How to Create a Fresh Start

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

About 40 percent of people in the United States make New Year’s resolutions. Are you one of them? I am. One of my resolutions for this year was to write 12 TAA blog posts. You might ask, “How many have you written so far?” Just one—the one you’re reading now. Between unexpected hardships, work commitments, and starting a graduate program in Happiness Studies, it was difficult to keep up with everything. As someone who loves to follow through my resolutions, I felt disappointed in myself for not staying committed to my goal. If you can relate to my story, you’ll be glad to know you don’t have to wait until New Year’s to renew your resolutions. A fresh start can happen much sooner than that.

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How to Set Effective Goals

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

The other day, I considered setting a goal to help me write more. This made me reflect on my time as a graduate student, when I was especially productive with my writing. Besides completing course assignments and publishing academic articles, I wrote a book (“Running into Happiness”) while working on my dissertation. How did I manage to accomplish all that? Have you ever looked back at a success and wondered how you achieved it? If so, you’re already using a key principle for setting effective goals. Here’s why.

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How You Can Build Grit

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, a member of my writing group complimented me on my dedication to my writing goals. She said, “You’re so good at staying focused on the goals you set for yourself.”

“I think it has a lot to do with grit,” I responded. Let me explain.

Angela Duckworth (2016) defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” Based on her book Grit, here are some key actions to build grit:

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How to Overcome Procrastination

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Do you see yourself as a procrastinator? If so, you’re not alone; many people feel the same, myself included.

Recently, I found myself putting off writing an article I needed to complete. Although I enjoy writing, I tend to procrastinate when the topic is unfamiliar and requires effort and energy. I decided it was time to learn more about how to overcome this habit, and I want to share some insights I gained from Tal Ben-Shahar (2023) in one of his lectures on the subject.

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Effective Writing Practices to Help You Make Progress

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

As a new semester begins, it’s essential to implement effective writing practices that can help you advance your projects. In this article, I share some key practices you should consider:

1. Incorporate Daily Writing, Short Writing Sessions, and Writing Logs

Achieving progress is one of the most satisfying feelings. To experience this, establish habits that lead you toward your goals and track your progress to provide visual evidence of your hard work.

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Why You Should Prioritize Rest

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, I spent about an hour doing nothing in particular. My husband and I sat outdoors; while he read, I stared at the sky. Surprisingly, even though I had two writing projects due soon, I didn’t feel guilty about taking the time to rest. Why?

Many writers, myself included, often overlook the importance of rest. We may view it as a waste of time or a reward we deserve only after completing a project. However, Claudia Hammond, author of The Art of Rest, argues that rest is essential and should be taken seriously.

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