Impostor syndrome: “I don't know what I'm doing. It's only a matter of time until everyone finds out." Growth mindset: "I don't know what I'm doing yet. It's only a matter of time until I figure it out." The highest form of self-confidence is believing in your ability to learn.

A common source of disappointment is recency bias: weighing the last week more heavily than the last year. Zooming in on the immediate past magnifies slumps. Zooming out farther reveals upward slopes. Progress is rarely visible at a snapshot in time. It unfolds over a lifetime.

Too many people wait until they're exhausted or depressed to make change or seek help. Mental health isn't something to put on the back burner. We can't keep good habits in storage until we need them. Mental hygiene should be as ingrained in our daily routine as dental hygiene.