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    Podcast Summary

    • Exploring Opportunities for Daily Rewards and Personal GrowthApple Card offers daily cash rewards, Express Employment Professionals helps find jobs, Airbnb hosting earns income, Major Yeager's story highlights balance between action and reflection

      Apple Card offers daily cash rewards up to 3% on purchases, while Express Employment Professionals can help individuals find jobs in any industry. During a recent trip, the importance of considering the potential earning potential of one's own home through Airbnb hosting was highlighted. Major Charles E. Yeager, an American hero, serves as a reminder of the value of action, even when faced with uncertainty and danger. However, a cautionary tale from Yeager's life reveals the importance of knowing when to pause and reflect, as he nearly paid the ultimate price for his eagerness to break the sound barrier. These stories underscore the importance of balance between action and inaction, and making the most of opportunities while also considering the potential risks.

    • The power of doing nothingIn difficult situations, allowing things to unfold naturally can lead to new possibilities and better outcomes.

      Sometimes, the best thing we can do in the face of a difficult situation is to take a step back and do nothing. As the story of Chuck Yeager's harrowing experience with the X1A experimental plane demonstrates, trying to force control in a situation where it's not possible can lead to disastrous results. Instead, Yeager's survival came from letting go and riding out the storm. This concept, known as "masterly inactivity," can be applied to various aspects of life, from parenting and medicine to sports and beyond. By pausing and allowing things to unfold naturally, we may discover new possibilities and ultimately perform better and feel happier.

    • The pressure to act can lead to unnecessary tests and treatmentsUnderstanding when to do nothing is crucial for informed decisions and overall well-being, but it's challenging to establish a solid evidence base for inaction.

      There's a psychological pressure to take action, even when inaction might be the better choice. This was illustrated in a study about penalty kicks in soccer, where goalkeepers feel compelled to dive left or right instead of staying still, even though they might have a better chance of saving the kick if they didn't move. This concept applies to various aspects of life, including healthcare. Doctors often prescribe unnecessary tests and treatments due to fear of being sued or patients' demands, even when doing nothing (active surveillance) could be more beneficial. However, knowing when to do nothing requires a solid evidence base, which can be challenging to establish. The human tendency to want to take action, even when it's not necessary, can lead to unnecessary stress, costs, and potential harm. On the other hand, sometimes, the best decision is to actively remove something, but this is even harder for our minds to accept. Understanding the importance of doing nothing and when to apply it is crucial for making informed decisions and promoting overall well-being.

    • Exploring different ways to earn extra incomeExplore Apple Card cash back, Airbnb hosting, and job opportunities through Express Employment to boost income and gain new experiences

      There are various ways to earn extra income and make the most of your assets. With the Apple Card, you can earn daily cash back on purchases, up to 3% with Apple products and services, 2% with Apple Pay, and 1% with other purchases. If you have a home that you're not always at, consider becoming an Airbnb host to earn additional income. Additionally, Express Employment Professionals can help you find job opportunities without any fees. A second historic tale highlights the power of taking things away to learn a valuable skill, such as learning to balance on a bike without training wheels. These examples demonstrate the importance of exploring different opportunities and utilizing available resources to improve your financial situation and gain new experiences.

    • The Power of Subtraction: A Simple InnovationSimplifying complex tasks or objects can lead to great innovation and learning, but our natural tendency is to add rather than subtract, hindering us from finding the most effective solutions.

      Simplicity and subtraction can lead to great innovation and learning, as demonstrated by Ryan's creation of the Strider balance bike. By removing pedals, he made bike riding accessible to toddlers, allowing them to learn essential skills for riding a real bike. However, as Professor Lydie Klotz's research shows, taking something away is much harder for our minds than adding. People naturally tend to add more blocks or ingredients, even when it's more efficient to subtract. This phenomenon, known as the "add-motion," can hinder our ability to find the most effective solutions. The story of Ryan's balance bike and the research on subtraction serve as reminders that sometimes, less is more, and simplicity can lead to significant progress.

    • Bias against subtractionPeople struggle to remove experiences or possessions, leading to negative impacts on happiness. Understanding the power of subtraction and making intentional choices can improve overall well-being.

      People have a deep-rooted bias against subtraction, even when it's obvious that removing things would improve their experiences. This was illustrated in an experiment where people were given an insane itinerary for a day in Washington DC and were asked to make it better. Instead of removing stops, people tried to make things more efficient or logical, but they didn't remove anything. This bias towards accumulation, whether it's experiences or material possessions, can negatively impact our happiness. As the speaker mentioned, even in their own homes, people struggle to subtract enough stuff. Marie Kondo's book, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying," is not about tidying as much as it is about minimalism and subtraction. Economics offers a fundamental insight that everything has an opportunity cost, meaning that every decision we make comes at the cost of something else. Therefore, it's essential to understand the power of subtraction and the importance of making intentional choices to improve our overall well-being.

    • Find balance and prioritize what matters mostRecognize the importance of balance, subtracting unnecessary activities, and prioritizing what truly matters to reduce anxiety and increase enjoyment. Consider becoming an Airbnb host for extra income and consider using a dedicated job placement expert for job search assistance.

