Have you ever been in a scenario where you felt your idea wasn't perfect enough to be shared? Felt a heavy weight on your chest when the outcome of your efforts couldn't match up to your expectations? Let us help you unravel the paradox of perfection in this soul-stirring conversation. We kick off the episode with raw and personal anecdotes about our struggles with the idea of perfection and the expectations that tag along with it.

Master the art of balancing the exploration of self-expression through creativity and the primal human instinct to fit in. We'll guide you through the process of understanding the crucial role of creativity in our lives and its relationship with perfection. We also delve into the conversation of how our ego can sometimes stifle creativity and how to navigate this. Don't miss out as we shed light on the importance of transcending our egos to ensure creativity becomes a liberating experience, rather than a pressure cooker.

Finally, we embark on a profound exploration of life's purpose, the role of our ego in achieving it, and creativity's ability to help us transcend beyond our physical existence. This episode is not just about introspective discussions; it also focuses on the benefits of community connection. Being part of something bigger than oneself can help manage anxiety and depression. Tune in and let us help you navigate the balance between your ego and your community, allowing you to present the best version of yourself.

Join us as we discuss our favorite strategies and philosophies around anxiety and depression.

Can you be addicted to anxiety?

We use Judson Brewer's book Unwinding Anxiety and Johann Hari's book Lost Connections as a guide to navigating depression, anxiety, and more. Here are the seven of the root causes and solutions discussed in the episode:

Disconnection from:

1. Meaningful work
2. Other people
3. Meaningful values
4. Childhood trauma
5. Status and respect
6. Disconnection from the natural world
7. Hopeful or secure future

In this episode, Tony and Brian interview Lexi and Nico about their experience thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. They discuss how their dream became a reality as well as:

How to Pursue a Passion

Learning from Obstacles and setbacks

How to persevere in situations where most people quit

How to find balance in times of stress

How to find a community even when you’re in the middle of the woods

The importance of finding others who will push you to reach your goals

How long does it take to hike the entire Appalachian Trail?

Are there any dangerous animals on the Appalachian Trail?

How to deal with sleeping on the ground for long periods of time

In this episode, Tony and Brian discuss:
Is free will an illusion?
How one small change in your mindset can reduce Anxiety and Worry
Why new decision making strategies can have a major impact on your life
The superpower of letting go
Are negative experiences the most important?
The impact of indecision and how to move past it
Why biases are limiting you
How to stop spending time on things you don't care about
What to do if I regret my career choice?

Timestamps

(1:05) Do we have free will?

(4:31) Neuroplasticity and our brains are like a computer. There is hardware - our genetics, and software - the experiences we load onto it.

(7:14) Can you get over anxiety?

(9:00) Do you use worry as a tool?

(10:20) How to identify what decisions are worth paying attention to

(12:42) The story of the farmer taking life in stride

(14:47) What is the right decision?

(17:10) How do I make big decisions feel more manageable?

(18:27) How do I know my decisions are good ones?

(20:23) Are some decisions more important than others?

(22:50) How do I manage opportunities and the number of decisions I have to make?

(27:11) How do biases impact my decisions?

Show notes ep 7 decisions

We didn’t pick our parents, we didn’t pick our life experiences, so there’s an element of chance in all aspects of your life. There is a lot of biases and beliefs that come preloaded on us because of nature and nurture.

Our brains are like computers. We have hardware that makes us who we are. Our tendencies to act and feel certain ways. Then we have the software, which is our learned experiences. Software is all of the parts of our lives that shape how the hardware operates.

Neuroplasticity is like walking in a forest. Just like when we walk through a forest and have to make new paths, our brains do the same with learning. The more we walk down certain paths the more defined they become.

Changing our thought process from “I have anxiety” to “there is anxiety present” makes the feeling something impermanent. It allows us to move past that feeling of anxiousness instead of believing it’s a part of everything we do.

If you’re not careful you might be using worry as a tool. Worry allows us to feel a false sense of control over one’s future. Think about it like trying to worry about all the outcomes that could potentially happen, so you won’t be surprised.

You can use simple strategies to help you identify what you want to be putting your attention on. Exercises that help us identify what we can and can’t control can be very helpful. Click here for the worksheet that can help you with that.

We tend to see things in the moment as “good” and “bad”. But when we look back on our experiences it’s often the case that a “good” experience didn’t turn out like we hoped and sometimes our “bad” experiences are the most important instructors.

Every choice comes with an opportunity cost. When we make a choice in the moment it comes with pros and cons. We’re going to gain and lose from every decision but it’s important to make a decision and live with the consequences.

When you begin down a new path, try to begin with small steps. It’s much easier to climb a 100-foot ladder when the steps are one foot apart than it is to climb a 100-foot ladder when the steps are 10 feet apart.

