Good Life Project How to Stop Feeling Like It's You Against the World | Scott Barry Kaufman
4 snips
Sep 8, 2025 
Scott Barry Kaufman, a Columbia professor renowned for his work on human potential and creativity, shares profound insights into overcoming a victim mindset. He discusses the importance of shifting perspectives on boredom and self-talk to unlock personal empowerment. The conversation explores the psychological effects of decision-making and the significance of setting boundaries. Kaufman emphasizes the joy found in self-discovery, gratitude, and community, offering practical strategies to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
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Victim Mindset Is A Persistent Lens
- A victim mindset is different from being a victim of events; it becomes a persistent lens that blames the past and removes agency.
- Staying in that mindset fosters helplessness and obscures personal resilience.
Challenge Personalization Quickly
- Catch yourself personalizing ambiguous events and challenge the leap to malevolent intent.
- Replace cursing the situation with gratitude or curiosity to strengthen resilience.
Boredom As Possibility
- Boredom can be reframed as a state of possibility, not lack.
- Embracing boredom widens options compared to compulsive, narrow-focused urges.
