His most recent TED talk just went live and featured his newest bestseller, "Think Again," which advises us to rethink our goals, identities, and habits, and adopt a confident humility. It’s a welcome tonic in a world that has become so partisan and reactive.

But, what feels even more topical is his recent New York Times Op-Ed (oh, yeah, the guy seems to have an Op-Ed every other week in the Times...jeez) on how so many of us are “languishing” in the wake of the pandemic. Adam, an organizational psychologist, writes, “Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021.”

It’s worth a read, and, who knows, maybe next time someone asks you how you’re doing, instead of saying “fine,” you’ll feel comfortable saying you’re “languishing.” You may find you’re not the only one. I particularly appreciated the article's antidote for languishing: getting into a state of “flow,” a topic we cover at MEA.

Okay, so what’s my cure for Adam-envy? We mere mortals probably have envy in some form, although it often takes the form of indignation or resentment. After brushing off my tattered copy of "Emotional Equations," I recognized that if I added a little kindness to the mix (both for Adam and myself), I could turn this envy cocktail into admiration. Additionally, I can ask the question, “What can envy teach me?” and recognize that some of the good fortunes Adam has created in his life are within my grasp if I study and emulate his success. Finally, I can practice a little “mudita,” finding sympathetic joy in the success of others.

Adam, congrats on how much you influence the world with all your zeitgeisty writing!