Thinking Fast and Slow: How to make better decisions and avoid hidden mind traps

The laws of physics are the only true limits, stop letting your brain set fake limits. We accrue all sorts of limiting beliefs for different reasons. Our culture and reference points hide them from us. Or fear of failure keeps us small. This episode explores the psychology of self-limiting beliefs and fixed mindset ideas that sit hidden and unchallenged in our mind. These limiting beliefs sabotage our potential and the only way to stop them it to take ownership of your own thoughts. We explore: How mental barriers form and get accepted What ingredients make a genius Neuroplasticity and performance at any age The best strategies to grow your comfort zone As we launch into 2025 it's a great time to reflect on what has held us back and raise our bar for this year. This episode will help you set your sights higher and uncover the areas of potential you have untapped. This episode carries on the mini-series on goals and achievement: Journey vs Destination - Choosing the right goals Stop dreaming, start doing - The magic of actually doing stuff What are the top 5 Reasons we Fail to achieve our goals. Previous season on Fear: The Neuroscience of Fear: Understanding anxiety, trauma & tools to overcome fear 4 Hidden Fears that Secretly Sabotage Your Life 3 Tactics to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Overcome Fear of Failure The Psychology of Fear, Security and Emotional Intelligence (PolyVagal Theory) The Secrets Behind Curiosity Without Worry (Stephen Porges) How To Stop Catastrophising Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🌰 Acorns - Invest, earn & grow your money $5 dollar starting bonus - Acorns.com/Growth 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 Illusion of Limitations 02:18 Self-Efficacy Theory & The Brain's Security System 04:23 Safe Limits & Overcoming Social Anxiety 06:39 Reference Point Dependence 08:46 The Four-Minute Mile Barrier 09:52 Cultural Influences on Limitations 11:12 The Polgar Experiment: Genius is Made 13:18 Learning at Any Age 16:17 The Power of Environment 18:45 Advert Break 19:09 The Placebo Effect 20:46 Redesigning Your Environment 23:06 Strategies to Break Mental Barriers 24:08 Questioning Your Limits 26:40 Final Thoughts on Overcoming Barriers 27:19 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Jan 31min

The psychology of beating procrastination, inaction, and confusion that lets you systematically work towards any goal. Goal setting is easy - Goal achieving is a very different thing. We dig into the main causes and the often small but subtle tweaks we can make that keep us in check. Using ideas from psychology and ancient wisdom we see how humans have dealt with the big hairy ambitious goals over history and how you can too: Task Initiation Paralysis - Shows us how Charles Darwin overcame the most complex tasks in history. Ulysses Contracts - Teaches us how Victor Hugo wrote the timeless Hunchback of Notre Dame ahead of schedule by engineering his environment. Effective vs Fluffy Intentions - How psychologists helped heart surgery patients double their success rates through a simple sentence change. Sam also lists some of the most effective resources and tools you can access to stay on track to beat the common problems we face. This episode carries on the mini-series on goals and achievement: Journey vs Destination - Choosing the right goals Stop dreaming, start doing - The magic of actually doing stuff Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🎇 Constant Wonder - The podcast for questioning why Explorations of wonder and awe in science, art, & history 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 How we lose track of reality and where to find it 01:21 Unrealistic expectations 02:07 Not ready for the moment 05:36 Time to adjust to new habit 06:11 Personal responsibility - No external help - No momentum 07:49 Charles Darwin and Task Initiation Paralysis 10:02 Beating Motivation with "when - Then" contracts 13:06 Ulysses contracts and Victor Hugo's writing strategy 16:47 Get it out of your head 17:43 Cohort learning 19:10 Coaching 20:02 Accountability Groups 21:45 Future letters 23:02 Bonus tips 24:07 Temporal discounting and the real Marshmallow study 26:18 Keeping promises to ourselves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Jan 30min

