How to Teach a Growth Mindset to Children (and to yourself)

Ever notice how you'll curse for days when stuck in traffic but never celebrate hitting all green lights? Your brain's flaw-detection software is working overtime. In our quest for the ideal—the perfect relationship, the flawless investment, the dream career—we often miss the opportunity to appreciate what's already working. This isn't about lowering standards; it's about recognizing diminishing returns and the opportunity costs of perfectionism. Gratitude research shows that people who accept small imperfections actually experience more satisfaction and happiness. It's not about settling—it's about optimizing for what truly matters and recognizing the diminishing returns of chasing perfection. Identify what's truly non-negotiable versus what's just a small cost of admission See where you get stuck in diminishing returns of perfectionism and break out of the cycle Reframe "tolerating flaws" as "accepting the whole, complex reality" of what you value Ready to stop obsessing over small flaws and start enjoying the ride? Your ticket to a more satisfying life is waiting. Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Related Episodes How to stop catastrophising Psychology of Control - Why your brain overcomplicated everything How to build emotional intelligence Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com 🗣️ Feedback Form - Creating certainty in an uncertain world - https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: How to stop worrying about small problems that don't matter (and kill your perfectionist) Chapters: 00:00 Hardwired for problem seeking 00:55 Concept of paying the price of admission 01:23 Relationships 04:43 Stock markets 06:02 More examples 08:42 Gratitude and Game Theory 10:41 Perfectionism and diminishing returns 12:55 Martha Nussbaum and the Descent of Love 13:58 Positive and negative flywheels of gratitude and perfectionism 15:48 Chang Chang and the Broken Vase Garden 17:17 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Apr 21min

The psychology of mental strength and how to achieve your goals. The path to extraordinary achievement isn't paved with enjoyment. It's built on something far more powerful: alignment with our deepest values. Sustainable motivation comes not from the pleasure of the journey but from how we connect our actions to what matters most to us. This isn't about willpower or discipline—it's about meaning-making. When we frame our challenges within the context of our personal values, we transform mundane or difficult tasks into meaningful steps toward who we wish to become. The student studying for exams, the entrepreneur facing rejection, the artist pushing through creative blocks—all can tap into this deeper well of motivation by connecting present struggles to future purpose. Topics: The real source of mental strength 4 exercises to build the right type of motivation How to live closer to your values What if your next challenge became not a test of endurance but an expression of who you are becoming? Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Related Episodes 3 habits of mental strength Psychology of Fear How to build emotional intelligence Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation Chapters: 00:00 Hiking through the coastal path of UK 01:58 Building a stronger mindset and unstoppable motivation 02:37 Nuances of human motivation 04:43 Extrinsic motivation examples 07:20 What drives people to continue 08:20 4 types of motivation 13:36 Identifying personal values 14:04 Eulogy method 15:30 Odyssey plan 16:49 Radical Path 17:53 Wheel of life 19:59 Aligning your actions with your values 24:33 Celebrate small wins 25:48 Seek feedback and reflect on it 27:03 Send off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Apr 32min

What if the key to unlocking your potential was already within you, nestled within the folds of your own mind? Today we're diving into the science and psychology of hypnosis. It isn't about stage tricks or loss of control. It's about accessing a state of focused attention where the critical mind steps aside, allowing for profound change. Not only do we learn about how the subconscious mind can be accessed but the techniques and ways that work, backed by science. It's the difference between forcing yourself to diet and naturally craving healthier foods. Between lying awake, anxious, and drifting effortlessly into restorative sleep. It's not about what you do, but how you perceive. In this state, pain can become bearable, fears can dissolve, and long-held patterns can shift. Understanding hypnosis is a reminder that our experience of reality is malleable, shaped by the lens through which we view it. What is going on in the brain during hypnosis Explore self-hypnosis as a tool for personal growth Reframe challenges using hypnotic visualization Ads - Hypnozio A revolutionary self-hypnosis app. Hypnozio.com - Code GROWTH15 Related Episodes Loud Thoughts: Anxierty, Depression, ADHD & the Default Mode Network Psychology of Fear How to stop catastophising Fun videos: Kenny Craig's hypnosis dinner date Ellen Degeneres being hypnotised to stop smoking Tim Ferris interviewing Dr David Spiegel about hypnosis - Sources: To see sources, please scroll to the bottom because there are many... Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Hypnosis in Surgery 00:43 Common Misconceptions About Hypnosis 03:28 Hypnosis in European Hospitals 04:46 What Hypnosis Can't Do 05:42 How Hypnosis Works in the Brain 08:57 Hypnosis for Sleep Improvement 12:07 Hypnosis and Eating Habits 14:11 Hypnosis for Exercise Motivation 15:30 Hypnosis for Addiction 19:28 Hypnosis for Anxiety and Phobias 20:29 The Science Behind Hypnosis 21:30 Practical Tips for Anxiety Relief 22:33 Hypnozio: A Self-Hypnosis App 23:53 Pros and Cons of Self-Hypnosis Apps 26:45 Who Benefits Most from Hypnosis? 31:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 33:11 Definitely not Sam pretending to hypnotize listeners to leave good reviews because he is a responsible host who would never try such ridiculous things 33:42 Outro Sources: Under the knife with hypnosis - https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18725111-800-under-the-knife-under-hypnosis/ Heroin addiction - https://theriversource.org/blog/how-hypnosis-is-used-to-treat-addiction/ Hypnosurgery - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosurgery Switzerland trials - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17728216/ Copenhagen Hypnosis murders - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_hypnosis_murders Hypnosis and sleep - https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/full/10.5664/jcsm.6952 Hypnosis and insomnia - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypnosis-for-insomnia Weight loss meta-analysis - https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-006X.64.3.517 Hypnosis and addiction - https://theriversource.org/blog/how-hypnosis-is-used-to-treat-addiction/ Befreinding your vagus nerve - https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1089&context=mindfulness_theses Celebs and hypnosis - https://www.hipnose.com.br/en/blog/hypnosis/matt-damon-and-hypnosis/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Mars 35min

