Podcast appearances and mentions of anthony rao

In this episode, I discuss the seven principles for building agency, as outlined in the book 'The Power of Agency' by Dr. Paul Napper and Anthony Rao, Ph.D. I emphasize the importance of agency in living a meaningful life and provide practical advice on how to enhance one's agency through controlling stimuli, building relationships, maintaining physical health, fostering a learning mindset, managing emotions, trusting intuition, and taking decisive action. Timestamps: 01:25 Control Stimuli 03:10 Associate Selectively 05:01 Move 07:21 Position Yourself as a Learner 09:43 Manage Your Emotions and Beliefs 11:12 Check Your Intuition 13:12 Deliberate, Then Act - See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://everybodyspod.com/deals/ - Shop For Everybody  Use code SFE10 for 10% OFF

There's an Anne Lamott quote that says, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes—including you.” And that's a lovely quote and quite true in so many instances, but also sometimes? Sometimes it can feel next to impossible to unplug. Sometimes that unplugging has to be a dramatic event where you realize that you have to rescue yourself from the habits that are controlling your life, or the people controlling your life and you have to actually take your own control of your life. I know! I know! Terrifying. But the first question is: how do you actually take control over your life? Over at the greatergood, there are some potential possibilities that we're going to share here. It's a great article written by Anthony Rao and Paul Napper back in 2019. Controlling Stimuli They write: “Agency begins with what you let into your mind—meaning what comes in from your environment. If you are lacking agency, it's likely your attention is being hijacked and you need to figure out how to restore it.” A phone next to you when you're reading? It's probably going to distract you, they say. But walking outside? It lets your brain recharge. Same thing with email notifications.  Another thing they suggest is . . . “Associate Selectively” They write: “It's impossible not to be affected by those around us—it's easy to “catch” their emotions, for example, and our brains tend to synch up when we associate with other people. That means you should set boundaries with difficult people, disentangle yourself from negative online interactions, and be more conscious of how you might be vulnerable to “groupthink”—pressures to behave or think in ways that are contrary to your values.” How do you do that when that person is your kid? It's a good question. But they suggest making sure you have a lot of interactions with people who want to help you cultivate your skills and talents, grow to your potential, and help you with your positive beliefs. Volunteering and just chatting can help. Move Around Get up. Off the couch. Off the chair. Stretch. Walk. Dance. As often as possible. Learn They write: “People with high levels of agency are continually learning more and expanding their capacity to learn by adopting a more open, collaborative approach to everything in life.” There's a whole lot more we'll talk about next week too, but for this week, try this: Put your phone in another room while you work.Go outside and walk if you can.Get up every 40 minutes and move around for five. Set a timer.Chat with someone positive or sign up to volunteer somewhere.Sign up for a free class or even listen to a podcast like this. Take some time to learn something. And think about this: “You can't buy, achieve or date serenity and peace of mind,” Anne Lamott says in a TedTalk about being sixty-one. “It's an inside job, and we can't arrange peace or lasting improvement for the people we love most in the world. They have to find their own ways, their own answers.” DOG TIP FOR LIFE Bark. Communicate your needs and sometimes the neighbor will bark back and you'll feel less lonely. LINKS WE USE IN THE PODCAST https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_feel_more_in_control_of_your_life https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/help-i-found-a-weird-way-to-calm-the-dog-next-door-my-neighbor-is-furious-about-it/ar-AAVAHvE SHOUT OUT! The music we've clipped and shortened in this podcast is awesome and is made available through the Creative Commons License. Here's a link to that and the artist's website. Who is this artist and what is this song? It's “Summer Spliff” by Broke For Free. AND we are transitioning to a new writer podcast called WRITE BETTER NOW! You'll be able to check it out here starting in 2022! We have a podcast, LOVING THE STRANGE, which we stream live on Carrie's Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn on Fridays. Her Facebook and Twitter handles are all carriejonesbooks or carriejonesbook. Carrie is reading one of her poems every week on CARRIE DOES POEMS. And there you go! Whew! That's a lot! Here's the link. Write Better Now - Writing Tips podcast for authors and writers loving the strange the podcast about embracing the weird Carrie Does Poems

