How to tell if you’re (yawn) boring
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“Categorization is essentially a way for us to simplify and organize the information in our world. And it's a very similar thing happening when we bring this to the financial context.” –Abigail Sussman
BRAIN WAVES
On purpose. Whether it’s giving back to your community, raising children, or achieving a lifelong goal, having a sense of purpose feels good. It’s also good for your health. Researchers at University College London looked at data from 11 studies with more than 60,000 volunteers and found that having a sense of purpose is associated with a 19% reduced risk for dementia. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why purpose is associated with better physical health outcomes, but they hypothesize it has something to do with motivation. “The goal-oriented pursuit to live in a way that is purposeful [or] meaningful may act as motivation to live a healthier lifestyle,” lead author Georgia Bell told PsychCentral. But remember, purpose isn’t something you find – it’s something you develop from within.
Am I…boring? Sorry, accountants. A recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin asked people what they thought made others boring, considering jobs, hobbies, and other traits. The study’s participants said that the most boring jobs involved data analysis, accounting, and taxes. The most boring hobby? Sleeping (we beg to differ). Watching television, observing animals, and doing mathematics also made the list. Surprisingly, people thought that the more boring someone was, the less competent they were. "It was interesting to me to see the study showed that boring people were not seen as competent," the study’s author said. "I would have thought that accountants would be seen as boring, but effective, and the perfect person to do a good job on your tax return." Anyone who can navigate the complexities of money is aces in our book.
Love and marriage. When did marriage become so hard? Long-term relationships have changed over time. Maybe we can improve marriage by asking less of it. Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
May 9: Why do people and organizations regularly fail to spend within their means? Psychologist Abby Sussman says it's related to a curious cognitive trap -- which we can transform into a superpower that can improve our financial lives.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
May 10: A group of girls is bullying Jennifer in middle school. Then someone steps in and changes the way she sees the world.
May 12: In 2014, at the lowest point of Trieste Erickson's life, a stranger's brief comment changes everything.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
MIND GAMES
Is the capital of Kentucky pronounced Louis-ville or Luee-ville?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
It's 3:35. If the clock is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, what time will it be?
The answer: 12:20. Remember, the clock will rotate counterclockwise. That lands the hour hand at 12 and the minute hand at 4.
FROM THE TWITTERATI…
A MOMENT OF JOY
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