Podcasts about overwhelmed brain

In this minisode, Ali guides you on a mini mapping experience to explore your heart/sexuality split - or un-split!Using her method, Personal Geometry® (explored in Episode 31 with Lauren Gleason) in mere minutes you will gain insights into what your present stance is in relation to your romantic heart and your sexuality - in relation to anyone or anything that is currently an issue for you.Find out what your body knows about it!In minutes, you'll see-feel what could help you understand, and live, a more harmonious relationship between these essential aspects of being - whether in relationship to someone else and/or yourself.MORE ALI MEZEY:Website:  https://www.alimezey.comPersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundationsTo book a session, email Ali at ali@alimezey.com

NEXT COHORT STARTS TOMORROW February 8th - Jump In!Personal Geometry® is a somatic and spatial practice that taps into the body's innate, felt-sense understanding of spatial relationships. This work can do so much so quickly. It's an amazing way to get you, your clients, your partner, other participants, to see and feel the body-truth of things in minutes. We are excited to share Personal Geometry Foundations with you as a practitioner discover how you can best tailor it to the disciplines you are already, or will be, practicing. This non-verbal, embodied approach provides a clear and immediate visual and visceral representation of a person's inner world, making it an invaluable tool for therapists, facilitators, and anyone seeking profound transformation.  A seven-week online class - perfect for therapists, sexologists, coaches, and healing practitioners. Foundations is the prerequisite for advanced classes on Sexuality and Addiction, and individuals seeking personal healing are welcome too!  PERSONAL GEOMETRY TRAININGSJoin the Next Personal Geometry® Foundations Class  (online over Zoom)Now enrolling - click here for more details. Next cohort starts February 8th, 2025.Our audience gets $250 off - just mention the show when contacting Ali. MORE ALI MEZEY:Website:  https://www.alimezey.comPersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundationsTransgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

Are you feeling the overwhelm? I feel like a lot of us are! So how do we calm down an overwhelmed brain? A brain that feels jam-packed with too much to do, too many to-dos, and way to little time to do them in? Let's talk about it! For full show notes, head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachellyn.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and, of course, follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OR check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more! To register for the upcoming SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS masterclass, go ahead and click this link: https://www.coachellyn.com/masterclass Keywords overhwhelm, analysis paralysis, burnout, too much, not enough time, calm, stress relief Takeaways Things feel more "dealt with" when they're captured somewhere If your brain feels overwhelmed, it's because you have too many thoughts ping-ponging around in your head Utilize an Eisenhower Priority MAtrix to help prioritize Breaking items down REALLY small helps with overwhelm ---

Are you feeling the overwhelm? I feel like a lot of us are! So how do we calm down an overwhelmed brain? A brain that feels jam-packed with too much to do, too many to-dos, and way to little time to do them in? Let's talk about it! For full show notes, head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coachellyn.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and, of course, follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OR check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more! To register for the upcoming SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS masterclass, go ahead and click this link: https://www.coachellyn.com/masterclass Keywords overhwhelm, analysis paralysis, burnout, too much, not enough time, calm, stress relief Takeaways Things feel more "dealt with" when they're captured somewhere If your brain feels overwhelmed, it's because you have too many thoughts ping-ponging around in your head Utilize an Eisenhower Priority MAtrix to help prioritize Breaking items down REALLY small helps with overwhelm ---

Continuing on The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902). Does James' claim that science and culture shouldn't ignore the subjective point of view really mean that the religious objects that motivate people are metaphysically real? Is the "unseen realm" part of our common world? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsors: Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/partially. Check out The Overwhelmed Brain podcast at theoverwhelmedbraincom. Check out Mark's Big Books in Continental Philosophy fall class at partiallyexaminedlife.com/class. Learn about our new book at partiallyexaminedlife.com/book.