There's an Anne Lamott quote that says, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes—including you.” And that's a lovely quote and quite true in so many instances, but also sometimes? Sometimes it can feel next to impossible to unplug. Sometimes that unplugging has to be a dramatic event where you realize that you have to rescue yourself from the habits that are controlling your life, or the people controlling your life and you have to actually take your own control of your life. I know! I know! Terrifying. BUT THE FIRST QUESTION IS: HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY TAKE CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE? Over at the greatergood, there are some potential possibilities that we're going to share here. It's a great article written by Anthony Rao and Paul Napper back in 2019. Controlling Stimuli They write: “Agency begins with what you let into your mind—meaning what comes in from your environment. If you are lacking agency, it's likely your attention is being hijacked and you need to figure out how to restore it.” A phone next to you when you're reading? It's probably going to distract you, they say. But walking outside? It lets your brain recharge. Same thing with email notifications.  Another thing they suggest is . . . “Associate Selectively” They write: “It's impossible not to be affected by those around us—it's easy to “catch” their emotions, for example, and our brains tend to synch up when we associate with other people. That means you should set boundaries with difficult people, disentangle yourself from negative online interactions, and be more conscious of how you might be vulnerable to “groupthink”—pressures to behave or think in ways that are contrary to your values.” How do you do that when that person is your kid? It's a good question. But they suggest making sure you have a lot of interactions with people who want to help you cultivate your skills and talents, grow to your potential, and help you with your positive beliefs. Volunteering and just chatting can help. Move Around Get up. Off the couch. Off the chair. Stretch. Walk. Dance. As often as possible. Learn They write: “People with high levels of agency are continually learning more and expanding their capacity to learn by adopting a more open, collaborative approach to everything in life.” THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE WE'LL TALK ABOUT NEXT WEEK TOO, BUT FOR THIS WEEK, TRY THIS: Put your phone in another room while you work. Go outside and walk if you can. Get up every 40 minutes and move around for five. Set a timer. Chat with someone positive or sign up to volunteer somewhere. Sign up for a free class or even listen to a podcast like this. Take some time to learn something. And think about this: “You can't buy, achieve or date serenity and peace of mind,” Anne Lamott says in a TedTalk about being sixty-one. “It's an inside job, and we can't arrange peace or lasting improvement for the people we love most in the world. They have to find their own ways, their own answers.” DOG TIP FOR LIFE Bark. Communicate your needs and sometimes the neighbor will bark back and you'll feel less lonely. LINKS WE USE IN THE PODCAST greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_feel_more_in_control_of_your_life www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/help-i-found-a-weird-way-to-calm-the-dog-next-door-my-neighbor-is-furious-about-it/ar-AAVAHvE SHOUT OUT! The music we've clipped and shortened in this podcast is awesome and is made available through the Creative Commons License. Here's a link to that and the artist's website. Who is this artist and what is this song? It's “Summer Spliff” by Broke For Free. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/carriejonesbooks/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/carriejonesbooks/support

How do you set your intentions each day? Do you rise late, rush to get ready, head out the door and jump from task, to meeting, to phone call, to kids sports, to the grocery store with never a thought about caring for yourself? Where do you find time each day for you? When do you take a moment to just breathe? What will it take for you to realize that you, and only you, have the power to say: "I am important!"In today's episode, host Jason Ramsden shares 10 tips on how you can mindfully take back control of your life in these crazy times. He also shares experiences from his own life on how he is working to make improvements in the hopes of inspiring others.RATE & REVIEW THE SHOWReview us on Love the Podcast or Apple Podcasts -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we appreciate your support greatly.ENGAGE WITH THE SHOWSubscribe, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedInCONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or TwitterRESOURCESArticlesTake Back Your Life in Ten Steps by Tony Schwartz (hbr.com)Seven Ways to Feel More in Control of Your Life by Anthony Rao; Paul Napper (berkeley.edu)App LinksCalm App; Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety. (Apple, Android)Amazon Links**EP30: Metahuma: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential by Depak Chopra, MD.EP19: Chatter;The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness ItEP11: Give and Take by Adam GrantEP04: The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel RobbinsEP02: Find Your Why by Simon Sinek (audio version)

