How To Keep Your Cool While Avoiding External Validation And Eating Less

Article Round-Up: 7.31.22

Before you enjoy this week’s round-up of articles, podcasts, and more from the web, can I ask you a question?

What would you name this newsletter if you had full control?

Mindset Monday Newsletter is just kind of… Meh. What started as a short weekly email has now expanded to full articles, weekly article round-ups, and podcast interviews.

And to be honest, I’m struggling to give it proper name. But you seem pretty cool, so I thought you might have a good idea. Would you mind sharing your idea with me? Just respond to this email or click the comment button down below.

Who knows, you might see your idea as THE new title for this project. And with that comes eternal glory.

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“3 Unintuitive Steps To Adopt A Positive Mindset”

Takeaway: Here’s why mindset is so important: the stories you create about your world inform the emotions you will feel. If your brain generates negative stories, then you’ll feel negative emotions. (Sadness, worry, fear, anxiety, etc.) Vice versa, if your brain generates positive stories, you’ll feel positive emotions. (Happiness, anticipation, excitement, etc.)

Mindset is important because it alters these stories in your brain. It literally changes the way you experience the world.

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“3 Psychological Qualities That Prevent Attachment To External Validation”

Takeaway: Autonomy, mastery, and belonging. If you can satisfy those three qualities then you will free yourself of the need for external validation. While that may seem simple enough, it won’t be easy.

From the author, “When these three elements are not firmly in place, we tend to substitute chasing external validation in a frantic attempt to fulfill us. (Spoiler alert: it never does.) This is precisely why so many people who don’t prioritize community and belonging are so obsessed with social media likes and retweets and comments and all of that.”

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“Why ‘Eat Less, Move More’ Is Incredibly Hard” [Video]

Takeaway: While, “eat less, move more,” may seem like great advice, it actually isn’t all that useful. It doesn’t take into account all of the messy, complicated things going on in each of our lives.

A better approach focuses on the bigger picture of your life. It can help you identify what areas need improvement that, while not directly changing eating or exercise habits, can make eating less and moving more…More realistic.

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“How To Stay Cool When You’re Put On The Spot”

Takeaway: Ever have someone call you out during a meeting at work? Maybe it was a critical question, or they passed judgement on your decision making, or some other way for you to start feeling like the pressure was on. Never a fun time and usually leads people to shutting down or blowing up—neither of which leaves a good impression of you.

Try the advice in this article instead. It’ll give you tips for staying cool, calm, and collected so you come out looking like a professional who has their sh*t together. (Even if you don’t.)