Stop Dreaming, Start Doing - Action is more important than planning. We are increasingly addicted to planning yet more and more allergic to doing. Get your ducks in a row this year as we learn about the psychology behind our goals and dreams and what it takes to knuckle down, make some hard decisions and start taking action. We discuss some key concepts: What is our real work The problem with motivation and aspirations Waiting for life to blow us in the right direction 4 Burners theory Sam also shares his own results, including the failures and successes behind taking bigger leaps and focusing on your main goals. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🎇 Constant Wonder - The podcast for questioning why Explorations of wonder and awe in science, art, & history 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 Amateur vs Professional goal-seeking 00:38 Growth Minded ambition vs Fixed Minded 01:07 The trap of 'find your calling' 02:29 The real work behind your calling 03:21 "When I feel like it" - means "never" 04:36 Writing as a hobby or a profession 06:16 Podcasting at professional quality 08:12 Making your own path 10:26 Sam's results and reflections 14:40 4 Burners Hypothesis 16:26 Questions to stop dreaming and start doing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Jan 20min

What does it mean to live a good life? The Stoics were the masters of asking the right questions to focus the mind on what's important. At the year's end, it's a perfect time to reflect on who you've been this year and who you want to be going forward. We juggle multiple priorities and hectic demands, so it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day. Today's episode will combine Psychology with Stoicism as we ask the most important questions we can of ourselves to help direct our lives in the direction we want them to take. Topics include: Turning obstacles into opportunity Overcoming the fears that hold us back Simplifying our life Walking the walk Taking control of our responsibilities. Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul: Inner peace comes from self-awareness and reflection" Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🎇 Constant Wonder - The podcast for questioning why Explorations of wonder and awe in science, art, & history 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 Connecting Stoic wisdom and growth mindsets 02:36 Am I Practicing What I Preach? 03:59 How can I simplify my life to focus on what's important? 06:02 Will this matter in one year or five years time? 08:20 What is within my control? 10:18 How can I turn obstacles into opportunities? 14:17 What fears are holding me back? 15:32 How am I contributing to my own dissatisfaction? 17:01 To be or to do? 18:34 Are you doing your job? 19:41 What would it mean to live a good life today? 21:13 Send off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 Dec 202424min

Why do we get off track, and how do we get back on track? Humans love goals, but where do our goals come from? How much do we choose them vs. have them chosen for us... We learn how to stop working towards destinations that look good to others. Instead, we dissect what makes a good goal that creates a journey we want to go on. Topics include: The reality of aspirational destinations Focussing on the journeys of your life A healthy relationship with money How to stay motivated The rule of thirds As we learn more about appreciating the road less travelled and what a good life means to us we can step back from the frenetic distractions and occupations to think about what really matters. As the famous saying goes "It's just another cold dark night on the side of Everest" - Sometimes our goals feel boring in the day-to-day and we lose sight of the big picture. Remember there is something worth fighting for. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🥙 Hello Fresh - America's #1 meal kit provider 10 free meals across 7 boxes HelloFresh.com/FreeGrowthMindset 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 Journey vs Destination and modern Decision overwhelm 02:09 Aspirational Destinations, Food Make-up and other myths 04:12 Reality is not sexy, Focus on the now 05:38 Think of your heartbeats 06:39 Beware chasing money 08:18 Enjoying the journey - What is a good game? 09:34 The Rule of Thirds 10:22 Another dark cold night on the side of everest 11:16 Take homes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Dec 202414min

The science behind spreading Christmas cheer and getting people to like you. Not only is Elf a wonderfully silly and enjoyable Christmas movie. Its premise is based on a fascinating concept that can be explored using psychology. What happens when an adult is raised by elves? Not only do we get to revisit a great story but we can learn about: Attachment Theory Identity Development Social Contagion and spreading good vibes Family Systems Nuerodivergence and upbringing effects The psychology of Jor and Wonder A great way to learn some science and develop your own sense of curiosity and wonder is to dive headfirst down rabbit holes of psychology and overly analyse movies for the sheer hell of it. It's a great movie and there's lots to learn about ourselves, Christmas and happiness when we look beyond the candy canes and maple syrup. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🥙 Hello Fresh - America's #1 meal kit provider 10 free meals across 7 boxes HelloFresh.com/FreeGrowthMindset 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 Diving into Buddy the Elf's Psychology 01:14 Psychological Underpinnings of Elf 04:47 Buddy's Positive Coping Strategies 06:04 Identity, Cultural Adaptation and Stages of Identity Development 09:20 Buddy's Social Interactions 11:43 Social Contagion Theory 13:38 Buddy's Authentic Enthusiasm 16:10 Neurodivergence and Buddy's Brain 21:10 Psychology of Joy and Wonder 24:27 Family Systems and Buddy's Impact 27:04 Lessons from Buddy the Elf 28:14 Conclusion: Spread Joy and Wonder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Dec 202431min