      Sometimes, it's necessary to subtract good things from our lives to make space for even better experiences. This concept applies to both adults and children, as overscheduling and overloading ourselves with activities can lead to increased anxiety and a lack of enjoyment. It's essential to recognize the importance of balance and prioritizing what truly matters most. Additionally, considering becoming an Airbnb host can be a great way to earn extra income and make the most of your home when you're not using it. Lastly, having a dedicated job placement expert, like Express Employment Professionals, can significantly help in your job search process, free of charge.

    • Embracing limitations can lead to surprising breakthroughsLimits can force us to simplify and discover new, effective solutions. In music, career, or personal growth, embracing limitations can lead to surprising breakthroughs.

      Sometimes, limitations can lead to unexpected discoveries and even greater success. As expressed in the story of Keith Jarrett and his unplayable piano, when all other options are taken away, we may be forced to simplify and discover new, effective solutions. In the realm of job searching, Express Employment Professionals offers a wide range of opportunities and can make the process easier with just one application. Meanwhile, taking a trip to San Diego can provide physical and mental rejuvenation. However, sometimes it takes hitting a roadblock or being forced into a corner to discover new, simpler approaches to problems. This concept, as mentioned in Leidy Klotz's book, can be a valuable strategy for overcoming challenges. Whether in music, career, or personal growth, embracing limitations can lead to surprising breakthroughs.

    • Thinking about taking something away can simplify complex problemsConsidering the 'what if I had to take something away?' question can lead to clearer solutions and better decision making. Be mindful of the yes-damn effect to avoid unnecessary obligations.

      Asking the question "what if I had to take something away?" can help simplify complex problems and prioritize tasks effectively. This thought exercise, inspired by the idea of having to remove something when resources are limited, can lead to more obvious solutions and help us make difficult decisions. It's a simple yet powerful tool to manage our schedules, projects, and even regulations. Additionally, being mindful of the yes-damn effect, where we say yes to commitments we later regret, can help us avoid unnecessary obligations and make more intentional choices. Overall, these strategies can help us make the most of our time and resources.

    • The power of saying no for greater happiness and productivitySaying no can lead to happiness, productivity, and self-pride. Record declined commitments to remind yourself of their value.

      Saying no can lead to greater happiness and productivity if we acknowledge and appreciate the benefits of our choices. This concept is known as the "no yay effect," where we experience the positive consequences of saying no after the fact. By recording our declined commitments in our calendars or involving our accountability partners, we can remind ourselves of the value of our decisions and the time and energy we're saving. This practice can lead to increased self-pride, happiness, and even marital satisfaction. Overall, embracing subtraction and bringing awareness to our decisions can make us happier in the long run.

    • Investing in Physical and Mental Wellness for HappinessSan Diego's sunny weather, beautiful scenery, and welcoming community contribute to overall happiness. Canva Presentations' AI-powered tool enhances work presentations, while BetterHelp's online therapy platform offers accessible mental health support.

      Investing in both physical and mental wellness contributes significantly to overall happiness. San Diego, with its sunny weather, beautiful scenery, and welcoming community, offers an ideal environment to recharge and find joy. Meanwhile, Canva Presentations' AI-powered tool can help enhance work presentations, keeping you focused and productive. Lastly, BetterHelp's online therapy platform provides accessible mental health support, ensuring everyone can manage their mental health challenges effectively. Remember, happiness comes from a balanced approach to health and wellbeing, and the right tools and resources can make all the difference. To explore San Diego's offerings, visit sandiego.org. For captivating presentations, try Canva Presentations at canva.com. And for mental health support, connect with BetterHelp at betterhelp.com.

    Recent Episodes from The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

    The Power of Awe... and Where to Find it

    The Power of Awe... and Where to Find it

    Awe reduces stress, helps us forget our minor worries and makes us feel more connected to the people around us. We all need more awe in our lives - but surely it's not that easy to find awesome experiences on your average Tuesday?

    Actor Tony Hale explains how everyday awe helps ease his anxieties, while UC Berkeley's Dacher Keltner shows us how to find awe in music, art, scenery... even in a walk around our block. And Dr Laurie explores the things that give her a sense of awe with the help of Mike Menzel - who built a space telescope that lets us see billions of years into the past.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Tame Stress

    How to Tame Stress

    Dr Laurie is stressed, and it's harming her health. Constant worry and stress is bad for our bodies and our minds, but how can we break the cycle and relax? It turns out scientists have learned a lot from one of America's most stressed-out communities - caregivers.  

    Hollywood star Steve Guttenberg talks about the toughest chapter of his life - caring for his dying dad - and Dr Elissa Epel explains why some caregivers suffer badly from stress, while others seem to find ways to live with the awful situation they find themselves in daily.  

    Further reading:

    Steve Guttenberg - Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.

    Dr Elissa Epel - The Stress Prescription: Seven Days to More Joy and Ease

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How I Stopped Fearing Boredom

    How I Stopped Fearing Boredom

    Dr Laurie HATES boredom! Since childhood she's found it so painful that she'll do anything to avoid being bored. She'll watch crappy TV. She'll find extra work to do. She'll snack. But boredom is actually an incredibly useful tool to boost our happiness and creativity.  

