Anthony Verdino Talks About Simplifying CBT and Finding Balance Through Mindful Productivity

Oct 22, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, Anthony Verdino, a licensed clinical social worker and author of CBT Simplified, shares how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can enhance everyday productivity. He emphasizes the importance of small mindset shifts, like reframing 'should' into 'could,' to foster empowerment. Anthony also tackles perfectionism, burnout, and the necessity of self-care. He offers practical action-initiation strategies to combat procrastination and highlights how consistent reflection makes CBT principles a natural part of life.

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INSIGHT

CBT As A Simple Triangle

CBT connects thoughts, actions, and feelings using a simple triangle model anyone can remember.
Anthony simplified CBT into one-page visuals to make it usable in busy modern lives.

ADVICE

Start With Self‑Monitoring

Do self-monitoring first to notice distractions, triggers, and actions that hurt productivity.
Use brief, mindful check-ins instead of long journals to assess thinking and behavior.

ADVICE

Reframe Shoulds Into Coulds

Try reframing negative “should” statements into empowering “could” options to reduce guilt.
Challenge biased thinking and pull out a silver lining to motivate instead of beat yourself up.

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In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anthony Verdino — a licensed clinical social worker and author of CBT Simplified. Drawing from both his professional expertise and personal story of resilience, Anthony shares how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be applied beyond the therapy room — into the way we think, act, and feel in our everyday lives.

We explore how small shifts in thought and behavior can create profound changes in productivity and well-being, especially in a world that often mistakes busyness for progress. Anthony offers practical ways to align mindset with action and shows how reframing, acceptance, and self-care can transform not just how we work, but how we live.

Six Discussion Points

The core principles of CBT and how Anthony distilled them into a simple, visual model
How self-monitoring and self-assessment connect directly to productivity and personal growth
Why reframing “should” into “could” turns guilt into empowerment
The danger of perfectionism and how embracing imperfection fosters balance and progress
The role of self-care and mindfulness in preventing burnout and building resilience
How to make CBT principles second nature through consistent reflection and small, mindful actions

Three Connection Points

Our conversation reminded me how productivity and psychology share the same foundation: awareness and choice. Whether you’re managing your focus, emotions, or time, the work begins by observing your thoughts, reframing them, and then moving forward — not perfectly, but intentionally.

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