The OptimalWork Podcast

Explore cognitive dissonance and self-justification, how it affects personal growth, and a clever way to use it for deeper connections. Learn about the impact of self-justification on beliefs and judgments, confirmation bias in therapy, and the role of pride and humility in self-justification.

Exploring the ineffectiveness of venting negative emotions and the concept of catharsis. Providing guidance on handling painful emotions and how to deal with others who are venting. Venting does not lead to positive outcomes and can worsen mood and increase aggression.

#163: In their 2019 book “The Power of Agency,” Paul Napper and Anthony Rao lay out their theory of growth and happiness, which centers on the concept of “agency.” In this episode, we compare their seven principles with OptimalWork’s approach, and show how ideals are essential to true agency. Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

Discover the costs and consequences of procrastination, explore different approaches to overcome it, and learn how embracing negative emotions can reduce procrastination. Find out how to conquer procrastination by leaning into challenges and turning them into opportunities for growth.

The podcast discusses the idea that intrinsic motivation is corrupted by rewards and praise, but actually develops over time. It explores the role of positive reinforcement in generating intrinsic motivation, the impact of praise and rewards on shaping children, the difference between judgment and constructive criticism, evaluation of Alfie Cohen's theory and Skinner's principles, and perspectives on the development of individuals and the role of parents.

In this episode, the podcast explores Alfie Kohn's book 'Punished by Rewards' and its critique of incentivizing behavior. The negative impact of grades on students' motivation and the importance of intrinsic motivation are discussed. The use of rewards to reinforce habits and behaviors is explored, along with the transformational power of conversations and the role of self-determination.

#159: At OptimalWork, 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.

This podcast discusses the key skill needed for good conversations, emphasizing the importance of being present and engaged. It explores the power of silence and the significance of pausing, along with the art of asking good questions and actively listening. The podcast also highlights the power of sincere communication and sharing personal experiences. It concludes by discussing the significance of pauses in conversations and introduces OptimalWork.com for personal growth resources.

#157: Do you have any anxiety that you feel might be holding you back? In fact, anxiety is like a forge that you can use to shape yourself according to your highest ideals. In this episode, we show you how to find the challenge at the root of your anxiety and engage it as a unique opportunity. Find more at ⁠https://www.OptimalWork.com⁠.

#156: Do you ever find that you don’t have enough time to accomplish all the things you’d like to? Small blocks of time may seem inconsequential, but they add up. Making wise use of these blocks can increase your productivity by 20% — the difference between getting ahead and falling behind. How to do it? That’s the topic of today’s rebroadcast. Find more at https://OptimalWork.com