How to Make Better Choices

Leadership

The Psychology Behind Effective Leadership

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on June 15, 2026

The strategies that once fueled success can become barriers to future growth. Here's why leaders often struggle to see it.

The strategies that once fueled success can become barriers to future growth. Here's why leaders often struggle to see it.

Decision-Making

When "Not My Problem" Eventually Becomes Your Problem

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on May 21, 2026

Behavioral science shows that other people’s problems rarely stay theirs forever. Here is why we avoid difficult conversations until the consequences become our own.

Behavioral science shows that other people’s problems rarely stay theirs forever. Here is why we avoid difficult conversations until the consequences become our own.

Decision-Making

Why People Regret Decisions They Think About the Longest

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on February 9, 2026

Sometimes, overthinking doesn’t just slow decisions; it rewrites your memory of them and creates regret. In this post, we'll discuss how to minimize decision regret.

Sometimes, overthinking doesn’t just slow decisions; it rewrites your memory of them and creates regret. In this post, we'll discuss how to minimize decision regret.

Decision-Making

How Strategic Pauses Improve Decisions in Life Transitions

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on December 19, 2025

Rushing big life decisions often leads to regret. A strategic pause can help you think clearly, align with your values, and choose what truly comes next.

Rushing big life decisions often leads to regret. A strategic pause can help you think clearly, align with your values, and choose what truly comes next.

Decision-Making

Embracing Uncertainty in Decision-Making

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on September 18, 2025

Uncertainty fuels anxiety, but it doesn’t have to. By reframing how we think and decide, we can shift from fear to resilience and even discover growth in the unknown.

Uncertainty fuels anxiety, but it doesn’t have to. By reframing how we think and decide, we can shift from fear to resilience and even discover growth in the unknown.

Deception

Why Smart People Fall for Fraudulent Schemes

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on June 25, 2025

Smart people fall for scams, too. Ponzi schemes capitalize—literally—on our hopes and cognitive quirks.

Smart people fall for scams, too. Ponzi schemes capitalize—literally—on our hopes and cognitive quirks.

Decision-Making

Overcoming Paralysis in Financial Decision-Making

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on March 28, 2025

Uncertainty fuels hesitation—especially with money. Learn why we stall, and how to build confidence with small steps, smarter habits, and a shift in mindset.

Uncertainty fuels hesitation—especially with money. Learn why we stall, and how to build confidence with small steps, smarter habits, and a shift in mindset.

Dementia

Safeguarding Finances While Caring for Dementia Patients

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on January 16, 2025

Is your loved one showing signs of cognitive decline? Here are six tips for preserving financial well-being while managing dementia.

Is your loved one showing signs of cognitive decline? Here are six tips for preserving financial well-being while managing dementia.

Career

Why Entrepreneurs Often Fail

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on November 4, 2024

Do you dream of opening your own business? Strategy and execution are essential—but don't overlook the psychological dimensions that can help lead to success.

Do you dream of opening your own business? Strategy and execution are essential—but don't overlook the psychological dimensions that can help lead to success.

Anxiety

Overcoming Financial Anxiety and Doom Spending

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on August 21, 2024

Next time you reach for your credit card, think twice. Work towards a mindful plan to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with money and spending.

Next time you reach for your credit card, think twice. Work towards a mindful plan to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with money and spending.

Disaster Psychology

Managing the Psychological and Practical Aftermath of Disasters

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on May 8, 2024

Natural disasters take a significant emotional toll. Here are strategies to manage the adverse psychological and decision-making impacts of disasters.

Natural disasters take a significant emotional toll. Here are strategies to manage the adverse psychological and decision-making impacts of disasters.

Resilience

Navigating Life’s Crossroads

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on April 8, 2024

When at a crossroads in life, it is important to pause and recognize your emotions but then focus on readiness and resilience for your next challenge.

When at a crossroads in life, it is important to pause and recognize your emotions but then focus on readiness and resilience for your next challenge.

Motivation

Creating Sticky Goals to Embrace Success

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on January 5, 2024

Do you wish you could keep your New Year's resolutions and goals? There is one key element missing in how most people set goals. Embrace the concept of stickiness.

Do you wish you could keep your New Year's resolutions and goals? There is one key element missing in how most people set goals. Embrace the concept of stickiness.

Resilience

Orchestrating a Personal Turnaround

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on October 2, 2023

With millions of individual defeats or failures each year, we all must learn how to rebound, recover, and navigate personal turnarounds.

With millions of individual defeats or failures each year, we all must learn how to rebound, recover, and navigate personal turnarounds.

Ethics and Morality

The Psychology Behind Business Success

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on August 25, 2023

Most of us pursue success, but are there healthy boundaries that we might cross to get there? Learn how to manage your perceptions of success.

Most of us pursue success, but are there healthy boundaries that we might cross to get there? Learn how to manage your perceptions of success.

Bias

How to Deal With Expectation Bias

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on July 14, 2023

When it comes to life, one thing for certain is that we can't predict what will happen and our expectations are not always met. Learn 5 tools to mitigate your expectation bias.

When it comes to life, one thing for certain is that we can't predict what will happen and our expectations are not always met. Learn 5 tools to mitigate your expectation bias.

Procrastination

How to Tackle Financial Procrastination

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on June 5, 2023

Nearly 50% of people suffer from chronic procrastination. When it comes to money, delays destroy finances. Try these tips to tackle delays.

Nearly 50% of people suffer from chronic procrastination. When it comes to money, delays destroy finances. Try these tips to tackle delays.

Attention

What Makes Big Life Decisions So Difficult?

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on April 12, 2023

We devote too much energy to daily tasks and not enough time to contemplating the biggest decisions of our lives. These tips will help get you unstuck.

We devote too much energy to daily tasks and not enough time to contemplating the biggest decisions of our lives. These tips will help get you unstuck.

Stress

How Asking For Help Can Change Your Life

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on February 13, 2023

Is financial stress keeping you from being your best self? Here's how to ask for help.

Is financial stress keeping you from being your best self? Here's how to ask for help.

Decision-Making

How to Embrace Vulnerability in Decision-Making

James R Langabeer Ph.D., Ed.D. on February 2, 2023

Are you stuck, or do you find yourself making choices you later regret? Learn 5 steps for incorporating vulnerability to improve your decision-making process.

Are you stuck, or do you find yourself making choices you later regret? Learn 5 steps for incorporating vulnerability to improve your decision-making process.