The OptimalWork Podcast

Exploring the positive approach to anxiety, embracing it for personal growth. Discussing the impact of diet on mental health and the development of an anxiety course. Emphasizing the importance of facing anxious feelings for resilience and growth. Introducing a transformative course to support individuals in overcoming anxiety and thriving in life.

Dive into the ideal of temperance, where cravings meet mindful awareness. Learn how to master your responses to desires rather than relying on sheer willpower. Discover techniques for rating cravings and navigating them with thoughtful distance. Understand how embracing temperance can enhance your relationships by promoting mindfulness and acceptance. Explore the heights of temperance and practical strategies for prioritizing meaningful goals over momentary impulses.

#203: Ideals lie at the core of our approach. Indeed, our mission is to help you challenge yourself according to your highest ideals in each hour of work and life. For this, it is necessary to have an image in your mind of what the various ideals look like when lived fully. In this episode, we paint a picture of humility. Find more at ⁠https://www.OptimalWork.com⁠.

#202: In his book “The Confident Mind,” Dr. Nate Zinsser, shares the approach he’s developed as the director of West Point’s Performance Psychology Program and consultant for numerous elite athletes. His insights, which center on the idea of confidence, can be transformative not only for preparing for combat and athletic competitions, but also for approach challenges in everyday life. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Majeres and Sharif discuss his work, compare it to OptimalWork’s approach, and identify one key idea that would enhance Dr. Zinsser’s analysis. Find more at ⁠https://www.OptimalWork.com⁠.

#201: When people face psychological challenges, they need to fully feel the difficult emotion in order to rise above it. Similarly, important bonds are greatly strengthened by fully feeling positive emotions — in order to second and intensify them. All people can benefit from the practice of mindfulness of the heart, a form of mindfulness that can be practiced all day long. Find more at ⁠https://www.OptimalWork.com⁠.

#200: Reframing lies at the heart of OptimalWork’s approach. In this episode, Dr Kevin Majeres and Sharif survey some precursors to reframing in the literature and practice of psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy, and what distinguishes reframing from these other approaches. Find more at ⁠https://www.OptimalWork.com⁠.

#199: 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. Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

#198: 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.

Dr. Majeres, a mental health expert, discusses the impact of complaining on our lives. She reveals that while venting can feel helpful, chronic complaining can weaken relationships and harm our well-being. The conversation explores the fine line between genuine feedback and unproductive discontent. Dr. Majeres emphasizes reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, promoting a more positive mindset. Listeners learn about the psychology behind complaints and the hidden dangers of negativity, encouraging them to foster constructive dialogue with others.

#196: In this episode, Sharif and Dr. Kevin Majeres discuss the concept of self-efficacy and its practical application in various examples. Self-efficacy is the brain's prediction of success right before engaging in a task. It affects motivation, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. The key is to shape self-efficacy by widening the context of success and identifying concrete steps to improve performance. The examples discussed include dealing with a critical boss, learning a difficult subject, and staying focused on repetitive tasks. All of these situations require reframing challenges, setting goals, and maintaining intensity. These examples should help you see more clearly how to apply these principles in your own case. They also highlight that OptimalWork’s core principles — reframing and forming strategies — are not rules or rote formulas, but require your own flexibility, ingenuity, and creativity. Find more at https://OptimalWork.com