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Stuckness is a universal experience in various aspects of life, such as finances, relationships, work, and creativity. Overcoming this stuckness is crucial to achieving breakthroughs in critical moments. The podcast delves into how being stuck emotionally and strategically leads to the need for creative solutions to break out of these situations and move forward.
Financial stuckness encompasses issues like self-control, inadequate savings, and a lack of resources for desired goals. Financial advisors can assist individuals in becoming financially unstuck by focusing on the purpose of money, understanding clients' goals, and helping them envision how financial freedom translates into meaningful experiences.
Lifequakes represent major life events that can positively or negatively impact one's life. Understanding the inevitability of lifequakes and preparing for them can aid in navigating these transitions effectively. By embracing change and recognizing that hardships are part of the human experience, individuals can better manage life's unexpected challenges and strive for contentment.
Many individuals believe that their best ideas will come effortlessly at the beginning of a task, assuming that ideas 16 to 20 will be of lower quality due to the increased difficulty. However, research suggests that initial ideas, typically ideas 1 to 5, are often unoriginal and resemble commonly generated concepts. Diverging from conventional thinking and persisting through the perceived difficulty can lead to breakthrough moments, where truly innovative and unique ideas emerge. By pushing through the initial struggle and continuing the creative process, individuals can tap into the magic that lies beyond their initial concepts.
Luck plays a significant role in success, as timing and opportunities align to enable breakthrough moments. The concept of 'making your own luck' emphasizes the importance of actively engaging in the process and remaining open to serendipitous events. Understanding the impact of time on success reveals that progress and achievements are influenced by historical contexts and societal developments. By staying resilient and in the game, individuals increase their chances of encountering favorable circumstances and experiencing unplanned triumphs.
Feeling stuck is a common human experience and almost all of us will go through it at some point in our lives. Whether it’s relationship struggles, dissatisfaction with work, an inability to progress financially, or a pending midlife crisis, all of these situations can bring up a range of mixed emotions like anxiety, fear, anger, and even numbness. We are joined today by Adam Alter, whose new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most serves as a much-needed guide to help readers escape inertia and flourish in the face of freedom. Adam is a professor of marketing at New York University's Stern School of Business with an affiliated appointment in the New York University Psychology Department. His research is primarily focused on judgment, decision-making, and social psychology, and his two previous books, Irresistible and Drunk Tank Pink, are both highly acclaimed New York Times best-sellers. In today’s episode, we talk with Adam about the concept behind Anatomy of a Breakthrough, the many forms that feeling stuck can take, and what he has learned about getting unstuck. Tuning in you’ll learn about the fundamentals of goal-setting, why striving for excellence is infinitely more sustainable than settling for nothing less than perfection, and how learning to enjoy the journey will help you find meaning and avoid the aimlessness that can come after achieving your goal. We also get into the nature of breakthroughs, the role of luck and creativity, plus a whole lot more. To hear all of Adam’s thought-provoking insights and practical advice on getting unstuck, be sure to tune in!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:00:18) Introducing today’s guest, Adam Alter, and the concept behind his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough.
(0:05:41) An overview of the many ways that you can be financially stuck, the role of financial advisors, and when you should seek out help and guidance.
(0:09:04) Insight into the different types of stuckness and how to recognize when you’re stuck.
(0:12:42) Why people tend to question their lives with the arrival of a new decade.
(0:17:10) Unpacking the risks and benefits of major life decisions and the concept of lifequakes.
(0:20:25) The boundless nature of goal-setting and how it impacts the search for contentment.
(0:23:27) How lifequakes influence the search for contentment and how to prepare for them.
(0:26:00) What a breakthrough looks like, how it interacts with creativity, and the role of luck.
(0:35:17) A breakdown of the random impact rule; particularly in the context of careers.
(0:38:01) One key practical difference between striving for excellence versus perfection.
(0:40:05) The originality trap: why trying to do something completely new can cause paralysis.
(0:43:13) Understanding the plateau effect: why being stuck can actually be a sign of progress.
(0:44:23) The fundamentals of goal setting: the dangers of setting unachievable goals and the benefits of making it about the journey rather than the destination.
(0:49:03) Advice for processing the success of other; especially in the age of social media, and how Adam defines success.
Links From Today’s Episode:
Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/
Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/
Rational Reminder on X — https://twitter.com/RationalRemind
Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/
Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.caBenjamin Felix — https://www.pwlcapital.com/author/benjamin-felix/
Benjamin on X — https://twitter.com/benjaminwfelix
Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/
Cameron Passmore — https://www.pwlcapital.com/profile/cameron-passmore/
Cameron on X — https://twitter.com/CameronPassmore
Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/
Adam Alter — https://adamalterauthor.com/
Adam Alter on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamleealter
Adam Alter on Twitter — https://twitter.com/adamleealter
Hal Hershfield — https://www.halhershfield.com/
Bruce Feiler — https://www.brucefeiler.com/
Books From Today’s Episode:
Anatomy of a Breakthrough — https://adamalterauthor.com/anatomy
Irresistible — https://adamalterauthor.com/irresistible
Drunk Tank Pink — https://adamalterauthor.com/drunk-tank-pink
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode