This week’s insights for a better life:

Guilt = Career Sabotage?

People who feel guilty about personal things will often sabotage their professional careers. Unresolved guilt creates a subconscious need to be punished, and creates the feeling that "I don't deserve success, peace, or recognition."

Reflection: Is there something bothering your conscience that might be holding you back in your career?

_{(more: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.115.2.243)}

Intimacy = Imperfection

People who struggle with intimacy are often afraid they have to be perfect in order to be loved. This makes them hide their true selves, which can make them seem distant or closed off, when in reality they're just feeling afraid of rejection.

Reflection: What part of yourself might you be hiding from your spouse or significant other? Is it time to open up?

_{(more: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.52.3.511)}

A Reliable Way to Feel WORSE

People who try to ignore or bottle up their bad feelings just end up feeling more of them. But people who let themselves feel their emotional pain usually find that it doesn't hurt as much or last as long as they feared.

Reflection: What pain are you tired of avoiding?

_{(more: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.106.1.95)}

Smile power!

Sponsored: Ever notice that when a stranger smiles at you, you can’t help but smile back? Apparel designer Stephen Rowdy Pieper discovered that the “Smile Power Effect” is even more powerful when it comes from a whimsical face. He and his family were inspired to launch an entire apparel line of fun tees and hoodies to bring more smiles to kids and adults alike.

Until next Thursday,