Join us for another hour long special with this brilliant doctor duo. Download this episode of TalentTalk Radio with host, Chris Dyer, and guests, Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao, co-authors of The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions and Create a Life on Your Own Terms. Dr. Napper leads a management psychology and executive coaching consultancy in Boston. His client list includes Fortune 500 companies, universities, and start-ups. Dr. Rao is a nationally known expert in psychology. He started his career as a psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and for more than twenty years he was an instructor at Harvard Medical School. We’ll join together for some Tuesday Thoughts to discuss how we use “agency” to better our situation. With stress at an all-time high right now, we’ll explore what we can do to keep ourselves stable and grounded. Dr. Napper & Dr. Rao will share stories about what they’ve learned from working with so many top leaders and organizations during the crisis; and tools and techniques to help us better manage.

Today's episode of Mindfulness Monday features a conversation between Ora Nadrich and Paul Napper, co-author (Anthony Rao) of the deeply insightful book; The Power of Agency - The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms. Dr. Paul Napper provides consultation and coaching to business leaders to help them sharpen and strengthen their leadership efforts. His professional background includes extensive experience in assessment and the application of psychological principles to improve the performance of individuals and organizations. His client list includes Fortune 500 companies, universities, start-ups and non-profits. Dr. Napper launched his career as a Wall Street analyst, first with J.P. Morgan Investment Management in New York and, following that, with Crowell, Weedon and Company in Los Angeles. During his tenure as a securities analyst, he was responsible for following several major industries, including banking, insurance, and media. He subsequently launched the management psychology practice, Performance Psychology Consulting, with two partners in 1998, where he advises a broad array of organizations and industries. Dr. Napper earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania in International Relations and pursued his master's degree in the same field at the University of Chicago. He received his doctorate from William James College, one of the nation's preeminent colleges of applied professional psychology. He completed an advanced fellowship in psychological testing and assessment during a three-year academic appointment at Harvard Medical School. He authored a book on psychological agency and the realization of human potential published by St. Martin's Press in 2019. Learn more: http://performpsych.com/about.php

After a year in which all of our lives have been turned topsy-turvy, the notion that we can be in full command of our lives going forward may seem fanciful. But Dr. Paul Napper, a renowned psychology expert and business consultant, has developed a science-based approach to living life on our own terms. In his latest book, “The Power of Agency,” co-authored with Dr. Anthony Rao, Dr. Napper outlines seven empowering steps that anyone can use to take charge of their life. Of the seven principles, Dr. Napper tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, one that is particularly important during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is to associate yourself with supportive positive people who you can learn from. Hear all seven of Dr. Napper’s steps now and start off 2021 fresh; ready to succeed regardless of what life throws your way. [Resolve to purchase your own copy of “The Power of Agency” here.] Photo: Dr. Paul Napper, Performance Psychology Consulting Posted: December 21, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 51:16

We know anxiety rates are skyrocketing in teens, even the ones who seem to have it all together. But how do we impact that? How can we help them reduce their anxiety? Agency. This is the ability to exert power, to have control over our life. It turns out, feeling like we are in control of our life reduces anxiety. That’s the power of agency, feeling like we have control over our life. And feeling like we have control means we are actually doing something to make our life better so it generally improves. Dr. Anthony Rao has a discussion with Mighty Parenting podcast host Sandy Fowler about the power of agency and how we can teach our teens and twenty somethings to use it to feel better and direct their life. Our Guest: Anthony Rao  Detailed Show Notes and Support at MightyParenting.com episode 141 Our Sponsors:  She Can STEM shows girls how cool science, technology, engineering, and math can be. Visit shecanstem.com Struggling to work or volunteer or follow another passion while still loving your family? Sandy Fowler can help. Click here.

