We all know at least one person who is a huge jerk. They are always rude and condescending, and they never seem to care about how their words or actions affect other people. But do you ever stop to ask yourself if you might be a huge jerk too? It’s not a fun question to answer, but it’s one that we all need to ask ourselves from time to time.
What are the signs that you might be a huge jerk, and, if you are, how can you overcome your jerky tendencies?
Here are a few signs that you might be a huge jerk:
-You always have to be right
-You never apologize, even when you’re clearly in the wrong
-You cut people off when they’re speaking
-You talk over people
-You’re always trying to one-up people
-You enjoy making yourself feel superior to others
-You’re always putting other people down
Also, think about the way people tend to react to you. For example, do people seem to avoid you or get tense when you’re around? Do they seem to be trying to please you all the time or walking on eggshells around you? If so, that’s another sign that you might be a huge jerk.
No one wants to admit that they’re a huge jerk, but it’s important to be honest about yourself. If you can relate to any of the above signs, then it’s likely that you’re a huge jerk. But don’t worry, there’s still hope for you! By recognizing your jerky tendencies, you can start to work on overcoming them.
Here are a few things you can do:
-Practice active listening
-Try to see things from other people’s perspectives
-Make an effort to be more humble
-Work on being more patient
You might also reach out to friends, and especially former friends, and just ask them how you come across to other people. It can be a difficult thing to hear, but it’s important to get an honest opinion from someone who knows you well.
If you’re willing to put in the work, you can definitely overcome your jerkiness. Just remember that it’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s going to take active, conscious change. Your inclination will be to defend yourself; as a matter of habit, you will probably continue to exhibit some of the jerkier behaviors listed above. But if you’re truly committed to change, then eventually you will get there.
Do you feel like your boss is the root of all your problems at work? Are you constantly stressed out, and not sure what to do? You may be tempted to think that your boss is the problem. However, it’s possible that you are contributing to the issue as well. In this article, we will discuss how to tell if you have a horrible boss, or if you are to blame. We will also provide tips on how to improve your relationship with your boss, regardless of who is at fault!
First of all, let’s discuss the signs that you may have a horrible boss. If your boss is constantly micromanaging you, or if they are always putting you down, then there is a problem. Additionally, if your boss never seems to be happy with your work, no matter how hard you try, then this could be an issue. Lastly, if you feel like your boss is taking advantage of you, or if they are not respecting your boundaries, then this definitely indicates that there is a problem.
Now let’s talk about the signs that YOU may be to blame for the problems in your relationship with your boss. If you are constantly coming in late or calling out of work, then your boss may have reason to be unhappy with you. Additionally, if you are not meeting your deadlines, or if you are constantly making mistakes, then your boss may feel like they have to constantly be on your case. Lastly, if you are constantly arguing with your boss, or if you refuse to do what they ask, then it’s likely that YOU are the problem.
So what can you do to improve the situation? If you think that YOUR behavior is contributing to the problem, then try to make some changes. Show up to work on time, and make an effort to be more reliable. Additionally, try to be more positive at work, and take responsibility for your mistakes. If you feel like your boss is the root of the problem, then there are still things you can do! Try to build a rapport with your boss; it may not be as difficult as you think. For example, you can ask them about their day, or try to find common interests. Additionally, you can try to be more understanding and flexible with your boss; remember that they are under a lot of pressure, and may not always have the time or patience to deal with you.
If that doesn’t work, it might be time to look for another job. How will you know? If you are constantly dreading going to work, and if your job is impacting your health or personal life, then it may be time to move on. Trust your gut; if you have taken all of these steps to fix the situation, then it’s probably best to walk away.
If you are having problems with your boss, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for help. Remember, it’s not always easy to tell who is at fault; sometimes, the best solution is to simply walk away.
It’s no secret that streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video have taken over the entertainment world. It seems like everyone is glued to their screens watching their favorite shows. While there’s nothing wrong with watching a little TV, we think you should stop watching streaming platforms and start reading books!
Books are a great way to escape reality and jump into another world that is often more interesting than your own. Books allow readers to explore new worlds that they might not otherwise encounter. It can be a fun way to learn about different cultures and lifestyles while also providing a sense of relaxation. They can take you on wild adventures, make you laugh out loud or even make you cry. But most importantly, books can teach us about life and help us grow as people. If you’re looking for a way to improve your mental health, learn new things, or just escape the mundane reality of everyday life, then we highly recommend picking up a book!