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer explores the psychology behind precommitments and how they can profoundly impact our lives. Step into a thought-provoking conversation about the tools that assist us in adhering to our goals, including innovative apps like Stickk and Forest. Melina discusses the art of balancing personal aspirations and professional interactions, sharing anecdotes and advice on commitment and accountability. Get insights into practical methods for setting realistic deadlines and implementing precommitment tactics that truly work. Anticipate an exciting look ahead to her upcoming TEDx talk as well. This episode isn't just about tips—it's an invitation to a deeper understanding of commitment psychology, paving the way for lasting change. Perfect for anyone looking to harness the power of their intentions, this episode promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. In this episode: Master the benefits of precommitment strategies to achieve your personal and professional goals effectively. Incorporate behavioral economics in your business for improved decision-making and success. Overcome cognitive dissonance in goal setting to enhance your self-discipline and productivity. Utilize time boxing to maximize your productivity and accomplish your tasks efficiently. Leverage loss aversion to boost your motivation and drive towards achieving your objectives. Show Notes: 00:00:00 Introduction Melina introduces the concept of precommitment and explains how it can make us more likely to follow through on our intentions, whether it's committing to ourselves or someone else. 00:03:52 - Overcoming Time Discounting Melina delves into the concept of time discounting and how we often make decisions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. Precommitment helps us overcome this bias and stick to our commitments. 00:09:35 - Cognitive Dissonance and Behavior Change Melina discusses cognitive dissonance and its role in behavior change. She emphasizes the importance of facing our past behavior and accepting it in order to make meaningful changes in our commitments and habits. 00:11:34 - Implementing Precommitment Tactics Melina provides practical strategies for implementing precommitment devices to keep commitments. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of behavior and finding precommitment tactics that align with our motivations and goals. 00:14:33 - Tools for Precommitment Melina highlights the Stickk app, crafted by behavioral economists to help users stick to their goals. She encourages listeners to explore tools and ideas that can support their precommitment tactics and help them achieve cognitive alignment. 00:15:03 - Making Commitments and Using Precommitment Devices Melina discusses the importance of making commitments and using precommitment devices to ensure sticking to them. She provides examples of setting up commitments and consequences to keep oneself motivated. 00:16:29 - Using the Forest App for Productivity Melina introduces the Forest app, which helps in increasing productivity by creating a virtual forest and using it as a visual representation of commitment. She explains how the app helps in staying focused and avoiding distractions. 00:18:16 - Making Precommitments in Business and Teams Melina emphasizes the importance of making precommitments in business and teams to ensure follow-through on commitments. She explains how setting up appointments and deadlines in the moment increases accountability and keeps everyone on track. 00:21:11 - The Loss Aversion Jar for Precommitment Melina introduces the concept of the loss aversion jar as a precommitment tactic. She explains how it works by setting goals, putting money in the jar for daily commitments, and losing all the funds if the commitment is not met. The jar serves as a visual reminder and motivator. 00:26:41 - Embracing Precommitment to Achieve Goals Melina encourages listeners to embrace precommitment to achieve their goals. She shares her own experience of using precommitment tactics and emphasizes the importance of focusing on one important goal at a time to see real progress. 00:29:37 - The Importance of Understanding Consumer Behavior Melina discusses the significance of understanding consumer behavior in marketing, emphasizing the impact of decision-making on purchasing behavior. 00:30:20 - Factors Influencing Consumer Choices Melina delves into the various factors that influence consumer choices, including cognitive biases, emotions, and social influences, highlighting the complexity of decision-making processes. 00:31:05 - The Role of Behavioral Economics in Marketing The conversation shifts to the role of behavioral economics in marketing, with Melina stressing the importance of leveraging behavioral insights to design effective marketing strategies and campaigns. 00:32:15 - Conclusion What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Selling Staircase, by Nikki Rausch Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood Timeboxing, by Marc Zao-Sanders Work Well, Play More, by Marcey Rader Top Recommended Next Episode: Aline Holzwarth Interview (ep 135) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Habits (ep 21) The Overwhelmed Brain and its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) How to Organize Your Brain with Behavioral Economics (ep 83) Nikki Rausch Interview (ep 96) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Don't Let Me Do That! – Models of Precommitment Precommitment Precommitment and Procrastination: Behavioral Tools for Students Forest App Stickk App

