We talk about how we can walk away from a bad mood, suggest an idea for giving very thoughtful gifts (that are easy to do), and discuss excellent suggestions from a Rebel and an Obliger about self-management.

The year is hitting the half-way mark, so we review our “21 for 2021” lists to mark our progress (and lack of progress). We also review a hack for clearing the mind, and Elizabeth gets both a demerit and a gold star related to work.

In this bonus episode sponsored by Dell Technologies, we explore how small-business owners and entrepreneurs can use the “Four Tendencies” personality profiles to know themselves and others better. This framework can improve communication, end procrastination, reduce conflict, and help people work more effectively with clients, customers, co-workers—and themselves.

For those in the mood for spring cleaning, we suggest clearing clutter by asking “Do I use it, need it, love it?” We talk about April Fool’s Day pranks, ideas for using the return to the workplace as a “clean slate” for starting healthy habits, and hear from Rebels about how to deal with a Rebel teacher who won’t read school emails.

Understanding my Four Tendencies personality framework, and my own Tendency as an Upholder, revealed to me why I’d behaved inexplicably years ago, when I took my daughter to school in a snowstorm.

We discuss why you might confront a clutter-related conflict, how to use the Four Tendencies personality framework to help tackle clutter and chores, and talk Anne Mercogliano about a fun activity while safer-at-home.

We discuss why you might want to create a ritual to “Exorcise 2020” and share terrific suggestions from listeners, and our own ideas, for how to bid farewell to 2020. We also talk about a tech -related hack that makes it easier to fall asleep, and discuss ways for people to stick to a schedule when working from home.

In Karl Ove Knausgaard’s essay “Summer,” he perfectly describes an example of Obliger-rebellion that’s turned toward the self: he eats a second ice-cream cone in front of the envious eyes of his children.

Fight through post-holiday haze, how to get more reading done, tackle the challenge of New Year’s resolutions—and an office-party demerit.

Want to learn whether you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel—and what that means? Gretchen gives a quick overview of her popular personality framework, and explains how you can use it to end procrastination, reduce conflict, and stick to good habits. Plus an interview with an Obliger about how she learned how to harness the strengths of her Tendency.