Dr. Anthony Rao, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Vanderbilt University. For more than 20 years, Dr. Rao worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Children's Hospital and served as an instructor at Harvard Medical School, where he trained psychologists and physicians in the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT. Dr. Rao has been a featured expert on documentaries and has been interviewed for articles in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Parents Magazine, among many others. His editorial letters and opinions have appeared in a wide range of publications including Newsweek, Scientific American, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.Dr. Rao has lectured extensively at universities, including Tufts University, Emerson College, and Boston University. He regularly presents at conferences, parenting groups, and conducts workshops for professionals around the country who work with children and young adults. His first book, The Way of Boys: Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Young Boys (HarperCollins) is an expose on the current crisis in American boyhood. It urges parents, educators, pediatricians, psychologists, and other developmental experts to reevaluate and radically alter how we raise boys – so boys can be their best, respecting their unique development right from the start.

Healthy parenting during the Coronavirus lockdown has some challenges. Our kids are feeling a lot of different emotions. They are dealing with a lack of routine and they get tired of being locked down with us. But there are things parents can do, and things we shouldn't even worry about. Behavioral therapist Anthony Rao joins Mighty Parenting host Sandy Fowler to discuss healthy parenting strategies for the pandemic. Find out what’s most important and the things you can do to help your child and yourself through this historical time. Our Guest: Anthony Rao, PsyD  Detailed Show Notes at MightyParenting.comhttps://mightyparenting.com/healthy-parenting-strategies-for-handling-the-coronavirus-lockdown-anthony-rao-episode-119/ Our Sponsor: Versiti Versiti—Stronger Together! People need people and Versiti Blood Centers bring people together through the lifesaving gift of blood donation. Every two seconds, someone needs blood: trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, people with anemia, cancer patients and many more. Your blood donation can save up to 3 lives right in your community. Donating is simple and safe. Click here now to visit Versiti.org and make an appointment. Support this podcast at MightyParenting.com/support

I have two guests for you this week—psychologists Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao, authors of the recent book, The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms. The three of us explored ways to reclaim greater control over our lives, from engaging more with the physical world to releasing fear and honoring our intuition. We also discussed the benefits of psychodynamic therapy, and how it can complement a cognitive behavioral approach.