What if the path to a meaningful life isn't paved with comfort, but with deliberate discomfort? In this episode, we explore the insidious nature of "flabbiness" - not just of body, but of mind and spirit. We'll uncover how our modern world lulls us into a state of complacent existence, and why the easy path often leads to the hardest life. Through stories of transformation and philosophical insights, we'll challenge the notion that happiness comes from avoiding difficulty. Instead, we'll discover how embracing challenge and responsibility can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment. This isn't just about self-improvement; it's about redefining what it means to truly live in a world that often encourages us to merely exist: Choose your hard: Decide which difficulties are worth embracing Create your own resistance: Design challenges that grow you Reframe comfort: See ease as a tool, not a destination Are you ready to trade comfort for meaning? The choice is yours. Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Mental, moral and physical laziness - how to beat our modern addictions Chapters: 00:00 Discover Your Habits - The Good and The Bad 00:54 Crack the Code - 3 Stages of Flabbiness 01:44 Rise Above Flabbiness 02:03 1st Stage: Conquer Physical Flabbiness 02:59 2nd Stage: Escape the Grip of Mental Flabbiness 03:43 3rd Stage: Battling Moral Flabbiness 04:56 Adventure Awaits 05:37 Explore Alastair Humphreys: "There Are Other Rivers" 05:57 Embrace Imperfections In Your Life 06:32 Victim mentality 07:36 Take Control of Your Life 08:56 Rewire for Success: Transform Your Mindset 09:59 Mental Reshaping: Beyond Your Comfort Zone 11:56 Small Good Habits As Fuel For Growth 12:12 Stanley Milgram and social influence 13:00 Stoicism and dichotomy of control 14:03 Buddhism the escaping suffering 15:26 Taoism and desire 17:37 Build The life You Want To Have Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Mars 20min

We're all blind to our own patterns. Even when we think we're self-aware, there's a whole universe of emotional blocks lurking beneath the surface. Most of us walk around thinking we understand ourselves, but the reality is we're operating on autopilot. This episode features coach Tracy Litt, a performance coach who reveals how seemingly innocent behaviours can actually be fear mechanisms in disguise. The conversation gets deeply personal as Sam confronts his own emotional avoidance, exploring why he distracts himself during vulnerable moments and can struggle to fully express emotions. Tracy explains how our brains create clever diversions precisely when we need to feel something deeply, and offers practical ways to break through these invisible barriers. Take homes: Start a judgment journal to track how often you critically evaluate yourself and others Practice intentional emotional release through techniques like guided screaming Use fear as a GPS—when something scares you, it's probably pointing toward your growth Ready to uncover what's really holding you back? Listen now and prepare for some uncomfortable but transformative insights. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: How to uncover emotional blocks holding you back, when you can't see them w/ Tracy Litt Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to hidden fears 02:43 How Tracy sees herself 03:42 Judgement journal 04:37 Tracy's story on how controlling she was 05:45 Sam relates with Tracy's past 07:17 At what point did this transformation occur 11:57 Getting really comfortable feeling all of your feelings 14:03 Does Sam struggle with emotion? 15:16 Diging into emotional distractions 17:26 Sam never getting angry 18:40 Screaming as therapy 19:17 Sam pointing out his voice as a thing to work on 21:27 Is there anything in life that is currently troubling or scaring Tracy? 24:37 How did Tracy overcome her fear of starting to do live videos on Facebook 27:56 Coaching other people and reaching out for a coach 31:25 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Mars 34min

