry Beckwith J.D. on May 25, 2011

How can you lose weight, give a speech, accomplish more? Four surprising stories--of 84 Boston hotel housekeepers, some lucky putters, colorless Cheetos, and Calvin Trillin's reception in a Minneapolis library--suggest an answer that you can use immediately.

How can you lose weight, give a speech, accomplish more? Four surprising stories--of 84 Boston hotel housekeepers, some lucky putters, colorless Cheetos, and Calvin Trillin's reception in a Minneapolis library--suggest an answer that you can use immediately.

Behavioral Economics

How To Outhink Common Sense

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 29, 2011

"Common sense tells you," a partner or coworker begins, attempting to end your discussion right then. But how well has common sense worked? And how can we all achieve breakthroughs by looking differently at "common sense"?

"Common sense tells you," a partner or coworker begins, attempting to end your discussion right then. But how well has common sense worked? And how can we all achieve breakthroughs by looking differently at "common sense"?

Career

When's The Best Time To Get A "Yes"?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 21, 2011

Does the time of day significantly influence our decisions? And if it does, what does this tell us about the ideal times to ask for a raise, a contract, or a date?

Does the time of day significantly influence our decisions? And if it does, what does this tell us about the ideal times to ask for a raise, a contract, or a date?

Beauty

Does Beauty Matter?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on April 11, 2011

It's in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps--but whatever our eyes do see as beautiful, why does it matter? A half-dozen lessons of a career trying to satisfy, and understand, that craving.

It's in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps--but whatever our eyes do see as beautiful, why does it matter? A half-dozen lessons of a career trying to satisfy, and understand, that craving.

Narcissism

Seven Tips For Making Better Decisions

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 31, 2011

How can you help your group--even a twosome--make better decisions? And actually enjoy the process? It's all in your heads. Here are seven proven tips, the lessons of over 30 years of strategic planning.

How can you help your group--even a twosome--make better decisions? And actually enjoy the process? It's all in your heads. Here are seven proven tips, the lessons of over 30 years of strategic planning.

Fear

Seven Speaking Tips That Beat “Pretend Your Audience Is Naked"

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 14, 2011

How can you win over people and totally sedate your butterflies?  Here are my favorite seven lessons, gleaned from three decades of public speaking.

How can you win over people and totally sedate your butterflies?  Here are my favorite seven lessons, gleaned from three decades of public speaking.

Placebo

The Startling Tale of The Six-Inch Nail

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 7, 2011

This really happened. Just after New Year's Day 2010, a 29 year-old British construction worker leaped before he looked. He survived, and left us with a remarkable story about how our minds work, and how you can win friends and influence people.

This really happened. Just after New Year's Day 2010, a 29 year-old British construction worker leaped before he looked. He survived, and left us with a remarkable story about how our minds work, and how you can win friends and influence people.

Media

Do Stars Matter?

Harry Beckwith J.D. on March 2, 2011

We see them rise and fall.  The Meryl Streeps, Geoffrey Rushes, and Oprahs are not just celebrities to us; they do something more--something that we need.

We see them rise and fall.  The Meryl Streeps, Geoffrey Rushes, and Oprahs are not just celebrities to us; they do something more--something that we need.

Optimism

Thinking Our Way Back to Prosperity

Harry Beckwith J.D. on February 28, 2011

Might one of our most famous traits eventually help will lift us out of the recession? Is a recovery all in our heads?

Might one of our most famous traits eventually help will lift us out of the recession? Is a recovery all in our heads?

Relationships

Why Millions Love Max Page

Harry Beckwith J.D. on February 23, 2011

31,500,000 people have gone on line in less than two weeks, just to watch a commercial.  What about this commercial--and about us--makes "Little Darth" so captivating?

31,500,000 people have gone on line in less than two weeks, just to watch a commercial.  What about this commercial--and about us--makes "Little Darth" so captivating?