Here are a few reasons why you should read books instead of watching streaming platforms:
^ Books are affordable- You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a good book. Unlike streaming platforms, which often require a monthly subscription, books are relatively inexpensive. You can usually find them for under $20, and libraries offer free options as well.
^ Books are better for your mental health. A study by the University of London found that reading can reduce stress levels by 68%. That’s because when you read, your body relaxes, and your mind is free to wander. Books are portable. You can take them anywhere! Whether you’re going on a long car ride or taking a trip to the beach, books are the perfect travel companions, and they require no internet connection. So next time you’re feeling stressed, reach for a book instead of the remote.
^ Books can improve your memory. When you read, you engage your working memory, which is responsible for short-term memory recall. This means that reading can help you remember things better!
^ Books make you more empathetic. Reading fiction has been shown to increase empathy and understanding of others. This is because when you read a book, you’re able to see the world from someone else’s perspective.
^ Books can help you sleep better. If you’re having trouble sleeping, reading before bed can help. That’s because it relaxes your mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.
^ Books can help you learn new things. When you read, you expose yourself to new information and ideas that you might not otherwise encounter, and reading forces you to engage with the ideas in a way that staring at a Netflix documentary never will. This can help expand your horizons, because knowledge is power!
But beyond all of these reasons, reading a book is one of the great joys of life because it allows you to escape into another world in a way that watching TV can, because reading a book instead of turning on the TV is an active experience. When you read, you create the story in your head, which is more engaging than passively watching a show. Books can improve your imagination. When you read, you engage with the story, which allows your mind to wander and come up with new ideas. This means that reading can help improve your imagination! This, in turn, makes reading a much more enjoyable and enriching experience.
Reading is one of the great cultural equalizers — it’s something that everyone can enjoy, no matter who you are or where you come from. For centuries, books have been a source of knowledge and entertainment, and we believe they’re still the best way to spend your free time.
So there you have it! These are just a few of the many reasons why you should stop watching streaming platforms and open up that novel that’s been on your bookshelf for years.
Isolation is one of the main reasons cited for the decline of conversation in America. With more people than ever choosing to communicate remotely, we are missing out on opportunities for human connection. Why are Americans losing the art of conversation, and how is remote communication affecting our relationships both professionally and personally? And how can we change?
There are many reasons for the decline of face-to-face conversation in America. One reason is that we have become more isolated, both physically and emotionally. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, “the average American now has fewer close friends than he or she did two decades ago.” We are less likely to live in close proximity to one another. Post-Covid, we are leaving densely populated cities, and choosing to work, alone, in our bedrooms.
This is not freedom! This is bad.
We are losing the ability to relate to one another. We are losing the ability to empathize.
Empathy is “the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within the other person’s frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place oneself in another’s shoes.” It is essential for human connection, and it is something that we are losing as we move away from face-to-face conversation.
When we communicate remotely, we are more likely to misunderstand one another. We can’t see each other’s facial expressions or body language, so we miss out on important nonverbal cues. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict.
And conflict is on the rise. In 2018, the American Psychological Association found that Americans were more stressed than ever before, with work being the number one source of stress. One way to reduce stress is to build strong relationships with our co-workers, but when we communicate remotely, we miss out on opportunities to bond with our colleagues.
We are also missing out on important opportunities to connect with our families and friends. Social media can’t replace the human connection that we get from face-to-face conversation. When we communicate remotely, we are more likely to talk about superficial things, instead of the deep, meaningful conversations that help us to connect on a deeper level.
So how can we change? How can we move past this impasse, this terrible present?
The first step is to recognize the problem. We need to be aware of the effect that communicating remotely is having on our relationships. Once we are aware of the problem, we can start to make changes in our own lives.
We can make a conscious effort to have more face-to-face conversations. We need to recognize that “remote” work is not a solution to anything. It is a Band-Aid, at best. We need to find ways to connect with our co-workers, our families, and our friends.
It won’t be easy. We are up against a lot of obstacles. But if we don’t try, we will only end up further apart from one another. And that is not a future that any of us want.
