Here’s a quick-fire round — what do you worry about the most? GMOs in your food? Unread emails sitting in your mailbox? Receding hairline? The bags under your eyes? Or something else?

In the age of information and technology, news outlets and social media are continuously exposing us to things to worry about. From obsessing about the latest hair care product to worrying about political divisions, no one is immune to the effects of anxiety led by indulgence in our daily activities.

However, one question that keeps me grounded in reality is:

A year from now, would [things that worry you] matter? …

Yep, you’ve read that right. The key to becoming more creative is to soak yourself in boring ways to unleash that inner Picasso in you.

I was once in a team of brilliant-minded individuals working on a business project—each of them proposing a chain of grandiose, innovative solutions off the top of their heads. There was never a time during a discussion where a minute of silence passed.

As the ugly duckling that I was, I camouflaged in the background while haplessly watching my group members enthusiastically firing, defending, and building upon one another’s ideas.

My mind was a blank slate of canvas slabbed with an enormous question mark as I mused and thought to myself, “How can I be as creative as these guys?” …

What distinguishes between rational and irrational thinking?

In a world that’s rapidly advancing, we encounter systematic errors in our thought process that affect the way we ascertain situations.

In the realm of self-improvement, understanding some of your unconscious biases helps you to become a better human who makes rational choices even during unprecedented times.

1. Sunk Cost Fallacy

We invest more in things that have cost us something instead of altering our investments. The same is true, even if we encounter negative outcomes.

Example: Sally clings on to a lacklustre relationship due to the investment of time, effort, and money, making her more prone to stay in the relationship even though she’s unhappy. …

It was a lazy Monday, most commuters craned their neck downwards while browsing through endless webpages on their mobile phones, and some dozed off. The train ride back home from my college campus was just like any mundane weekday.

Just then, a faint voice emerged from the stillness, and as I traced my attention towards the sound, I saw an old couple. Sitting diagonally across me was a lady in her floral cashmere dress, smiling fondly at her husband while they talk about their day out. …

Whether it’s cramming for your last-minute essay or searching for a late-night TV snack, you’d be familiar with this mantra:

Peel off the top lid.

Add flavouring powder.

Pour boiling water into the cup.

Let it sit for three minutes.

Stir well and enjoy.

With a formula as simple as this, Momofuku Ando, a Taiwanese-Japanese inventor, introduced a revolutionary staple to the world known as instant noodles.

Believe it or not, it took him 48 years to come up with this idea.

So, what’s the story behind one of the greatest invention of the 20th century?

Where It All Started

After World War II, Japan was faced with intense food shortage. In an attempt to solve the nation’s hunger problem, the Japanese government imported wheat flour from the United States and encouraged locals to make bread. …

The day I found out that I was cheated on felt like a punch in the gut.

I still remember sitting on the corner of the bed, trembling as I read through the steamy conversation on my ex’s phone. At that instant, I could think of nothing but feel the weight of self-doubts pressing down on me.

I wouldn’t lie and say it didn’t hurt because it significantly undermined the confidence in myself and our relationship.

Even after we got past the incident, there was never a moment that went by without me having trust issues. …

At the heart of modern businesses lies in teamwork. Much of the success in team projects is centred on understanding how chemistry within the group can be optimised via a streamlined workflow process.

With deadlines, tasks, responsibilities, and meetings all competing for your attention, how can you juggle between multiple priorities at the same time?

Multitasking has known for its bad reputation for draining your energy reserves, making you feel tired more quickly. …

Having a writer’s block is one of the most frustrating feelings. Ever.

One piece of advice that great writers always give is that if you want people to read what you wrote, don’t stop writing. Show up every day and write.

But what does it mean to write? Especially when you have to compete with other great writers out there?

Often, I’d sit in front of my laptop, hit “Write a story” on Medium, and wah-la! I would stare blankly at the white screen, trying to squeeze out ideas that aren’t there in the first place.

Most days, I don’t know what I should write about. If you’re unlucky like me, having a writer’s block can feel like forever. …