Steven C. Hayes, psychotherapist and creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), discusses his journey and the development of ACT. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to self-improvement and shares his reflections on teaching, embracing difficult emotions, and the pursuit of success. The podcast explores the philosophy and tools behind transformation, explains ACT and psychological flexibility, and discusses living a life of significance through care, love, and connection.
The pivot towards true belonging and authentic self-acceptance leads to peace and fulfillment.
Practicing diffusion methods helps create distance from negative thoughts and gain perspective.
Cultivating psychological flexibility allows for adaptive patterns, well-being, and a meaningful life.
Deep dives
The Yearning for Belonging
One of the main pivots discussed in the podcast episode is the yearning for belonging. Many of our actions and thoughts are driven by a deep desire to belong, to be seen, accepted, and loved by others. However, our minds often lead us astray by creating narratives and stories that tell us we need to be special or different to be included. This creates a sense of disconnection and internal struggle. The pivot is to shift our focus from trying to fit into the predefined roles and expectations to exploring a sense of self that is more about consciousness, connectedness, and acceptance. By embracing our authentic selves and connecting with others on a deeper level, we can experience true belonging and find peace and fulfillment in our lives.
Reining in the Problem-Solving Mind
Another pivot discussed is the need to rein in our literal problem-solving mind. While we naturally seek understanding and coherence in our lives, our minds often generate chaos through constant analysis and judgments. We may find ourselves caught in thoughts that create self-doubt, negativity, or resistance. The pivot here is to practice diffusion methods, which involves stepping back and noticing thoughts as just thoughts, without attaching too much importance or belief to them. This can be done through techniques like singing a troublesome thought to the tune of 'Happy Birthday' or repeating it rapidly for 30 seconds. By creating distance from our thoughts and not taking them too seriously, we can gain perspective and experience a sense of cognitive freedom and peace.
Embracing Psychological Flexibility
The overall theme of the podcast episode is the importance of cultivating psychological flexibility. This involves actively choosing to be open, aware, and engaged in our lives rather than being rigid and driven by avoidance, attachment, or inflexibility. It means accepting our emotions, thoughts, and sensations without judgment and being fully present in the moment. Psychological flexibility allows us to pivot from unhelpful patterns to more adaptive ones, leading to greater well-being, resilience, and the ability to navigate life's challenges with grace. By practicing the six pivots and adopting a mindset of psychological flexibility, we can cultivate a liberated mind and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
The Power of Psychological Flexibility
Psychological flexibility is the ability to learn from and experience your own thoughts and feelings, consciously be present in the moment, and direct your attention towards what is personally meaningful. It involves accepting and diffusing from negative thoughts and emotions, rather than trying to suppress or control them. By using techniques like giving your mind a name, using funny voices, or imagining thoughts as objects, you can diminish their power over you and live a values-based life. This approach challenges the idea that positive thinking and affirmations are always effective, showing that they can backfire in certain situations. It emphasizes the importance of being psychologically flexible and allowing thoughts and emotions to exist without overwhelming or defining you.
The Journey to a Liberated Mind
Liberation of the mind involves stripping away the masks and expectations that society places on us. It is not about transformation, but rather about allowing yourself to be who you truly are. This path starts with a spiritual or transcendent sense of self that goes beyond evaluation and form. The concept of a liberated mind is connected to acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment to behaviors aligned with personal values. By cultivating psychological flexibility, which includes the ability to take perspective, feel empathy, and stay present even in discomfort, we can navigate the challenges of the modern world. Creating a liberated mind allows us to find meaning and purpose while opening up our acceptance and diffusion skills to a world filled with suffering. A significant life is one that acknowledges the inherent significance in all individuals, regardless of their role or station in society.
Steven Hayes was a young psychology professor when he started having debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Let down by conventional wisdom, he developed his own approach, which eventually grew into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a powerful, evidence-based form of not just therapy, but liberation. His work has since influenced decades of psychotherapy and is now practiced by tens of thousands of clinicians all around the world. His latest book is A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters.
Have you discovered your Sparketype yet? Take the Sparketype Assessment™ now. IT’S FREE (https://sparketype.com/) and takes about 7-minutes to complete. At a minimum, it’ll open your eyes in a big way. It also just might change your life.
If you enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend. Thank you to our super cool brand partners. If you like the show, please support them - they help make the podcast possible.