I have two guests this week—psychologists Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao. We discussed their recent book, The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms (affiliate link). Agency’s an important topic that we probably don’t talk about enough. The three of us explored ways to reclaim greater control over our lives, from engaging more with the physical world to releasing fear and honoring our intuition. We also discussed the benefits of psychodynamic therapy, and how it can complement a cognitive behavioral approach. Other topics we touched on included: The feelings of overwhelm and loss of control that are troubling so many people Factors that contribute to rising levels of stress, including social isolation, technology, and less time outside Why we often feel like we’re not keeping up and taking care of what we need to The radical changes in how we live over the past 200 years The drive for constant productivity that often dominates our lives The enormous amount of information that confronts us every day The value in letting yourself be bored at times The loss of time for moments of reflection The advantages of analog (non-digital) activities How my guests manage their own use of screens and social media The influence that messaging and marketing from digital devices can have on us The pressure young people often feel to do what everyone else is doing The problem with being immobile for hours at a time, and the energy created by movement Lisa Barrett’s work on being able to pinpoint how we’re feeling Why it’s often healing to go outdoors The Japanese concept of Forest Bathing Why practices in stillness (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation; sitting meditation) are so helpful The many ways of practicing mindfulness Why anxiety seems to be the primary emotion (see this episode with Dr. Todd Pressman where we discussed a similar topic) The distinction between stress and anxiety How to distinguish intuition versus fear Anthony Rao, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who completed his doctorate in psychology at Vanderbilt University. For more than 20 years, Anthony worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Children's Hospital and served as instructor at Harvard Medical School, where he trained psychologists and physicians in the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Anthony has been a featured expert on documentaries and has been interviewed for articles in The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Washington Times, Chicago Tribune, and Parents Magazine, among many others. His editorial letters and opinions have appeared in a wide range of publications including Newsweek, Scientific American, The New York Times, and New York Magazine. Anthony has also lectured extensively at universities, including Tufts University, Emerson College, and Boston University. He regularly presents at conferences and parenting groups, and conducts workshops for professionals around the country who work with children and young adults. His first book, The Way of Boys: Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Young Boys (affiliate link), is an expose on the current crisis in American boyhood. It  urges parents, educators, pediatricians, psychologists, and other developmental experts to reevaluate and radically alter how we raise boys – so boys can be their best, respecting their unique development right from the start. Paul Napper, PsyD, helps business leaders increase their effectiveness through focusing and strengthening their agency as leaders. His professional background includes extensive experience in assessment and the application of psychological principles to improve the performance of people and organizations. His client list includes Fortune 500 companies, financial firms, non-profit organizations, universities, as well as start-ups. ​

There’s a silent epidemic that’s ravaging America, one that’s lurking below the headlines: our near-constant state of anxiety. According to the World Health Organization, the United States is the most anxious nation on earth, with at least one in five people—a full forty million Americans—currently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A new APA poll reveals that for the second year in a row, two in every three Americans say they are extremely or somewhat anxious. Even our children aren’t spared, with reported rates of anxiety steadily increasing year after year.   Our accelerated lifestyles, always-on technology, and ever-increasing job demands have created a tsunami of overwhelm and anxiety, warn renowned psychology experts Paul Napper and Anthony Rao. As individuals, we’ve lost our agency: the ability to deal with stress and act as an effective agent for ourselves—thinking, reflecting, and acting in ways that direct us toward the lives we want. Agency is what humans use to feel in control of their lives. And right now, it’s gone. ITHE POWER OF AGENCY: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms, Napper and Rao distill 50 years of clinical fieldwork, cutting-edge research, and more than one hundred in-depth interviews into accessible techniques and tools that will create agency and build your confidence. The Power of Agency

As we get ready to enter a new year and a new decade, are you feeling increasingly anxious, overwhelmed and unable to make good decisions? You are not alone. Now you can take back control of your life. In their new book, THE POWER OF AGENCY: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms, Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao distill 50 years of clinical fieldwork, cutting-edge research, and more than 100 in-depth interviews into accessible techniques and tools that will help you create agency and build your confidence. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. is the most anxious nation on earth, with at least 1 in 5 people — 40 million Americans—currently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. And a new APA poll reveals that for the second year in a row, two in every three Americans say they are extremely or somewhat anxious. Even our children aren’t spared. Why? Our accelerated lifestyles, always-on technology, and ever-increasing job demands have created a tsunami of overwhelm and anxiety. As individuals, we’ve lost our agency: the ability to deal with stress and act as an effective agent for ourselves—thinking, reflecting, and acting in ways that direct us toward the lives we want. Agency is what humans use to feel in control of their lives. And right now, it’s gone. Paul Napper, Psy.D, leads a management psychology practice. His client list includes Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, universities, and start-ups. He has held an advanced fellowship during a three-year academic appointment at Harvard Medical School. Anthony Rao, Ph.D., is a cognitive-behavioral therapist. For over 20 years, he was a pediatric psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. In 1998, he opened a specialized private practice.