Bruce Lee wasn't just a martial arts icon. He was a master of mental discipline, using six powerful habits that transformed his approach to life and success. Bruce's journey reveals how deliberate practice shaped his legendary status. Instead of fearing failure, he embraced it as a teacher, carrying notebooks everywhere to capture insights that became contracts with himself. His methods were surprisingly practical—reading voraciously across diverse subjects, daily goal recitation, and blending Eastern philosophy with Western training techniques. This episode explores how Lee's training wasn't based on natural talent but rather his "fanatical" dedication, adapting everything from weightlifting to fencing to create something entirely new. "Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own" - Bruce Lee His willingness to challenge traditions while respecting foundations made him revolutionary in multiple domains. Takeaways: Start carrying a notebook to capture ideas and insights, reflecting on them regularly Practice goal recitation daily to encode your ambitions into your subconscious Read widely outside your expertise to create unique mental connections Ready to transform your mindset? Press play to unlock Bruce Lee's blueprint for unstoppable growth. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠ Apple - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - ⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠ Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Similar Episodes: The Science of Mental Strength The incredible mental models of Jeff Bezos Charlie Mungers lessons for timeless wisdom Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Bruce Lee's 6 habits of success Chapters: 00:00 Bruce Lee's First Boxing Match Against Gary Elms 02:25 Bruce Lee's Habits of Success 02:35 #1 - Embrace Failure on the Path to Success 04:27 #2 - Carry a Notebook Everywhere 05:25 #3 - Repeat goals to yourself 08:19 #4 - Practice your Craft Constantly 09:50 #5 - Constantly Read a Variety of Subjects 11:22 #6 - Research and Adapt 13:23 Bruce Lee's Influence After 50 Years 13:44 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Mars 18min

What if the greatest barrier to your success isn't what you don't know, but what you think you know that simply isn't so? This episode explores the subtle architecture of stupidity – not as a personal failing, but as a series of distinct patterns that emerge in all human thinking. We'll journey through seven varieties, from the straightforward lack of cognitive ability to the more insidious systemic stupidity that quietly infects organizations and societies. You'll discover how the most brilliant minds often fall prey to overthinking stupidity, rejecting elegant solutions in favor of complex ones. We'll examine how groups collectively generate stupidity that no individual would create alone, and how our identities and egos become entangled with ideas, making us defend positions that no longer serve us or reflect reality. Learnings: Build decision-making systems that protect against collective cognitive blindspots Identify which stupidity patterns you are prone to. Develop your intellectual honesty muscle using "What would convince me I'm wrong?" Join us in reimagining how we think about thinking – because understanding stupidity might be the most intelligent thing we can do. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Related Episodes 5 Science-backed ways to stop disappointing yourself - Spotify - Apple The Psychology of Mistakes - 7 types of lazy thinking - Spotify - Apple 4 Hidden fears that sabotage your life - and what to do about them - Spotify - Apple Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Can you talk with your subconscious? - w/ Jeff Bauhner Chapters: 00:00 Analyzing different types of stupidity 01:58 #1 - Pure Stupidity 04:45 #2 - Ignorance 08:07 #3 - Overconfident expert stupidity 10:55 #4 - Rule-Based Stupidity 18:30 #5 - Overthinking stupidity 23:37 #6 - Organizational Stupidity 26:55 #7 - Ego Based Stupidity 32:07 Stupidity is often a deliberate choice 35:03 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Mars 37min

What if the path to happiness isn't where all the spotlights are shining? While most seek contentment in the thin slice of "now," true fulfilment lives in a paradox. We're stuck in what I call "now-ish" thinking—that anxiety-producing zone of yesterday's failures and tomorrow's deadlines. We're taught to live in the moment, yet rarely consider where our moments are leading us. True happiness requires an honest look at your 30-year trajectory. Are you building skills you want to master for decades? Hanging with friends who'll still challenge you in 2055? The work that drains you today will absolutely crush your soul twenty years from now. But immediate happiness isn't found in some mystical future achievement either. Small daily habits can make a big difference to the quality of our days from opening up deeper conversations to knocking on the door of our limits. Practical lessons this episode: Stop obsessing over now-ish problems and pay attention to what really matters The way to keep potential alive Choose one focus each day rather than drowning in endless possibilities Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Unconventional ideas on happiness that change how you feel today (and in 30 years) Chapters: 00:00 Unconventional Ideas on Happiness 01:38 Is it all about NOW? 03:47 Now-ish thinking 05:15 30-year thinking 06:17 Goal based vs energy based work 08:26 Questions to ask yourself 10:10 Danger of putting off till 'one day' 11:05 Doing what you want or don't know how to stop? 12:14 Balancing present and future thinking 14:36 Reframing Your Thinking to Be More Happy 14:47 "I Get To" 17:07 "What Was Your Rose" 19:27 "Tell Me More" 20:56 "Yet" 22:38 "Will This Thing Matter A Year From Now" 24:56 "I Will Focus on X" 27:40 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mars 31min