A lot of us chase self-improvement by following whoever sounds most sure. A guru, a trend, a morning routine that went viral. The trouble is that a path built for someone else may not take you anywhere useful. This post looks at why, using meditation as the example, and at a simple way to find the habits that work for you. Meditation: great for some, rough for others Meditation can change a life, but it has downsides. A 1992 study found that 62% of meditators reported adverse effects, and 7.4% had severe ones. These included emotional stress, confusion, disorientation, and anxiety, together called "falling into the pit of the void." You'd never guess that from the market. Meditation apps, books, and gurus are everywhere, and the hype is hard to ignore. There is a lot of research backing meditation, but that doesn't mean it works for everyone. We are all different Something that works for a Silicon Valley executive who meditates for hours may not suit you. People diffe...