Intentionally question why you think certain things and take particular actions, admitting you might not be as smart as you believe, to gain better self-understanding and increase happiness.
Regularly ask yourself ‘why do you think that?’ to challenge your own assumptions, beliefs, and values, helping you recognize what you don’t fully understand or if your views lack real justification.
Do not trust your first impressions about what you want or need; instead, actively examine your own assumptions about your desires and requirements to uncover your deeper self.
Challenge your initial beliefs about what makes you happy (e.g., money, external approval) by reflecting on past experiences and scientific findings, as our minds often mislead us in these areas.
When experiencing negative emotions or planning actions for happiness, intentionally examine the underlying reasons and identify concrete steps to address them, ensuring alignment with scientific insights.
Engage in mindfulness to authentically recognize what is going on inside you, removing distractions and focusing deliberate attention, serving as a non-verbal method of Socratic self-examination.
Be willing to doubt that you truly know yourself, especially regarding the motivations for your feelings or preferences, as our brains can misattribute causes (e.g., confusing physiological arousal for attraction).
Recognize that you know far less than you often think, as this fundamental insight is crucial for living a happier and more examined life.
Embrace the humility and temporary discomfort that comes with realizing you don’t fully know yourself, understanding that this recognition is a step towards greater transparency than false certainty.
When frustrated or procrastinating, ask yourself ‘why am I feeling this emotion?’ or ‘why am I putting this off?’ to uncover underlying reasons like unclear next steps or environmental factors.
Use the Socratic method by asking questions rather than giving answers to help yourself and others think through their commitments and bring their views into equilibrium or harmony.
Approach your self-questioning with the same compassion and responsibility you would show a friend, acknowledging challenges while still holding yourself accountable for personal growth.
Understand yourself better by learning about other people and utilizing scientific understanding of human behavior, recognizing that fundamental human tendencies apply broadly.
Be curious about the natural world and challenge societal norms, inherited truths, and cultural values, rather than accepting them without question, to live a more examined life.