Intrinsic motivation helps us to get engaged and stay engaged. We have control over our motivation. Harnessing our intrinsic motivation is important—and simple. What is it you enjoy most? Think of something that no one needs to urge you to do, remind you to do, or that you put off because you’d really rather be […]
It’s the Giving Season! Did you know the saying “Tis better to give than to receive” is actually true? We are built to have the desire to give back without expecting anything in return by the time we hit midlife. This is called generativity, a term coined by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson. Many midlifers believe […]
Tom skipped college and went straight to work. Just like so many of us, he lived in the moment, focusing on the grind of family, and work. He didn’t have time for anything else. But, in his 50s, he decided to take a leap and take a stab at being a radio show host. He’d […]
Key points Read more Originally Published on https://deborahheiserphd.substack.com/
Guidance Is Rare And That’s Why It Matters Intelligence is common. Hard work is common. Potential is common. The missing piece for so many people isn’t ability or effort. It’s guidance. Guidance is what turns raw potential into real progress. A mentor who asks the right question. A manager who shows you how to navigate […]
Midlife gets a bad rap. But why? After all, we know that happiness is a U shape, with our satisfaction rising by the time we turn 50 (Blanchflower, 2020). We also know that when we reach older adulthood we will recall our midlife years as better than other periods of our lives (Galambos, 2020). So, […]
How many times have you heard “Go find a mentor”? There are so many ways we can reach out to an expert in the field we are entering, or a senior level person who has the ability to open doors for us. But have you ever thought of all of the mentors you’ve had and […]
Does meaningful connection hold any meaning for you? The term is bandied about so often that it is now used the way “friend” is used for much less than someone you care about and spend time with. It seems that recently, people refer to meaningful connections as someone they have coffee with, an acquaintance who […]
What 700 Nursing Home Residents Taught Me About What We Miss—and Why I’m Making This Tool Public More than twenty years ago, I was a graduate student working in a nursing home. I was new, still finding my footing, learning routines, and listening more than talking. And almost immediately, I had a persistent, uncomfortable thought: […]
I’ve been trying new things lately – I’ve gotten a few certificates in AI, started building apps using AI, and am creating resources that can be useful to others as I hone my skills. In 2026, my goal is to start a new company, and these skills will be useful, so keep an eye out […]
