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 3394: In this insightful piece, Cara Harvey shares simple, powerful strategies to calm the mind, reduce mental clutter, and lower stress by embracing intentional routines. Harvey’s steps encourage clear priorities, focused thinking, and practical tools for a more balanced and stress-free life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/declutter-your-mind-decrease-stress-in-3-easy-steps/ Quotes to ponder: "Clutter in your mind can be just as overwhelming as physical clutter." "Prioritizing and setting boundaries are essential to keep your mind focused on what truly matters." "When you clear out mental clutter, you make room for thoughts that inspire and empower you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Marras 20249min

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 3393: Engaging in regular physical exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost brain function, thanks to increased blood flow, neurogenesis, and the release of "feel-good" chemicals like endorphins. Dr. Jenny Brockis emphasizes that even just 20 minutes of daily activity can enhance memory, elevate mood, and sharpen cognitive abilities. Her practical advice makes fitting exercise into a daily routine easier and highlights how it directly nurtures brain health. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.drjennybrockis.com/2013/9/9/for-a-better-functioning-brain-get-moving/ Quotes to ponder: "Exercise releases higher amounts of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, essential for memory and neurogenesis." "Being in a positive mood is associated with higher performance setting you up to ensure the rest of your day goes well." "New habits require new neural circuitry to be created, and it is the repetition that embeds the habit." Episode references: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514 Simon Sinek's TED Talk on "Start with Why": https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Marras 20249min

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 3392: Steve Pavlina challenges the traditional approach to prioritizing tasks by introducing "posteriorities" the concept of deliberately choosing what not to do. By identifying low-value tasks to eliminate, he argues that we can sharpen focus on what truly matters, ultimately freeing time and energy for higher-impact actions that align with our long-term goals. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/setting-posteriorities/ Quotes to ponder: "Sometimes what you choose not to do is more important than what you choose to do." "Setting posteriorities means saying no to low-value tasks to create space for what truly matters." "When you eliminate distractions and low-impact actions, your priorities become naturally clearer." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Marras 20249min

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 3391: Bryan Shelton explores how applying behavioral science can accelerate skill development, showing how to set and achieve goals using structured, deliberate practice. Through steps like pinpointing specific behaviors and reinforcing improvements, he demonstrates how teams can both "go fast" and "go far" by building momentum together, making learning a more efficient and collaborative experience. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.aubreydaniels.com/blog/developing-skills-quickly-with-the-science-of-behavior Quotes to ponder: "Mountain biking is made up of several complex behavior chains. As a biker develops their skills in these areas, they have the ability to pick up and maintain speed." "Sessioning is a fancy word for deliberate practice building the skills necessary to complete our goal." "Maybe we need to ditch the proverb, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,' and replace it with something that recognizes that fast and far are achievable with deliberate practice." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Marras 20249min

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 3390: Mark Manson challenges readers to confront not just their desires, but the inevitable pain that comes with them. He argues that success isn't about wanting the reward; it's about accepting the sacrifices required. What you are willing to struggle for ultimately shapes your life and determines your success, so choose your struggles wisely. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://markmanson.net/question Quotes to ponder: "You’ve just got to want it enough! Everybody wants something. They just aren’t aware of what it is they want, or rather, what they want 'enough.'" "If you want the benefits of something in life, you have to also want the costs." "Our struggles determine our successes. So, my friend, choose your struggles wisely." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Marras 20249min

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 3389: Mark Manson challenges us to rethink what we truly want in life, urging us to consider not just the pleasures we seek but the struggles we're willing to endure to achieve them. True fulfillment, he argues, stems from our capacity to embrace pain and difficulty, as it shapes the quality of our lives and our success. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://markmanson.net/question Quotes to ponder: "Happiness requires struggle. The positive is the side effect of handling the negative." "What determines your success isn’t 'What do you want to enjoy?' The question is, 'What pain do you want to sustain?'" "What we get out of life is not determined by the good feelings we desire, but by what bad feelings we’re willing and able to sustain to get us to those good feelings." Episode references: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F: https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Marras 20248min

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 3388: Living in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, Kat Medina reflects on the importance of balancing ambition with fulfillment. After a life-changing event, she and her husband chose to follow their dream of living in nature, embracing the unknown in Lake Tahoe. Her story encourages us to pause, evaluate our priorities, and ask ourselves, "What are we waiting for?" Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.katmedina.com/article?id=whywait Quotes to ponder: "Achieving success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure." "The key to accomplishing the elusive combination of fulfillment and success is to strive to compete with the best version of yourself and to be grateful for the growth along the way." "If there is something you feel called to do in your heart, a dream so vivid it practically haunts you, I beg you to have an honest conversation with yourself and ask why not now?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Marras 20249min

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 3387: Amy Slenker-Smith shares her ongoing struggle with screen time and the steps she’s taken to regain control in a world dominated by digital devices. Through screen-free mornings, setting app limits, and creating night-time phone boundaries, she offers simple habits to reduce distractions and be more present. Her candid reflections remind us that small changes can make a big difference in our relationship with technology. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.simplyenough.net/screen-time/ Quotes to ponder: "I wake up early and start with my devotional and coffee. Then, I plan my day, write, or work on a large project. I don’t feel compelled to check my phone." "I am embarrassed by the statistics and how much time I waste. I’m a work in progress." "It’s so easy to get distracted and miss out on this world around us. Is a screen stealing your time?" Episode references: Uncluttered Program by Joshua Becker: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/uncluttered Courtney Carver’s 5-Day Digital Detox Challenge: https://bemorewithless.com/less-phone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Marras 20249min