What does psychology say about the role of information in building wisdom and lasting change in our lives? There is an explosion in self-help content. From gurus on Tik Tok to 85,000 self-help books being published a year. But what actually works? This episode explores the psychology of learning and how to put information into practice: How to identify time-wasting nonsense? 3 steps to build a healthy content diet The best forms of content for retention and lasting changes? Take home strategy to build deeper wisdom You'll come away with an improved growth mindset that doesn't fall for promises of instant results and is ready to put time and effort into cultivating wisdom instead of consuming it. Recommended Books: Slow Productivity - Cal Newport The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg Pachinko - Min Jin Lee Wild Swans - Jung Chang Replay - Ken Grimwood Dalai Lama's Cat - David Michie And The Mountains Echoed - Khaled Hosseini The Mood Of Future Joys - Alastair Humphreys Siddartha - Herman Hesse Science References: Dr Robert Sternberg - What is Wisdom and How Can We Develop It Dr Patricia Alexander - The Development of Expertise: The Journey from Acclimation to Proficiency Dr Paul Zak - The Neuroscience of Narrative Transportation: Why Inspiring Stories Make Us React Dr Keith Oatley - Fiction: The Narrative Simulation of Social Worlds Dr Richard Nisbett - The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🥙 Hello Fresh - America's #1 meal kit provider 10 free meals across 7 boxes HelloFresh.com/FreeGrowthMindset 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 How to actually help yourself with self-help 01:18 The Paradox of Modern Self-Help 02:36 The Slow Wisdom of Ancient Cultures 03:06 The Harm of Fast Advice & Illusion of Instant Mastery 05:01 Cal Newport's Framework for Personal Development - Three Types of Self-Help Content 06:17 The Candy Bar of Self-Help: Social Media 07:06 The Protein Shake: Longer Form Content 07:50 The Full Meal: Books 10:08 The Power of Narrative Transportation 19:27 The Value of Diverse Perspectives 20:56 Building a House of Personal Growth 22:08 A Balanced Approach to Content Consumption 24:13 The Danger of Overwhelming Amounts Information and Instructions 27:07 Conclusion: Cultivating Wisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Dec 202432min

Modern technology amplifies our fear and emotions. FOMO is on the rise. Whether you are worried about being invited to a party, checking social media, or finding it harder to make decisions. FOMO is increasingly driving our emotions and actions. It is a deeply natural feeling built into us through hundreds of thousands of years of evolution. But it hasn't kept up with our incredible pace of technological change. Part of the reason we have such a decline in mental health is we can compare ourselves to the perfect lives all around us in the digital world and feel we don't stack up. This episode will help you understand what's really going on: The evolutionary roots of FOMO How our modern world is making us anxious Why ADHD is on the rise Where to take back our focus What to celebrate and look up to. Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Sponsors: 🥙 Hello Fresh - America's #1 meal kit provider 10 free meals across 7 boxes HelloFresh.com/FreeGrowthMindset 🐏 Unbound Merino - Highest quality Merino wool clothing 10% off with code 'PSYCHOLOGY' UnboundMerino.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 - Grow Chapters: 00:00 Psychology of FOMO 04:03 Evolutionary Roots of FOMO 08:15 Modern Technology and Social Media's Role in FOMO 10:18 Consumer Culture, Crypto and Parasocial Relationships 14:31 Psychological Costs & Impact on Mental Health 15:50 FOMO and Decision Making 17:17 The Rise of ADHD 18:54 Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset 21:09 The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) 21:36 Practical Tips to Overcome FOMO 25:17 Conclusion: Embracing the Present Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Dec 202430min