Introducing The Power of Agency, a science-backed approach to living life on your own terms. Agency is the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself―reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life. Grounded in extensive psychological research, The Power of Agency gives you the tools to help alleviate anxiety, manage competing demands and help you live your version of success. Renowned psychology experts Paul Napper and Anthony Rao will help you break through your state of overwhelm by showing you how to access your personal agency with seven empowering principles: control stimuli, associate selectively, move, position yourself as a learner, manage your emotions and beliefs, check your intuition, deliberate and then act. Featuring stories of people who have successfully applied these principles to improve their lives, The Power of Agency will give you the insights and skills to build your confidence, conquer challenges, and live more authentically. Link to the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RmwI14 books, author reading, nonfiction books, book podcast, psychology books, audiobooks

Agency. It’s one of my favorite words and psychological concepts (and a cornerstone of our Optimize Coach program). So, when I saw this book I immediately got it and read it and here we are. Paul Napper and Anthony Rao are leading consultants and clinicians (who have both held academic positions at Harvard Medical School). In their great book, they define agency as “the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself—reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life.” Then they provide practical, scientifically-grounded wisdom on, as per the sub-title of the book: “The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.” In this Note, we take a quick look at the 7 principles and shine a spotlight on the first 3 with a focus on how we can Optimize our agency TODAY!!

Agency. It’s one of my favorite words and psychological concepts (and a cornerstone of our Optimize Coach program). So, when I saw this book I immediately got it and read it and here we are. Paul Napper and Anthony Rao are leading consultants and clinicians (who have both held academic positions at Harvard Medical School). In their great book, they define agency as “the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself—reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life.” Then they provide practical, scientifically-grounded wisdom on, as per the sub-title of the book: “The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.” In this Note, we take a quick look at the 7 principles and shine a spotlight on the first 3 with a focus on how we can Optimize our agency TODAY!!

Kathryn interviews Editor NY Times Book Review Pamela Paul, author of “How to Raise a Reader.” Reading can be a source of stress for parents: “Which books should I read to my baby? Is my child reading soon enough, fast enough?” Paul answers these questions with practical tips, been-there wisdom and inspirational advice. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, Washington Post, NY Times Magazine, Time, NY Times EducationLife, Economist, Vogue and Psychology Today. Kathryn also interviews Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist Anthony Rao PhD, author of “The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.” As individuals, we've lost our agency: the ability to deal with stress and act as an agent for ourselves. Rao was a pediatric psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. He's been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Washington Times, New Yorker Magazine and the NY Times.

Kathryn interviews Editor NY Times Book Review Pamela Paul, author of “How to Raise a Reader.” Reading can be a source of stress for parents: “Which books should I read to my baby? Is my child reading soon enough, fast enough?” Paul answers these questions with practical tips, been-there wisdom and inspirational advice. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, Washington Post, NY Times Magazine, Time, NY Times EducationLife, Economist, Vogue and Psychology Today. Kathryn also interviews Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist Anthony Rao PhD, author of “The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.” As individuals, we've lost our agency: the ability to deal with stress and act as an agent for ourselves. Rao was a pediatric psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. He's been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Washington Times, New Yorker Magazine and the NY Times.