In this episode of The Brainy Business Podcast, Melina Palmer digs into the psychology of time pressure and its effects on decision-making. She explains how time pressure creates a sense of scarcity and triggers loss aversion in the brain, leading to impulsive choices, especially during holiday shopping. Melina shares strategies to combat this, like setting a budget and creating a gift list to resist impulse buying. She also delves into how businesses can use time pressure to drive sales but emphasizes the need to test different approaches.  Melina also touches on the impact of time pressure on creativity and productivity, highlighting the importance of clear communication to reduce misunderstandings and time pressure. Her advice is helpful for anyone looking to make informed decisions and resist impulse buying during holiday shopping. Plus, her insights on leveraging time pressure for business are equally valuable. So, if you want to understand the psychology of time pressure and how to navigate it, this episode is definitely worth a listen! In this episode: Discover the psychology of time pressure to understand its impact on decision-making. Explore the influence of time pressure on consumer behavior and decision-making processes. Learn effective strategies to resist impulse buying and make informed purchasing decisions. Uncover how to leverage time pressure in marketing to drive consumer engagement and action. Find ways to reduce time pressure for increased productivity and better decision-making. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction This episode introduces the topic of time pressure and its impact on consumer behavior and decision-making. Melina shares her personal experience of feeling time pressure while buying concert tickets. 00:03:35 - The Complexity of Decision-Making The subconscious brain makes the majority of our decisions due to its faster processing speed. However, considering every facet of a decision would be overwhelming. Time pressure can lead to less effective decision-making and reduce creativity. 00:07:41 - Time Pressure and Consumer Behavior Time pressure during the holidays can influence consumer behavior. Limited quantities, daily deals, and shopping cart clocks create a sense of urgency. Under time pressure, people are more likely to make impulsive purchases and choose familiar, expensive options. 00:09:52 - Shifting Decision-Making Under Time Pressure Time pressure can reverse how we evaluate choices. With plenty of time, we tend to be risk-averse and focus on the risks of making a choice. However, under time pressure, we become loss-averse and fear missing out (FOMO), leading to impulsive buying behavior. 00:10:43 - Tips for Managing Time Pressure To manage time pressure during holiday shopping, create a gift list with spending limits. Plan ahead and have a list of stores to visit or browse online. Having a plan helps resist impulsive purchases and stay within budget. 00:15:52 - Importance of Promotions and Offers Promotions and offers are beneficial for businesses as they help consumers make decisions. Time pressure can be incorporated through discounts or limited-time offers, creating a sense of urgency. Countdowns and limited quantities also drive action. 00:18:15 - Effect of Time Pressure on Consumer Behavior Time pressure impacts decision-making by shifting individuals from being risk averse to loss averse. The perception of limited time changes behavior and motivates action. People are more likely to act quickly when faced with the possibility of missing out on an opportunity. 00:20:25 - Black Friday Deals and Year-End Offers Small businesses should consider if participating in Black Friday or year-end offers is necessary or beneficial. While big retailers are expected to have such deals, small businesses might get lost in the clutter. It's important to be thoughtful and not feel pressured to offer discounts that may result in operating at a loss. 00:22:53 - Impact of Time Pressure on Decision-Making Time pressure causes individuals to focus on extremes and make decisions based on worst-case and best-case scenarios. This may lead to less creativity and accuracy in decision-making. Working with more time allows for better planning and higher-quality outcomes. 00:26:41 - Overcoming Mindset Blocks and Alleviating Time Pressure Constantly being under time pressure can hinder productivity and quality of work. Overcoming mindset blocks and planning effectively can alleviate time pressure and improve creativity and decision-making.  00:31:02 - Evaluating Time Pressure Taking time to evaluate the impact of time pressure and asking key questions can help make confident decisions and use time pressure to your advantage. 00:31:53 - The Effects of Time Pressure Time pressure can hinder creativity, openness to change, and solid work in businesses. Clear communication and reducing unnecessary tasks can help alleviate time pressure. 00:33:02 - Misunderstood Emails Misunderstood emails contribute to wasted time and decreased productivity. Improving email clarity and simplicity can help reduce time pressure. 00:33:39 - Tips to Reduce Time Pressure Implementing strategies like clearer communication, simpler answers, and reducing unnecessary tasks can save significant time for employees. 00:34:46 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Two Weeks Notice, by Amy Porterfield What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Power of Scarcity, by Mindy Weinstein Scarcity, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir  Top Recommended Next Episode: What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You launch (ep 225)  Already Heard That One? Try These:  The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 358) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Loss Aversion (ep 316) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Framing (ep 296) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) How to Set, Achieve & Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Scarcity (ep 270) What is Value? (ep 234) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Herding (ep 264) Mindy Weinstein Interview (ep 271) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) The Truth About Pricing (ep 356) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Judgment and Decision Making Under Time Pressure Decision Making Under Time Pressure: A Model for Information Systems Research This Is Your Brain ‘On Sale' Decisions under Time Pressure: How Time Constraint Affects Risky Decision Making Searching for a Better Deal: on the Influence of Group Decision Making, Time Pressure and Gender in a Search Experiment The Effects of Time Pressure and Completeness of Information on Decision Making