So let’s start today. Let’s have a conversation. face-to-face. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it is time that we start to reconnect with one another. We owe it to ourselves, and to the future of our country.
It’s no secret that America is a divided nation. And while it might seem like talking about politics is the best way to fix the problem, it’s actually doing more harm than good. According to a recent study, Americans who talk about politics on social media are more likely to be angry and frustrated with the other side. This can lead to animosity and hostility, which is not good for our country. So why don’t we all just stop talking about politics? It might be better for our mental health – and the nation as a whole!
It used to be the case that men and women of good faith could disagree about politics without being disagreeable. But that was before social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook came along. Now, it seems like every day there’s a new fight brewing between people who share the same political beliefs. And while it might seem like engaging in these debates is the best way to come to a resolution, it’s actually having the opposite effect.
Indeed, “politics” itself isn’t really about ideas anymore. It’s about winning. It’s about scoring points off of your opponents and showing them that you’re right and they’re wrong. But at the end of the day, all this does is further divide us as a nation. So instead of trying to win the next argument, maybe we should all just take a step back and stop talking about politics altogether.
But how will we ever agree on the best policies for America’s future you ask? Well, that’s a good question. But one thing is for sure: we won’t be able to do it if we can’t even have a civil conversation with each other. So let’s take a break from the fighting and name-calling, and see if maybe, just maybe, we can start to find some common ground. After all, if we were really debating Roe v. Wade, we might find common ground. But we aren’t; instead , we’re just yelling at each other. And that’s not going to get us anywhere.
So next time you’re about to post a political rant on social media, ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Is it worth furthering the divide in our country? Or would it be better to just stop talking about politics altogether? It might not seem like it, but it just might be the best thing for America.
When writer Steven S. Drachman decided to spend three days on the Appalachian Trail in April, hiking alone, he didn’t expect much of his fellow humans. He was shocked to discover that, in many ways, the AT was the polar opposite of New York City, the place he calls home.
The Appalachian Trail was created by Benton MacKaye in 1921, and today extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is popular with all kinds of people, including “thru-hikers,” who attempt to hike the entire trail in one season. More than 3 million people visit the AT each year. In order to get by for many days on the trail, hikers need to be self-sufficient, carrying all of their food and supplies with them. This can be a daunting task, and in many cases, hikers will form small groups in order to share the load, and camaraderie sometimes form along the way. Many hikers say that the trail is a great leveler, and that everyone is on an even playing field, regardless of their age, gender or social status.
Steven S. Drachman
What Drachman found was that everyone he met on the trail was unfailingly polite and helpful, even to complete strangers. People went out of their way to offer him advice and assistance, and he never once felt in danger.
“People were incredibly friendly and helpful,” Drachman said of his time on the trail. “It felt like a community in the best sense of the word.”
This feeling of community is one of the things that stunned him.
“I expected people to be more self-centered and focused on their own hike,” he said. “But that wasn’t the case at all.”
One of the things Drachman, a novelist known for his Watt O’Hugh series, found most interesting was the way in which people left their worst behavior behind when they hit the trail.
“It was like everyone had made a conscious decision to be different. It’s like human nature changed out there,” he said. “Not only did I not have a single negative interaction during the entire trip, I didn’t even have a neutral one. It’s as though people might actually be … good.”
One reason for this may be that the people who undertake long hikes are self-selected for friendliness. But Drachman also believes there’s something about being in nature that encourages hikers to drop their worst behavior.
“I think it has to do with the fact that when you’re out in nature, you’re confronted with your own mortality,” he said. “You realize how small and insignificant you are in the grand scheme of things, and that encourages humility.”
There are plenty of stories of trail magic (random acts of kindness) and selflessness among strangers. But it’s clear that there’s something special about the trail that brings out the best in people.
It might also be something instinctual; humans evolved to be tribal, which encourages cooperation. Eons ago, if one member of the tribe were to fall, we would all fall.
But modern life (and capitalism) encourages individuality over cooperation.
When you’re back in nature, on the other hand, it’s clear that we’re all in this together. For example, if you see someone struggling up a hill, your first instinct is to help them. And if you see something more threatening — say, a bear — you’re apt to band together with other hikers to ensure that everyone gets through it.