In our last couple +1s, we’ve had fun (at least I have!) briefly chatting about the first two steps Paul Napper and Anthony Rao encourage us to take in pursuit of cultivating our Agency such that life’s challenges are just nutritious treats fueling our hero’s journeys.   Step 1: Control Stimuli. Step 2: Selectively Associate.    Today we’re going to talk about Step 3: Move.   Here’s how Paul and Anthony put it: “Focusing on movement, and on the nutrition and rest necessary to keep you active and in balance, increases mental and physical strength and stamina–essential building blocks to all body and mind functions.”   Want a strong sense of personal power?   Well, as we discuss ALL.THE.TIME!!, you better ENERGIZE.    Let’s hear it from their perspective.    They tell us: “We all know what it feels like to sit around like a slug all day, not getting outdoors and moving about. But when we get some real movement in, it is a kind of agency in itself. It primes our minds and our senses to fully engage in the world.”   They continue: “When we say Move, we really mean this: Pay attention to your body so that you can provide it with what it requires to be healthy and in balance, because when your body is out of balance, your mind is out of balance. To achieve this, engage in physical movements in multiple ways, rest adequately, and eat nutritious food. Your agency depends on it. Without physical health and balance in your life, everything else will wobble and decline. Flexibility, strength, and stamina are the most obvious things that begin to deteriorate when you’re physically out of balance. But likewise, your motivation, your ability to pay attention, and your ability to delay gratification are adversely affected. Most important to realize, with unhealthy amounts of movement, rest, nutrition, your psychological state–your thinking skills and ability to manage your emotions– deteriorates, and along with it your personal agency.”   That’s Today’s +1.   What’s the one thing you know you could be doing that could most benefit your life if you did it consistently starting Today?   Got it?    Now forget it. (Hah.)   What’s one TINY (!!!) little thing you could do RIGHT NOW (!) that would be a fun way to demonstrate some mastery and build your agency?   Let’s do it.    Together.   (Mine? I’m going to take a nice, calming, deep breath in through my nose down into my belly. Then pause for a moment before smiling and exhaling back out through my nose—slightly longer than my inhale—as I relax my body and get ready to give the world some more of what I’ve got!)

In our last couple +1s, we’ve had fun (at least I have!) briefly chatting about the first two steps Paul Napper and Anthony Rao encourage us to take in pursuit of cultivating our Agency such that life’s challenges are just nutritious treats fueling our hero’s journeys.   Step 1: Control Stimuli. Step 2: Selectively Associate.    Today we’re going to talk about Step 3: Move.   Here’s how Paul and Anthony put it: “Focusing on movement, and on the nutrition and rest necessary to keep you active and in balance, increases mental and physical strength and stamina–essential building blocks to all body and mind functions.”   Want a strong sense of personal power?   Well, as we discuss ALL.THE.TIME!!, you better ENERGIZE.    Let’s hear it from their perspective.    They tell us: “We all know what it feels like to sit around like a slug all day, not getting outdoors and moving about. But when we get some real movement in, it is a kind of agency in itself. It primes our minds and our senses to fully engage in the world.”   They continue: “When we say Move, we really mean this: Pay attention to your body so that you can provide it with what it requires to be healthy and in balance, because when your body is out of balance, your mind is out of balance. To achieve this, engage in physical movements in multiple ways, rest adequately, and eat nutritious food. Your agency depends on it. Without physical health and balance in your life, everything else will wobble and decline. Flexibility, strength, and stamina are the most obvious things that begin to deteriorate when you’re physically out of balance. But likewise, your motivation, your ability to pay attention, and your ability to delay gratification are adversely affected. Most important to realize, with unhealthy amounts of movement, rest, nutrition, your psychological state–your thinking skills and ability to manage your emotions– deteriorates, and along with it your personal agency.”   That’s Today’s +1.   What’s the one thing you know you could be doing that could most benefit your life if you did it consistently starting Today?   Got it?    Now forget it. (Hah.)   What’s one TINY (!!!) little thing you could do RIGHT NOW (!) that would be a fun way to demonstrate some mastery and build your agency?   Let’s do it.    Together.   (Mine? I’m going to take a nice, calming, deep breath in through my nose down into my belly. Then pause for a moment before smiling and exhaling back out through my nose—slightly longer than my inhale—as I relax my body and get ready to give the world some more of what I’ve got!)

