Talks at Google

How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World | Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Apr 22, 2025

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, an award-winning neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, discusses her book, "Tiny Experiments." She challenges the conventional linear notion of success and proposes a circular model of growth. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing curiosity and experimentation in both personal and professional life. Anne encourages self-observation for enhanced emotional understanding and introduces the concept of self-anthropology to help individuals track their experiences and foster meaningful change.

54:33

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Anne-Laure Le Cunff

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Quick takeaways

Switching from a linear model of success to a circular one fosters adaptability and ongoing personal growth.

Embracing uncertainty as a source of curiosity encourages a mindset that transforms challenges into learning opportunities.

Tiny experiments allow for manageable exploration of ideas, minimizing fear around failure by focusing on continuous improvement and insights.

Deep dives

The Shift from Linear to Circular Success

A key insight is the shift from a linear model of success, which emphasizes a clear path and specific outcomes, to a circular model that embraces ongoing growth and learning. The traditional linear model often leads individuals to measure their success against rigid benchmarks and external standards, creating pressure and potential burnout. In contrast, the circular model promotes adaptability, where goals evolve based on experiences and discovery. This perspective allows individuals to engage with uncertainty more creatively, treating each setback not as a failure but as a learning opportunity.

Intro

5min

Rethinking Success in a Non-Linear World

3min

Embracing Curiosity Through Experimentation

16min

The Power of Self-Observation and Experimentation

13min

Exploring Cognitive Scripts in Decision-Making

4min

Embracing Self-Anthropology

14min

Award-winning neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff joins Google to talk about her book, “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World.” Her book is a guide for how to live a more experimental life, turn uncertainty into curiosity, and carve a path of self-discovery. Anne shares why we should replace the old, linear model of success with a circular model of growth, where goals are constantly discovered, pursued, and adapted in conversation with the larger world.

Anne is the founder of Ness Labs and writes a weekly newsletter that’s read by more than 100,000 people. Her research at King’s College London focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability. She previously worked at Google as an executive on digital health projects.

Watch this episode at youtube.com/TalksAtGoogle.