Six Psychology Tricks That Really Do Help

Let me tell you a simple tale.

During World War II, a talented mathematician called Abraham Wald was charged with salvaging bomber aircraft. The military showed him jets riddled with bullet holes and asked where they should increase protection.

biggest people would’ve answered, “Cover the spots with the most holes.”

He suggested the opposite: “Armor the spots without bullet holes.”

Confused? Later—the aircraft with holes were the ones that survived. The others didn’t come back.

What’s truly going on here is that occasionally the remedy isn’t evident.

Sometimes, it’s the reverse of what you think.

And that’s precisely what we shall witness today: psychological tactics that look easy yet twist reality on its head.

1. The “I’m Not Interested” Effect: How Indifference Makes You More Attractive

Here’s what nobody admits: hounding people never pays off—in love, friendship, or business.

Think about it.

Haven’t you always been pulled to that individual who is tough, secretive, or a little uninterested?

That’s no coincidence. It’s psychology.

When you’re indifferent, you represent self-sufficiency. People know you’re valued because you’re not begging for their attention.

How to implement this:

• Stop over-explaining and defending yourself.
• Focus on your own objectives and hobbies—let curiosity come to you.
• Remember, scarcity enhances value.

2. Power of Silence: Saying Nothing Can Win Any Argument

There’s always that dispute where words keep flying back and forth with no conclusion.

What no one speaks about is the quiet weapon: silence itself.

In difficult times, stillness becomes unpleasant. The other person typically fills the space, exposing their genuine sentiments or weaknesses in their argument.

How to utilize it:

• Instead of responding emotionally, take a stop.
• Look at them and keep perfectly calm.
• Let the quiet do the job—it's disarming and gives you power.

3. How Guilt Manipulates You (And How to Spot It in Others)

How many times have you done something merely because you felt guilty?

Manipulators know this. They use shame as a weak but extremely efficient tactic to distort your emotions and gain what they want.

You’re letting guilt dominate your life more than you acknowledge.

Signs you’re being persuaded by guilt:

• Someone repeatedly reminds you of how they “helped” you.
• You consent to things even if it bothers you.
• They constantly blame you for the dispute.

What to do:

• Identify when guilt is being used as a weapon.
• Establish clear limits (see Section 6).
• Stop over-apologizing because it gives manipulators greater power.

4. People Judge You More on Your Weaknesses Than Your Strengths

We all know people remember your shortcomings more than your triumphs.

I know—bad luck. But it’s human nature. Weaknesses stick out because they’re simple to observe and critique.

What counts most is how you manage your flaws—that's what makes your image.

What you can do:

• Own your shortcomings; it makes you resistant to selfish criticism.
• Don’t overcompensate; it displays insecurity.
• Use self-awareness as a weapon—it shows strength.

“Your weaknesses only have as much power as the fear you give them.”

5. The Confidence Hack: Act Like You Don’t Care (Until You Actually Don’t)

Confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s fearlessness.

We all worry too much about what others think.

Here’s the trick: act like you don’t. Fake it till it becomes genuine.

How to do it:

• Slow your motions—a calm body promotes a peaceful mind.
• Replace negative self-talk with neutral language like “I’m here to learn.”
• Focus on the greater picture; most people won’t even remember what you accomplished.

6. Why People Respect Boundaries Only When You Enforce Them

If there’s one thing I’ve battled with as an introvert, it’s saying “no.”

The problem? Once you let people break your limits, they’ll keep doing it again and again until you are exploited fully for their own benefit.

Why? Because you taught them it’s alright. It was your fault all along, and the worst part is you knew.

What’s actually going on: Boundaries aren’t simply what you say—they're what you enforce.

How to construct unshakable boundaries:

• Be clear and uncompromising. A simple “I cannot do that” works—no explanation is required.
• Enforce repercussions when others overstep (e.g., restrict their access to you).