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll join host Melina Palmer as she dives into the fascinating world of behavioral economics and decision-making. With her expertise in the field, Melina explores the concept of Expect Error and how it plays a crucial role in understanding human behavior and designing effective nudges. By sharing personal experiences and real-life examples, she highlights the common errors we make in judgment and decision-making.  From post-completion errors to forgetfulness, Melina demonstrates how anticipating these errors can lead to improved decision-making and behavior. Throughout the episode, she provides valuable insights and practical strategies for businesses and individuals to leverage the power of nudges and choice architecture. So, if you're interested in enhancing your decision-making skills and understanding the psychology behind our choices, this episode of The Brainy Business is a must-listen. Get ready to gain valuable knowledge and unlock the secrets to better decision-making! In this episode, you will: Understand the impact of errors in decision-making to improve your choices. Harness the power of choice architecture to shape your decisions and outcomes. Discover effective nudges that can influence behavior and guide decision-making. Enhance the effectiveness of nudges by incorporating sensory cues. Create consistency in your routines and habits to optimize your decision-making process. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode, which focuses on the E in Nudges - Expect Error. She explains that humans make errors in judgment and decision-making all the time, and emphasizes the importance of designing interventions to support behavior. 00:03:32 - Importance of Expecting Error Melina discusses the importance of expecting errors in decision-making and how it is the reason why nudges and choice architecture exist. She highlights that humans are not perfect, unlike the fictitious species of econs in traditional economic models, and provides examples of errors we can expect in everyday life. 00:07:53 - Post-completion Error Melina explains the concept of post-completion error, where we mentally check off a task as done even if it is only partially completed. She shares her personal example of forgetting to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. Melina also mentions the importance of incorporating all the senses when designing nudges to prevent errors. 00:10:22 - Consistency and Medication Errors Melina discusses the importance of consistency in preventing errors, using the example of medication adherence. She explains how taking medication daily and at a consistent time can help reduce the likelihood of forgetting. Melina also mentions the use of placebo weeks in birth control pills and the recommendation to take weekly medication on Sundays. 00:15:22 - The Power of Strategic Foresight Strategic foresight allows businesses to anticipate and solve errors before they happen, creating a strong reputation for problem-solving and customer service. 00:16:44 - Empowering Employees to Make It Right Giving employees the authority to rectify mistakes on the spot, such as offering compensation or going above and beyond, creates a culture of exceptional customer service. 00:18:07 - Going Above and Beyond The Ritz Carlton is a prime example of a company that empowers its staff to do whatever it takes to make things right for customers, creating a sense of trust and loyalty. 00:20:36 - Anticipating Errors By understanding the busy and overwhelmed state of customers and staff, businesses can implement nudges to help prevent errors and alleviate stress. 00:23:34 - Adding Value to Processes By considering the needs and potential errors of customers and staff, businesses can enhance processes by adding helpful features, such as including batteries or recommended add-ons with products. 00:31:42 - Gmail's Nudge Feature Gmail's nudge feature helps users stay on top of their emails by putting important emails back at the top of the inbox after a few days of inactivity. This nudge includes a message in a different color text, like orange, that prompts the user to follow up on the email. 