“It’s like we revert back to our more primal selves on the trail,” Drachman said. “And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
Indeed, the Appalachian Trail may be one of the last places on Earth where you can still find that sense of community and cooperation. In a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control, the AT is a welcome reminder that we’re all in this together. And that, sometimes, the best way to get through life is to help others along the way.
“I think the Appalachian Trail is a microcosm of what society could be if we just treated each other with a little more respect and kindness,” Drachman said. “It’s a utopia, for sure, but it’s one that we could learn from.”
One theory explaining this phenomenon is the “disinhibition effect,” which posits that people feel more free to be themselves (for better or for worse) when they’re anonymous. On the Appalachian Trail, hikers are anonymous. Everyone knows your name, but it’s your “trail name,” and your reputation precedes you. No one knows where you came from, or what your life was like before the trail.
“I think the anonymity of it all makes people feel safe to be themselves,” Drachman said. “They can let their guard down and just be kind, because they don’t have anything to prove. I think part of it is that when you’re out there, you realize that everyone is struggling with the same thing. We’re all just trying to make it to the next mountain. It doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 70, if you’re from the city or the country. We’re all just hikers.”
It’s clear that there’s something special in the wild outdoors, where you can find peace and quiet, but the risks are ever-present — you could break a leg, drown in the rapids, get lost, attacked by a bear or bitten by a snake. The kindness of strangers could literally save your life.
“In the city, we’re so accustomed to looking out for ourselves and not trusting anyone,” Drachman said. “But on the trail, you have to rely on other people. You have to trust that they won’t take advantage of you when you’re vulnerable.”
It’s a utopia, for sure, but is it one that we could learn from? Could these lessons be adopted for modern life?
“I think we could learn a lot from the trail,” Drachman said. “If we could just be a little nicer to each other and cooperate a little more, I think the world would be a much better place.”
It’s a lesson we could all stand to learn from. The next time you’re feeling stressed out or angry, take a hike. It just might make you a better person.
^^^
Article by Audere Magazine. Images courtesy Steven S. Drachman.
It’s not always easy to be OK with being below average. We always want more, and we believe that we are destined for great things. But what if you’re not? What if you’re below average? Is that really so bad?
First of all, how can you tell? Bad grades? No success in business? Well, Bill Gates was a drop-out, and plenty of successful entrepreneurs bounced back after bad starts. No, early failure is no indication that that you are below average. It might mean the opposite.
So how should you go about evaluating your own potential? Well, to start, consider your talents. Do you have any? Have you developed them? Are they useful? If so, then congratulations.
But what if you don’t have any special talents? What if you’re a below-average average Joe or Jane? That’s not so bad either. After all, the world needs below-average people. We can’t all be geniuses or prodigies. Somebody has to do the ordinary jobs that keep society running. And that’s OK. You don’t have to be destined for great things to live a happy and fulfilling life. Embrace your ordinariness and be content with who you are. It’s not so bad, really. In fact, it might even be kind of nice.
What does below-average mean? The bottom of the barrel? Nope. First of all, it depends how we are averaging. If we are looking at a median average, then being below average just means you are in the bottom half of the population — not so bad! If we’re going by a “mean” average, then the highest performers skew the average upward. You could be “below average” and still more “successful” than most people.
But there are also plenty of ways of measuring your own self-worth. For example, you could have a lousy job but have great kids who love you more than they possibly could if you were a busy billionaire. Or, for example, you could be an artist but never sell a painting in your life. That doesn’t mean you’re not a good artist. You could be a great artist, but a “below-average” marketer of your own talents.
But what if you are below-average in everything you can think of? That’s OK too. Maybe you’re not destined for greatness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find happiness in your ordinariness. Embrace it and be content with who you are. That’s the best way to live a happy life.
What if you feel like you’re stuck in a rut? If you’re not sure how to move forward, here are some tips:
– Talk to a therapist or counselor
– Read self-help books
– Join a support group
– Find a hobby or activity that makes you happy
– Spend time with loved ones and close friends
– Volunteer your time to help others
No matter where you are in life, remember that it’s OK to be below average. If you’re struggling with feeling like you’re not good enough, remember that you are not alone. We all feel that way sometimes. But it’s important to remind ourselves that we are all special and unique, no matter where we fall on the spectrum of averages.
So be content with who you are today and find happiness in your everyday life. That’s the best way to live a fulfilling life.