    With the help of leading boredom experts, Dr Laurie learns how to embrace doing nothing and finds that in the midst of tedium our brains can come up with the most amazing breakthrough ideas. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Fight Perfectionism

    How to Fight Perfectionism

    Holding yourself to impossibly high standards is self-defeating and makes for a miserable life. Can Dr Laurie Santos find ways to tackle her constant perfectionism so she can perform better and have more fun? 

    She hears from researcher Thomas Curran about a worrying growth in perfectionism in society, and asks "recovering perfectionist" Jordana Confino how to tackle the nagging voice in your head telling you to always push yourself and work harder.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    My Personal Struggle to be Happy (Coming June 3)

    My Personal Struggle to be Happy (Coming June 3)

    Sometimes the happiness teacher flunks her own class. In a deeply personal new season, Dr Laurie Santos opens up about the things she really, really struggles with. Things like crippling perfectionism, chronic stress and a paralyzing fear of death. 

    With the help of world-class experts, a Hollywood star and a host of normal people who grapple with the same issues, Dr Laurie will face up to her own happiness demons and try to defeat them. 

    Coming June 3, wherever you get your podcasts. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Happiness Through Generosity : Liz Dunn on The TED Interview

    Happiness Through Generosity : Liz Dunn on The TED Interview

    Liz Dunn is a regular guest on The Happiness Lab, but in this extended interview with TED's Chris Anderson she take us on a deep dive into her research. It shows that by increasing our generosity and by giving to others we can significantly boost our own happiness. 

    Listen to more episodes of The TED Interview wherever you get your podcasts.  

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Unlock Your Hidden Potential with Adam Grant and Maya Shankar

    Unlock Your Hidden Potential with Adam Grant and Maya Shankar

    A chance to hear a recent episode of A Slight Change of Plans in which Maya Shankar asks psychologist Adam Grant about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things". They talk about how to filter out unhelpful feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and why we need to give soft skills more respect. 

    Listen to more episodes of A Slight Change of Plans  wherever you get your podcasts. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Five Tips to be Happier at Work (Dr Laurie at SXSW)

    Work is a worry. Are we paid enough? Should we be getting promoted quicker? Is artificial intelligence about to replace us all? 

    Speaking at SXSW 2024, Dr Laurie Santos argues that because of all our career woes we often neglect our happiness. She walks through her top five tips for improving our workplace wellbeing - which will not only make us feel better, but might even cause our salaries to rise!  

    Suggested reading from this episode:

    Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN by Tara Brach

    Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

    Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

    The Truth About Burnout: How Organizations Cause Personal Stress and What to Do About It by Christina Maslach

    The Business of Friendship by Shasta Nelson

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Tame Those Devices: 10 Tips to Achieve Digital Balance

    Technology is amazing! We can make video calls, find facts in an instant and watch movies on our phones. We take all this for granted, but have we let our screens and devices take over too much of our lives? 

    To mark Digital Wellness Day on May 3, we hear from Amy Blankson (author and "chief evangelist" at the Digital Wellness Institute) about her ten tips to tame our devices at home and in the workplace. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How to Grow After Adversity

    How to Grow After Adversity

    Karen Guggenheim was devastated by the death of her husband, Ricardo. She was alive, but dead to the world around her. Slowly she put her life back together and found growing happiness. To share her insights with others in need, Karen started the World Happiness Summit

    Karen's campaign to spread global happiness is just one example of "post traumatic growth". Clinical psychologist Dr Edith Shiro (author of The Unexpected Gift of Trauma) has worked with many people who have recovered from trauma and grown as a result. She explains how we can give ourselves the best possible chance to experience post traumatic growth.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Related Episodes

    Ep. 43 7 Things to Simplify in Your Business to Become More Successful

    Ep. 43 7 Things to Simplify in Your Business to Become More Successful

    The most common feeling women feel before they sign up for coaching with Samantha is overwhelm. The answer to overwhelm: simplicity. In this episode, Samantha shares 7 things to simplify in your business to become more successful from your offer, your message, to your time. 

    Highlights: 

    • You don’t have to master everything to be successful
    • Multiple businesses and offers can be confusing
    • Say “No” to multitasking
    • STOP the freebie madness

    Things Mentioned to Check Out: 

    Let’s Connect!

    • Are you ready to grow your impact…and your income? I created the Impactful Coach Mastermind to offer a space to nurture and mentor the next generation of leaders in the coaching industry, in all niches. Enrollment is now open! Click here to learn more and book your consult.
    • See how to work with me HERE

    PJ and Alex Love to Gripe

    PJ and Alex Love to Gripe

    Reply All hosts PJ and Alex love to trade gripes. Their complaints about the minor annoyances of modern life make for great audio, but are the podcasters making a classic mistake?

    We all like to complain - thinking that venting does us good - but Dr Laurie Santos explains to PJ and Alex that they should gripe less if they want to be happier, and sets them a task to say something nice.

    For an even deeper dive into the research we talk about in the show visit happinesslab.fm

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.