089: Real-Life Role Playing: What Is Your Profession by Steve Kamb of Nerd Fitness

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 3596: Steve Pavlina challenges readers to shift their mindset from dependency on external authority to self-reliance, urging them to trust their intuition and life experience over conventional expert advice. He also introduces the concept of the “optimism ratio” as a personal barometer for growth, emphasizing how cultivating more optimistic thoughts can directly shape reality and accelerate personal development. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/06/trust-yourself-not-the-experts/ & https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/02/whats-your-optimism-ratio/ Quotes to ponder: "Your own reasoning ability is vastly more important than the consensus of expert opinion." "If you blindly follow the advice of experts, you’ll never learn to think for yourself." "When your optimism ratio is positive, it means you’re giving more energy to what you want than to what you don’t want." Episode references: Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Touko 10min

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 3595: Joshua Becker highlights one transformative habit that requires minimal effort yet delivers maximum impact: watching less television. By cutting back on screen time, we gain more hours for meaningful connection, creativity, and healthier routines, an intentional shift that leads to deeper satisfaction and personal growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/watch-less/ Quotes to ponder: "Life change can be hard - really hard." "Television is a self-propagating habit. It promotes its own self-interests by boldly declaring the Best New Show, Most Watched Network, Can’t Miss Episode, or Game of the Year." "Not only are the negative effects of TV detrimental to our lives, the opportunity cost is great." Episode references: Journal of Economic Psychology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-economic-psychology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Touko 11min

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 3594: Lori Deschene challenges the idea that experts always know best by reminding us that personal decisions often require self-trust, not outside validation. Through relatable stories and psychological insight, she highlights how relying too heavily on authority figures can obscure our inner wisdom and hinder authentic decision-making. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/there-is-no-expert-on-you/ Quotes to ponder: "Sometimes in looking for emotional back up, we give our power away, and oftentimes to people who know far less about what we need than we think." "The experts don’t have all the answers. Sometimes there aren’t any absolute answers." "We want there to be far more absolutes than there are, and we don’t want to have to carry the weight of our choices alone." Episode references: Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior: https://www.amazon.com/Sway-Irresistible-Pull-Irrational-Behavior/dp/0385524382 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Touko 10min

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 3593: Sam from Financial Samurai dismantles the myth that remodeling guarantees a return on investment, explaining that most renovations recoup only about 65% of their cost. He emphasizes that true profit comes from expansion, not remodeling, and encourages homeowners to remodel for personal enjoyment rather than profit, unless increasing livable square footage is the goal. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialsamurai.com/does-remodeling-pay-off-make-money/ Quotes to ponder: "Almost all property remodeling does not recoup the cost spent remodeling based on national averages." "Remodeling is a lifestyle choice with generally negative returns." "Increase the livable square footage of the home, and you increase the home’s selling price. It’s that simple." Episode references: 2023 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine: https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2023/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Touko 12min

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 3592: Michael Blankenship challenges the idea that joy should be reserved for leisure by showing how embracing fun, even during life’s messiest, most mundane moments, can transform your entire experience. By replacing judgment with curiosity and light-heartedness, you're not avoiding responsibility, you're reclaiming joy as your most powerful, practical tool for everyday living. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getyourgustoback.com/the-life-changing-power-of-having-fun-a-thought-experiment/ Quotes to ponder: “It’s hard to be fully present and have fun when a part of you is getting lost in a mental maze.” “You’re too busy thinking negative thoughts to enjoy the good, the bad, or the shit-stained!” “When fun flourishes, judgment dies.” Episode references: Tiny Buddha: https://tinybuddha.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Touko 9min

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 3591: Renee Benes emphasizes the powerful impact that negative people can have on our mental and physical well-being, comparing emotional toxicity to the clutter we often strive to remove from our homes. By recognizing the reasons we hold onto harmful relationships and setting clear, loving boundaries, we can reclaim peace, clarity, and emotional freedom in our daily lives. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com/how-to-downsize-your-life-from-negative-people/ Quotes to ponder: "You can’t save anyone." "Whenever you say 'no' to something, you are saying 'yes' to something else." "Saying 'no' to a relationship doesn’t mean you have to stop loving a person." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Touko 10min

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 3590: David Cain reminds us that life is never truly stuck; every moment offers a chance to begin anew, no matter how entrenched we feel in our routines or past mistakes. His perspective empowers listeners to let go of old narratives and embrace the infinite fresh starts available at any moment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.raptitude.com/2015/10/your-life-is-always-just-beginning/ Quotes to ponder: "Your life is not on a path, and you can always start fresh." "The past is only alive in your mind right now, and nowhere else." "Today is the beginning of your life, and so is tomorrow." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Touko 10min

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 3589: Kyle Kowalski challenges the traditional approach of cramming more into each day and instead advocates for "better is better" through calendar time blocking. By intentionally scheduling tasks and aligning them with personal priorities and energy levels, time blocking boosts efficiency, reduces mental clutter, and fosters meaningful progress. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.sloww.co/time-blocking/ Quotes to ponder: "What gets scheduled gets done." "Time blocking is one of the best ways of turning good intentions into action." "What's important now? After a moment of reflection I realized that until I knew what was important right now, what was important right now was to figure out what was important right now!" Episode references: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382 Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path by Erin Loechner: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Slow-Courage-Journey-Beaten/dp/0310345677 When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/When-Scientific-Secrets-Perfect-Timing/dp/0735210624 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Touko 9min