Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3890:

Nir Eyal challenges the popular belief that willpower is a limited resource and reveals how this mindset can sabotage our ability to stay disciplined. Backed by research from Carol Dweck and Michael Inzlicht, the article reframes willpower as an emotion that fluctuates and can be managed, not something we "run out" of. Shifting this perspective can help us build resilience, make better decisions, and stop using "lack of willpower" as an excuse to quit.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/about-willpower/

Quotes to ponder:

"Believing we do [run out of willpower] makes us less likely to accomplish our goals, by providing a rationale to quit when we could otherwise persist."

"Ego-depletion is essentially caused by self-defeating thoughts and not by any biological limitation."

"Rather than telling ourselves we failed because we're somehow deficient, we should offer self-compassion by speaking to ourselves with kindness when we experience setbacks."

Episode references:

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: https://www.jsad.com

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: https://www.pnas.org
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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3889:

Bonnie Brunet explores the emotional toll and illusion of connection fostered by Facebook, tracing her own 14-year journey from obsession to liberation. Her reflections challenge us to question the role of social media in our relationships and ask what we lose when we substitute meaningful communication for curated glimpses into each other's lives.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nosidebar.com/how-social-is-social-media/

Quotes to ponder:

"It’s crazy in retrospect to think about the impact that just photos and the little sentences that we choose to share about our lives can have on others."

"In the 90s, we wouldn’t have known very much about our colleagues holidays, vacations, or important moments in general."

"My journey without Facebook has just begun but I’m already a happier and simpler person than I remember."
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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3888:

Angel Chernoff shares nine powerful strategies for cultivating a more optimistic mindset, emphasizing that optimism is a choice, not a fixed trait. From shifting your focus to what you can control, to surrounding yourself with positivity and living in the present, each practice is designed to help you build emotional resilience, reduce stress, and live more fully with hope and purpose.

Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/30/9-ways-to-become-an-optimist/

Quotes to ponder:

"Optimism does not mean ignoring the problem entirely, it means understanding that setbacks are inevitable, often temporary, and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face."

"LOVE: It’s the greatest force in the universe. It’s a treasure that people would give anything for, yet it costs nothing to give and receive."

"Every minute spent worrying guarantees nothing but less time to enjoy what life has to offer."

Episode references:

Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Awareness-Perils-Opportunities-Reality-Anthony/dp/0385249373

The Happiness Project: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Aristotle-Generally-Reminded/dp/006158326X

Full Catastrophe Living: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932
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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3887:

Shirley challenges the common guilt tied to ambition, reminding us that wanting more from life doesn't make us ungrateful, it makes us honest. By identifying guilt-based decisions and learning to appreciate without settling, she offers a compassionate roadmap to align your life with your deeper desires.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://daringliving.com/how-to-stop-feeling-guilty-for-wanting-more/

Quotes to ponder:

"You might think it’s more responsible to feel guilty about wanting more in your life, but it’s not."

"Be honest with yourself. Own the fact that you actually want something different than what you have right now."

"This life is yours. And if you’re not satisfied with it, you get to make that decision to change it and take actions from it."
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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3886:

Cylon George challenges us to face the inevitability of death not to provoke fear, but to inspire urgency and purpose. By confronting our mortality, we’re reminded to stop wasting time on distractions and instead invest deeply in meaningful relationships and what truly matters.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.spirituallivingforbusypeople.com/death

Quotes to ponder:

“That’s the thing about life. It is fragile, precious, unpredictable, and each day is a gift, not a given right.”

“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

“Contemplate your death daily and you will learn to stop wasting your time so you can focus on what’s truly important.”

Episode references:

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca: https://www.amazon.com/Shortness-Life-Penguin-Great-Ideas/dp/014101881X

The Tail End by Tim Urban: https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html

Death Clock: https://www.death-clock.org/
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