In our last little flurry of +1s, we had some fun with Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule.   Have you tried it out yet?   5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!!!   That might be THE most elegantly efficient Tool we’ve discussed to help close the gap between who we’re CAPABLE of being and who we’re ACTUALLY being. (Operationalizing Areté for the win!)    Now, one of the key themes of Mel’s book and reasons why that tool is so powerful is the fact that, in addition to getting us to take action RIGHT NOW on what matters most, her 5 Second Rule also builds something that scientists call “agency.”   (Mel actually doesn’t use the word “agency” to describe it; she focuses on a parallel idea called “locus of control.” We’ll save that idea for another time.)   Agency.    It’s a beautiful word. One of my favorites in fact. Science says it’s one of the secret sauces to Optimizing.   So, when I fortuitously stumbled upon a book called The Power of Agency on Amazon, I immediately got it and read it. It’s written by Paul Napper and Anthony Rao—two leading consultants and clinicians who have both held academic positions at Harvard Medical School.    In their great book, they define agency as “the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself—reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life.”    In the book, they provide practical, scientifically-grounded wisdom on, as per the sub-title: “The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.”    We’ll explore a few of the most powerful, practical Ideas on how to BUILD our agency over the next several days.   Today I just want to make the connection between DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE and cultivating a strong sense of personal power (aka agency).   Well…   That and I also want to have a little fun.   Imagine that you’re a Secret Agent.    (DoubleO-You perhaps. Short for OptimizingOptimusYOU, of course!)   You work for your Daimon.    What mission is he/she asking you to carry out?    Have you chosen to accept it?   What’s your next step?   Get on that!   This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds…   5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!

In our last little flurry of +1s, we had some fun with Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule.   Have you tried it out yet?   5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!!!   That might be THE most elegantly efficient Tool we’ve discussed to help close the gap between who we’re CAPABLE of being and who we’re ACTUALLY being. (Operationalizing Areté for the win!)    Now, one of the key themes of Mel’s book and reasons why that tool is so powerful is the fact that, in addition to getting us to take action RIGHT NOW on what matters most, her 5 Second Rule also builds something that scientists call “agency.”   (Mel actually doesn’t use the word “agency” to describe it; she focuses on a parallel idea called “locus of control.” We’ll save that idea for another time.)   Agency.    It’s a beautiful word. One of my favorites in fact. Science says it’s one of the secret sauces to Optimizing.   So, when I fortuitously stumbled upon a book called The Power of Agency on Amazon, I immediately got it and read it. It’s written by Paul Napper and Anthony Rao—two leading consultants and clinicians who have both held academic positions at Harvard Medical School.    In their great book, they define agency as “the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself—reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life.”    In the book, they provide practical, scientifically-grounded wisdom on, as per the sub-title: “The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.”    We’ll explore a few of the most powerful, practical Ideas on how to BUILD our agency over the next several days.   Today I just want to make the connection between DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE and cultivating a strong sense of personal power (aka agency).   Well…   That and I also want to have a little fun.   Imagine that you’re a Secret Agent.    (DoubleO-You perhaps. Short for OptimizingOptimusYOU, of course!)   You work for your Daimon.    What mission is he/she asking you to carry out?    Have you chosen to accept it?   What’s your next step?   Get on that!   This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds…   5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!

Kelly talks to performance psychology consultant Paul Napper and cognitive behavioral psychologist Anthony Rao about their new book “The Power of Agency.”

Paul Napper and Anthony Rao want people to take back control of their lives. They want people to recognize the power of agency. This week, they talk to Mike about their personal jumps and about how agency and jumping intersect. You can find out more about the book The Power of Agency here: PowerofAgency.com. You can also listen to Paul and Anthony on the "Better at Everything" podcast here: apple.co/2WD5MJw -- Buy the When To Jump paperback here: amzn.to/2VR0jPU For more great stories from Macmillan Podcasts, subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/mpnnewsletter.

Paul Napper and Anthony Rao, authors of The Power of Agency, know that we are living more distracted lives. In this episode, they gives you tips to take back your attention and your agency.  Learn more at PowerofAgency.com

Paul Napper and Anthony Rao, authors of The Power of Agency, saw a crisis of personal agency. On this season, they give you the tools you need to reclaim your power. Learn more at PowerofAgency.com