“The Secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” - Mark Twain

A lot of life is being open to new experiences. If you’re someone who believes that the world is black and white, you will miss out

How to take all the king's rice

Why 80% of your effort is probably a complete waste

How the one percent rule can make you into a productivity machine

How pillows, grease, and brakes took a sports team from worst to first

How to know if you are too spread out or focused

Why consistency is underrated

Find free worksheets, blog posts, and insightful book recommendations at EgoLab.us

(0:00) Intro

(1:05) The magic of the compounding principle

(3:05) How the 1% rule can make you 37x better in just one year

(4:35) How the British Cycling Team went from laughing stock to dominant winners

(8:25) Why Success leads to more Success

(9:19) The power of anchoring habits

(9:50) The vital role that consistency plays in growth

(12:39) Using the snowball effect to achieve your goals

(15:40) Leveraging the Pareto Principle for monstrous growth

(17:00) Understanding biases to improve your life

(17:57) The sunk cost fallacy and relationships

(19:50) The greatest predictors of successful relationships

(20:33) The brilliance of Warren Buffet

(22:31) How to create better outcomes in a shorter time

How To Live Like A Millionaire - And How To Do It Without Money

How much money do you need to be happy?

Why comparison is in our genetics

Why we care so much about money

Why lottery winners wind up miserable

Live your dream life for way less than you suspect

What the science says about happiness and money


Episode Summary:
Why does society view money as the ultimate status symbol, and how does this perception affect our overall happiness? This episode tackles these provocative questions and more as we dissect the complex relationship between wealth, happiness, and self-worth. We dig into the societal push for financial abundance and the consequent pressure to climb the socioeconomic ladder. But, are we losing sight of what truly matters in this race for riches?

We also deep dive into the concept of 'enough' - a state of contentment that stems from gratitude, not from amassing wealth. It's not about the money itself, but the options that money can provide. What if the pursuit of happiness is not about acquiring more, but about appreciating what we already have? We examine how our inherent qualities – positive or negative – can be amplified by wealth and the influence of our surroundings on our life choices and values.

In the quest for success, we may risk it all only to find ourselves in a destructive downward spiral. So, how do we redefine success and wealth? It's time to question conventional definitions and focus on discovering our true values. We wrap up the episode with a thought-provoking discussion on the influence our surroundings exert in shaping our lives and the role of wealth in this process. So, let's break free from societal norms and embark on a journey toward financial enlightenment and genuine happiness.

Timestamps
0:41 Why do people care so much about money?

5:49 Want to be wealthy? Ask yourself, “Why do you want it in the first place?”

8:16 What you really need to be happy in your life

10:27 How comparison robs you of your happiness

13:43 How one bad idea can change your life forever

16:45 Why lottery winners are miserable and what would you do if you had a million dollars?

19:20 The Billionaire party and having enough

21:32 The difference between money and wealth

26:27 How to live like a millionaire without a million dollars

30:10 Are people with more money actually happier? What the science says

33:26 How to think more creatively about making enough money

36:12 What will make you feel like a millionaire?

In this episode, Anthony and Brian discuss how hope is one of the fundamental emotions giving us purpose in life, how to cultivate hope through positivity, Brian’s experience with hope and cancer, tools to build positivity and hope, and how to live a long and fulfilling life, and many other gems throughout the episode.

Show Notes:
https://www.egolab.us/podcast/show-notes-e4-what-makes-us-human-use-hope-to-build-a-fulfilling-life

Episode Summary:
We all grapple with life's complexities, yearning for a beacon of hope to guide us. Ever wondered how harnessing hope and optimism can power our dreams, infuse joy and empower us to conquer life's daunting challenges? We're taking you on a deep-dive into this extraordinary force, with profound insights drawn from Victor Frankel’s 'Man’s Search for Meaning' and an exploration of the potent placebo effect of optimism and hope.

Our journey takes us through the critical role of community and support systems in nurturing hope, the stark contrast between solitude and loneliness, and the power of self-compassion, self-love, and gratitude in framing a new perspective on hope. You'll get a peek into the intriguing concept of a 'happiness thermostat' as proposed by Jonathan Haight, and an examination of the lifestyle choices contributing to the impressive longevity of the Okinawan culture.

This episode is not just an exploration of hope, but also a testament to its power - as seen in Brian's personal battle with cancer. Learn how Brian embraced positivity to ride through this challenging phase and gain insights from his experience on nurturing hope and living a long, meaningful life. We've got handpicked book recommendations, guided worksheets, and reflective questions to bolster your journey of embracing hope and optimism. So come aboard, and let's illuminate our paths together, with hope as our guiding light.

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

(0:42) Hope and Finding Your Why

(3:43) The Placebo Effect and Hope

(6:30) Hope and Communities, Fighting Cancer, Finding The Will to Live, Friendship, and Impermanence

(16:33) How to Use Positivity to Cultivate Hope

(20:48) Creating a community of Hope within yourself

(25:02) Tools for developing Hope, Gratitude, and Optimism

(27:30) Is Being Optimistic an Inherent Trait or Can We Develop it?

(31:37) Ikigai and Hope - Do Optimistic People Live Longer?

(34:13) What If I don’t Want To Be Hopeful?

In this episode, Anthony and Brian discuss letting go of the stigma associated with failure, why it’s important to separate failures from your identity, and how to create a personal society with the people who share your values. Learn how to find silver linings in every challenge and the benefits of having an accountability buddy!

Timestamps
(00:35) - Breaking the stigma associated with failure

(2:25) - How society plays a role in what we consider failure

(4:38) - Why failing doesn’t make you a failure

(5:58) - Is it ok to feel “bad”?

(9:29) - Are we hard-wired to seek success?

(11:28) - Who controls your society?

(13:55) - Using accountability to find success

(17:50) - Why failing in public is different than failing in private

(20:50) - Two powerful tools for overcoming failure