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šā”#76: Finding Flow State, Writing 'Mind Movies', Digital Twins & Creating Belonging
Your midweek pick-me-up of news, inspiration and fresh perspectives to power up your life
Adam Reed
July 17, 2024
In partnership with
Hi, and welcome to issue #76 of The Power Up - your midweek boost to see you through to the weekend.
This week Iām mostly enjoying a much-needed sports break, after over-indulging on Wimbledon and the Euros in recent weeks.
Still, I couldnāt help but mention the tennis and football in this weekās curated selection that includes:
This Week
I hope you enjoy this weekās edit. But as ever, let me know if you have any feedback, or things youād like to see more or less of.
Flow state training:
10 tips to help you get in the zone
Watching Carlos Alcarazās near flawless victory over Novak Djokovic in Sundayās Wimbledon Menās Singles Final, one could only marvel at the beauty of an athlete performing at the very peak of their powers.
Alcaraz appeared to be in a complete flow state for practically all of the 2 hour 28 minute match - blowing away Djokovicās hopes of a 25th Grand Slam title.
But we donāt need to be generational tennis talents to experience flow state. We can find flow in our work, in our hobbies, even in our housework. And when weāre in a flow state, weāre able to maximise our productivity and effectiveness, and overcome challenges with ease. Flow also has the welcome side effect of making activities feel more fulfilling.
This article from Calm breaks down the meaning of flow state, its benefits, and how to get āin the zoneā.
The benefits of gratitude and how to practice it
While itās not always easy, being grateful for the positives in life can have a profound impact on our mood, outlook, and overall wellbeing.
This article looks at the benefits of practising gratitude and provides actionable tips on how to cultivate more of it in our lives.
Are we in the middle of a generosity crisis?
For the second year in a row, the philanthropy research foundation Giving USA reported that fewer Americans are donating to nonprofits than they used to, and the total amount of giving is declining once inflation is taken into account.
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This simple writing technique can turn your copy into a āMind Movieā
By following three simple rules itās possible to transform your copywriting to be more human and create powerful mental images in the mind of your reader, in ways that AI copy just isnāt capable of.
āI hope every copywriter reading this finds solace in the fact that writing is just our medium, the vessel through which we put a mirror in front of our audience, and reflect something patently human and imperfect and true,ā writes the founder of VeryGoodCopy, Eddie Shleyner.
How your heartās digital twin might just save your life
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are creating digital twins of real patientsā hearts to predict the location of irregular rhythms and plan out future procedures to fix them.
Gut health gets a glow up
Gut health has emerged as a prominent talking point in wellness culture The New York Times observed in its recent āHealth Trends That Are Defining 2024ā piece.
āPastel cans of prebiotic sodas have popped up on store shelves; the microbiome has gone mainstream; and people are adding apple cider vinegar into their drinks, hoping to cure acid reflux.
āAmid all the hype, gastroenterologists want to clarify a few things: namely, that there are ways to help the gut, but few are trendy. Eat plenty of fiber, limit processed foods and lower stress to keep your belly happy and healthy.ā
Obesity linked to 32 types of cancer and might be fuelling 40% of cases
A new study has revealed that obesity may account for 32 types of cancer and 90 cancer subtypes. This article explores 18 ways to tackle obesity to reduce the risks.
How to create more belonging for yourself and others
How we treat each other can make a huge difference in whether we feel like we fit in or not.
Feeling like we belong means being part of a group that accepts and values us for who we are, where we can contribute and feel grounded, maybe even at home.
When we lack that sense of belonging it can have harmful effects on our wellbeing. We might feel more threatened and stressed, and we might even look for belonging in the wrong places, like extremist groups.
But the good news is there are little things we can do every day to help ourselves and others feel like we truly belong.
Why āBoy Cultureā is hurting boys and everyone else
In recent years, men are reporting they have fewer friends and sources of intimacy than ever before. In 2021 only 27% of men reported having at least six close friends, compared to 55% in 1990.
And thatās a problem for everyone, because the lonelier men are, the more their well-being and relationships suffer. Loneliness can lead to violence, or even suicide.
In her new book, Rebels With a Cause, psychologist Niobe Way makes an impassioned plea to adapt our cultural values and views around masculinity and better support boys and men in reaching their full humanity.
The Power Up Recommendsā¦
If you like The Power Up, Iām sure youāll love my other newsletter, Innovation in Sport, in which I bring you the latest stories shaping the sports weāll be watching, competing in and engaging with in the future.
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Environmental Psychology: How your surroundings shape your mind
You might be wondering, why is there a section on home environment in The Power Up?
Well, environmental psychology teaches us that our surroundings have a big impact on our creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.
This article looks at how to design your environment with intention - including the creativity benefits of having a messy desk.
How to celebrate your wins at work without coming across as a jerk
Many of us grew up learning to downplay our achievements and just focus on getting the job done. But here's the thing: to really boost our careers, we need to do both. It's important to not only accomplish our tasks but also to confidently share our successes.
When we talk about our contributions, we showcase our talents and stay on the radar for bigger opportunities. So, celebrating our wins isn't just a nice extra. It's essential.
Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons by Jessica ChenJessica Chen teaches readers how to show up and stand out at work without compromising their personal values. |  |
Rebels with a Cause, Reimagining Boys, Ourselves, and Our Culture, by Niobe WayNYU professor of developmental psychology Niobe Way has made an in-depth exploration about what boys and young men teach us about themselves, us, and the toxic culture we have created, one in which we value money over people, toys over human connection, and academic achievement over kindness. |  |
 | Why is medieval art so weird?A new book offers a guide to the unusual visual style of the Middle Ages. |
 | How will your city feel in the future?Climate scientists say that weāre headed for more than a two degree rise in earthās temperatures. What does that really look like? |
 | Why you shouldnāt unpack your suitcase immediately after travelling |
The questions around us principally come down to character; the essential ability to withstand events that go against you.
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See you next time,
Adam
Gif by england on Giphy