Brad Stulberg, author of Master of Change, shares deeply researched wisdom on embracing change and becoming resilient. The chapter explores cultural differences in perception of change, acceptance of pain, benefits of Athletic Greens' AG1, navigating traumatic change, finding stability amidst chaos, and identifying with values.
Embracing change and viewing it as an opportunity for growth and adaptability is a more resilient approach in navigating the evolving nature of life without fear.
Resilience comes from accepting that pain is a part of life and anticipating its occurrence, rather than fighting against it, while embracing change and having a sense of community support can aid in enduring and adapting to even the most traumatic life changes.
Giving oneself time to grow and find meaning in difficult experiences, accepting that some experiences may just suck before finding growth and meaning in them, and having stability and routine in one's life to navigate through change effectively are important aspects of mastering change.
Deep dives
Change as an Inevitable Part of Life
Change is an inherent aspect of life that affects various areas, such as our careers, relationships, bodies, health, and emotions. Fighting against change is unproductive and often leads to suffering. Instead, embracing change and viewing it as an opportunity for growth and adaptability is a more resilient approach. The book 'Master of Change' provides researched insights from science and philosophy on how to navigate change effectively.
Understanding the Nature of Change
Change is not an aberration; rather, it is the fundamental nature of life. The idea of trying to return to a state of normalcy is flawed because change is constant, and there is no going back to what was. By accepting change as an ongoing reality and shifting our mindset to embrace it, we can empower ourselves to navigate the evolving nature of life without fear.
Pain, Suffering, and Resilience
Distinguishing between pain and suffering is crucial in navigating change. Pain is a physical or psychological sensation causing discomfort, while suffering is the resistance and struggle against pain. Skillfully managing pain involves acceptance and problem-solving without excessive resistance. Resilience comes from accepting that pain is a part of life and anticipating its occurrence, rather than fighting against it. Embracing change and having a sense of community support can aid in enduring and adapting to even the most traumatic life changes.
The Importance of Allowing Time for Growth and Meaning
In the podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the importance of giving oneself time to grow and find meaning in difficult experiences. They mention that not all trauma can be easily overcome, but for less severe challenges like a breakup or a layoff, meaning and lessons can be found over time. The speaker cites the research of psychologist Dan Gilbert, who talks about the psychological immune system and how healing can take time for psychological pain, just like physical pain. They share a personal story of their own experience with mental health struggles, highlighting the significance of accepting that some experiences may just suck before finding growth and meaning in them.
The Value of Stability and Routine in Dealing with Change
The speaker discusses the importance of having stability and routine in one's life to navigate through change effectively. They explain that having predictable elements in one's life provides a sense of control and allows for meeting the unpredictable aspects of the world with more confidence. The speaker mentions the need to simplify one's life and focus on controllable aspects, creating a foundation for dealing with external changes. They use the example of going to the gym to lift weights, which empowers an individual to engage with the world outside. The speaker also highlights that having a routine helps conserve cognitive and emotional energy, allowing for better processing of external chaos and fostering creativity.
Like it or not, change is inevitable. Your career, relationships, body, health, mood are all in constant motion. We can fight it but it’s unproductive and leads to suffering.
Our pal Brad Stulberg is back on the show to help us look at change differently. His new book Master of Change: How To Excel When Everything Is Changing - Including You is full of deeply researched wisdom from science and philosophy that will help you become more resilient and adaptable.
