The OptimalWork Podcast

#122: The classic example of a courageous person is one who can approach the possibility of death in battle. But this case has little to do with work in the modern world. Is courage, then, irrelevant? In this episode, we discuss what courage means in a modern work context and why it is not just relevant, but essential for thriving.

#121: As you start to develop a new habit, you may meet internal resistance. Far from being a sign that you’re failing to build a virtuous cycle, facing internal resistance is actually a sign that you’re on the verge of real progress. Resistance is necessary in order to build true and lasting momentum and connect your new habits to deeper and more meaningful motives. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#120: Whenever we do something repeatedly, we’ll tend eventually to do it in a rote, automatic way. This even applies to OptimalWork’s core practices: reframing, mindfulness, and challenge. In this episode we show how curiosity can help you overcome this tendency and bring a sense of newness to every challenge you face. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#119: This episode is a deep dive into the relationship between Internal Family Systems (IFS), a growing method of psychotherapy, and OptimalWork. We can view friction in life as different parts of us locked in conflict, ultimately seeking to avoid a painful emotion. Through work — and the practice of reframing, mindfulness, and challenge — we can learn to redirect the energy that powers these parts to work for us. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#118: If you think you waste too much time—for example, on social media, internet, and entertainment—there is likely some part of you that is urging you to do better. In this episode, we show how to redirect the energy of these different “parts” of you—the one seeking entertainment, and the one criticizing your time wasting—in order to integrate them and achieve inner harmony. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#117: What is the appropriate attitude toward your career? At one extreme, some treat it as merely a way of getting a paycheck. At the other, some place all hopes for fulfillment in life in their career. In this episode, we discuss how to approach your career in a way that brings out the best in you, but doesn’t make an idol of success. We want to give credit to Terry Trespicio, whose excellent Ted Talk "Stop searching for your passion" was the source of a number of ideas discussed in this episode. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBaFL7sCb8&ab_channel=TEDxTalks. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#116: In the world of work, many counsel that you should build on your strengths and depend on others to shore up your weaknesses. Is this prudent advice, or just another version of fixed mindset? In this episode, we discuss the evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, and what practical conclusions to draw from this type of analysis. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#115: In this episode, we discuss how scary movies can give you all the practice you need in accepting anxiety. Watching scary movies may be the easiest way to learn to turn fear into excitement and enjoyment. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#114: Last episode, we discussed the framework of givers and takers developed by Adam Grant. Surprisingly, givers tend to cluster at the bottom and the top of organizations, while takers occupy the middle. In this episode, we discuss how to be a successful giver: through flexibility and bringing out the best in others. A successful giver helps those around him or her become givers too. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.

#113: We often emphasize generosity as a crowning ideal: a key character quality to strive for. But this raises some questions. Should you just give everything to everyone? What are the limits? What if people start to take advantage of your generosity? In this episode, we discuss how to set boundaries that will help you maximize your generosity by making it sustainable. Find more at https://www.OptimalWork.com.