The Science of Self

Despite so many studies being done on improving ourselves, it can be hard to find specific, actionable steps to make our lives better. Bestselling authors cut out the jargon and pop psychology to give insight and tips to be a better you. If you want proven ways and applicable tips to live a better life, listen in weekly and improve your life from the inside out!

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Episodes

Control Your Impulses

Impulses are the antithesis of self-discipline. They are unpredictable urges that can take over at any point. Studies have shown that impulses are stronger during emotional reactions. Thus, battling impulses is about putting as much time as possible between an emotional reaction and the actual response you give. Delaying tactics, in other words. You can use the 10 second/minute rule, label your feelings, write down the facts of a situation without regard to your personal perspective, and ask "wh...

Nov 01, 2021•14 min

Discomfort And All That It Entails

Next, we come to the practice of discomfort and all that it entails. By definition, anything that requires exercising self-discipline is uncomfortable. We’d rather not do it, otherwise it would be known as fun. This puts us in a quandary; sometimes there is nothing else we can do but suck it up and push forward, despite all the tactics and mindsets we’ve discussed in this book. At some point, we will have to be uncomfortable, and sometimes life is just a matter of how much discomfort you can sto...

Oct 29, 2021•8 min

Anti-Mental Models: How Avoidance Breeds Success

We can't help it; it's how we've been indoctrinated from childhood. Of course, it's not necessarily wrong either. I'm talking about our drive to reach toward achievements instead of avoiding negative consequences. Where other chapters of this book are about mental models, we introduce anti-mental models here to represent how you can achieve just as much if you only focus on one thing: avoidance. Mental Model #19: Avoid Direct Goals. Direct goals are like shooting for the moon, while anti-goals, ...

Oct 27, 2021•12 min

Retrieval Practice for Better Learning

Finally, utilize self-testing and practicing drawing information out of your brain instead of trying to stuff information into it. This may be counterintuitive, but the more we can engage in mini tests, the better we memorize and learn. This is known as retrieval practice, as you are retrieving information. Though this is mostly done through the context of flashcards, the overarching lesson is that we must be active in our efforts. The bigger the struggle, the deeper the learning and memorizatio...

Oct 25, 2021•8 min

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