Intrinsic motivation refers to the drive that comes from within - from genuine interest, enjoyment of the activity itself or the experience of meaning. It stands in contrast to extrinsic motivation, where external incentives such as rewards, recognition or pressure drive actions. Intrinsic motivation is considered to be more stable, sustainable and satisfying than external incentives.
Subjective well-being is the scientific term for what people often simply call "happiness" in everyday life - the personal assessment of how good one's life is. It encompasses emotional experiences (pleasant vs. unpleasant) as well as the cognitive evaluation of one's own life satisfaction.
Hedonia refers to the concept of happiness based on pleasure and well-being - the sum of pleasant experiences with as little pain as possible. As a philosophical and psychological category, it stands opposite the concept of eudaimonia and is a central building block in research into subjective well-being.
Eudaimonia is a term from Greek philosophy - coined primarily by Aristotle - and describes a deep, meaningful flourishing of the human being. It is not about fleeting pleasure, but about a life that is lived in harmony with one's own values, strengths and a greater purpose.
Journaling refers to the practice of regular, reflective writing - without a set form, without censorship, without readers. It can serve as a tool for self-knowledge, emotion regulation and mental clarity and is attracting growing attention in psychology and personal development.
Self-efficacy describes the inner conviction that you can achieve your own goals through your own actions - in other words, the belief that you can make a real difference. The concept goes back to the psychologist Albert Bandura and is considered one of the most important factors for motivation and well-being.
Resilience describes psychological resistance - the ability to cope with stressful experiences, setbacks or crises and to grow from them without being permanently shaken. It is not an innate characteristic, but an attitude and competence that can be developed.
Flow describes a state of complete, effortless immersion in an activity in which the sense of time disappears and action seems to happen by itself. The concept was coined by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and is considered a central element of subjective well-being.
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that describes the personal "reason for living" or the source of inner drive. It stands for what makes life feel meaningful and fulfilling - where passion, talent, need and livelihood come together.
Procrastination refers to the repeated, voluntary postponement of tasks despite the knowledge that this has negative consequences. It is not a case of laziness, but usually an emotion regulation strategy: the focus is on avoiding unpleasant feelings such as anxiety, boredom or being overwhelmed. Procrastination is widespread and can be sustainably reduced with targeted methods.
The growth mindset refers to the belief that skills, intelligence and talents can be developed through commitment, learning and perseverance. The term was coined by psychologist Carol Dweck and stands in contrast to the fixed mindset, which views characteristics as unchangeable. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats.
The habit loop describes the three-part neurological cycle that underlies every habit: Trigger, Routine and Reward. This model, popularized by Charles Duhigg, explains why habits are so persistent - and how you can change them in a targeted way. Understanding the loop is the first step in consciously reshaping automatic behavior patterns.
Salutogenesis is a concept developed by medical sociologist Aaron Antonovsky that asks what keeps people healthy - instead of what makes them ill, as in traditional medicine. The term is derived from the Latin "salus" (health) and the Greek "genesis" (origin). The focus is on the resources and factors that promote resilience and well-being.
The sense of coherence is a central concept from Aaron Antonovsky's salutogenesis model and describes a fundamental inner attitude that experiences life as understandable, manageable and meaningful. It is considered an important protective factor for mental and physical health. People with a strong sense of coherence deal with stress and uncertainty more flexibly and calmly.
Self-actualization refers to the human striving to fully develop one's own potential and live as an authentic personality. The term is closely linked to the humanist Abraham Maslow, who described self-actualization as the highest level of his pyramid of needs. It is not about perfection, but about continuous growth in the direction of one's own unique potential.
A hierarchy of values is a personal ranking of your own core values - i.e. the beliefs and principles that guide your actions and decisions. It makes it clear which values take priority in the event of conflict and helps you to make decisions in line with what is really important to you. A clear hierarchy of values is a key tool for personal development.
The comfort zone describes the psychological area in which a person moves safely, under control and without major tension. Within this zone, behavior and expectations are familiar - there is little stress, but also little growth. Personal development often begins exactly where the comfort zone ends.
Self-reflection is the ability to consciously observe and question one's own thoughts, feelings and actions. It makes it possible to recognize patterns, rethink decisions and shape one's own life more consciously. Regular self-reflection is considered one of the most important practices for personal growth and emotional intelligence.
Affirmation cards can change the way you see yourself—but how do they actually work? Here’s everything you need to know.
What really makes people happy? Science has some surprising answers - and they could change your perception of happiness forever.
Two paths to happiness, one big question: What really contributes to a fulfilled life - pleasure or meaning?
How reflection cards with open questions can stimulate self-awareness, how to use them and how EFT and the app deepen the practice.
What mindfulness cards are, how short impulses can direct your attention to the moment and how an app can accompany your daily practice.
What impulse cards are, how short impulses can open up new perspectives and how an app interactively deepens the impulses.
What emotion cards are, how they can help you to name emotions and what you can look out for when using them - even with children.
What makes people resilient? The 7 pillars of resilience show how inner strength develops - and how you can build it up in a targeted way.
The 21-day myth has been disproved - real habit change takes an average of 66 days. What neuroplasticity, habit loops and the Fogg model really teach us.
Only 15% feel engaged at work. Ikigai, job crafting and strengths research show how professional fulfillment is really created.
Visualization, flow-state and pre-performance routines - sports psychology shows how mental training can take performance to any level.
Over 3,000 studies show that self-compassion is more effective than self-esteem boosting. What Kristin Neff and the research know about genuine self-love.
Self-determination theory, the dopamine system and implementation intentions - science explains what really drives us and how we can use it.
What Gottman research, the Harvard long-term study and emotion-focused therapy know about lasting love and fulfilling relationships.
Attachment theory, ACE study and transgenerational patterns - how family research helps us to heal old wounds and develop new relationship patterns.
Self-doubt is neurobiologically normal - but you can learn to overcome it. Five scientifically proven strategies for finding inner strength.
Imposter syndrome, self-esteem and inner strength - what science knows about genuine self-confidence and which methods have been proven to work.
What does research really say about personal growth? Discover the seven science-based pillars that have been proven to lead to a more fulfilling life.
What is resilience really? Find out how science and research have shaped our understanding of psychological resilience.