Psychology

I believe the most effective strategy for maintaining resilience is mastering the art of self-soothing. The ability to calm oneself instantly, at any moment, stands out as a pivotal skill. It enables you to recover from setbacks and face adversity more effectively.

My approach is always to redirect their focus from this nebulous concept of confidence to the concrete tasks at hand. These are tasks they have successfully completed numerous times. Whether they feel confident or not is irrelevant; the real key is maintaining focus in the moment.

I believe it's crucial, especially in social settings, to be both interesting and interested. Being well-informed and keeping up with current events make you more engaging, but showing genuine interest in others is key.

For me, etiquette transcends mere formalities; it's fundamentally about ensuring others feel at ease in your presence, regardless of their background or demeanour. It's this universal language of respect and inclusion that truly enriches our interactions.

I believe a key issue is this newfound ability to hide behind our screens, which gives a false sense of impunity, allowing people to express themselves without restraint. The more time we spend glued to our screens, the less we engage in meaningful, real-world exchanges.

Etiquette is the glue that holds society together. Humans are social creatures, after all—we need connection to survive. But with global cultures in flux and the post-pandemic digital age, shadow epidemics of anxiety and loneliness are on the rise.

Throughout the years, I've engaged in numerous conversations, yet the topic of languages has never surfaced. It's fascinating, truly. Reflecting on my childhood, growing up in an environment devoid of electricity and illuminated by candlelight, I didn't perceive it negatively. Such circumstances become the norm for a child, and the experience is shaped significantly by the parents' reaction.

The silence I employ has agency behind it. I choose to use it strategically as the pause between stimulus and response, differentiating a considered response from a mere reaction. We need more of this kind of silence.

Unlearning silence doesn't mean speaking incessantly—the world is far too noisy for that. Instead, it means understanding the difference between choosing to be silent and having silence imposed upon you. It's recognizing whether silence is additive or oppressive, whether it's reflective and generative or merely detracting.

Silence is, by definition, an absence—an absence of voice, opinion, and life. It begins so subtly that it often goes unnoticed. We start by withdrawing or withholding our genuine thoughts from conversations, replacing them with what we presume others want to hear.

Most accomplished individuals who continue to work well into their later years seldom wake up thinking solely about the day's earnings. Instead, their motivation lies in pursuing a passion, dedicating their lives to something they genuinely love. For them, money becomes more of a metric—a way to keep score.

British Businessman, Dragons' Den Investor & Retail Entrepreneur

Initially, my goal wasn't to become an entrepreneur; I was simply aiming to earn some money. Given my dyslexia, the academic path was not an option for me; there were no A-Levels or university in my future. My choices were stark: acquire a skill or venture into entrepreneurship. Naturally, I gravitated towards entrepreneurship.

British Businessman, Dragons' Den Investor & Retail Entrepreneur

Despite the absence of personal computers, tabletop games, board games, and card games filled this void. To me, the opportunity to govern a simulation of adulthood was immensely appealing, fostering significant cognitive and strategic development even in my youth.

Founder of Electronic Arts (EA) and 3DO Company

Interaction is paramount for cognitive development, enhancing intelligence through the growth of brain cells and the formation of new neurotransmitter connections. This concept of active engagement contrasts sharply with more passive forms of media consumption.

Founder of Electronic Arts (EA) and 3DO Company

Play is inherently interactive, granting agency whether indoors or outdoors. When competition was added into the mix, playing with friends introduced me to complex concepts like game theory, including strategies involving threats, promises, and bluffs.

Founder of Electronic Arts (EA) and 3DO Company

What stands out in the tapestry of human behaviour is our identity as storytelling beings, inherently non-rational, often organising our societies around peculiar beliefs. We've evolved within what they term a 'social cage' – a set of rigid rules and beliefs adherence to which determines our belonging to a group.

British journalist and author known for investigative reporting and psychology books