00:32:41 - Hot State and Cold State Understanding the concept of a hot state and a cold state is essential in behavioral economics. In a hot state, people are more likely to make impulsive decisions and struggle to stick to commitments they made in a cold state. Strategies like self-exclusion lists for gamblers and using Dysulfram for alcoholics can help individuals stay on track even when in a hot state. 00:34:14 - Precommitment and Save More Tomorrow Precommitment strategies, like the Save More Tomorrow program, can help individuals increase their commitment to certain behaviors. For example, asking individuals to commit a percentage of their future raises to go directly into their retirement savings has led to significant increases in contributions over time. 00:35:45 - Consistency and Staying Top of Mind Consistency is crucial in business to stay top of mind with customers. Drip campaigns and regular content updates, such as blogs, podcasts, and newsletters, help remind customers of their initial interest and keep the brand in their routine. 00:37:38 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Sludge, by Cass Sunstein What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Friction, by Roger Dooley  Top Recommended Next Episode: Give Feedback, the “G” in NUDGES (ep 40) Already Heard That One? Try These:  What problem are you solving? (ep 215) Structuring Complex Choices, the “S” in NUDGES (ep 41) Mixed Signals with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Humanizing Rules, with Christian Hunt (ep 311) Quit, with Annie Duke (ep 227) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Sludge (ep 179) Precommitment (ep 120) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Habits (ep 256) The Power of Habit (ep 22) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Optimism Bias (ep 34) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Reciprocity (ep 238) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Availability (ep 310) Questions or Answers (ep 4) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 358) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Optimism Bias (ep 34) Do Lead Magnets Work and Do You Need One? (ep 3) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter What a 5-Step Checklist from Johns Hopkins Can Teach You About Life and Business Silpat Macaron Baking Mat Be on time with the Procrastinator's Clock Clocky Save More Tomorrow™: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Employee Saving The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness Choice & Architecture The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Behavioral Economics Postgraduate Degree Programs

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you will hear Melina Palmer interview Adam Alter, author of the book Anatomy of a Breakthrough. Adam shares his personal experience of feeling stuck during his early college days, which led him to research and develop strategies for getting unstuck. The conversation covers the four sections of his book: Help, Heart, Head, and Habit, each focusing on different aspects of overcoming obstacles and making progress. They discuss the importance of slowing down, acknowledging emotions, and developing adaptive strategies. Adam also emphasizes the exploration-exploitation distinction and the significance of knowing when to say yes and when to say no. He highlights the benefits of facing fears, taking risks, and not being afraid to fail. In this episode, you will: Enhance decision-making skills for professional success and personal growth. Understand the impact of technology and screen time on productivity and well-being. Create a mindful and focused environment by cultivating analog practices. Experience the benefits of mindful living and screen-free periods for increased clarity and creativity. Overcome fear and achieve breakthroughs to unlock your full potential. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces Adam Alter and his background in behavioral science and decision-making. They discuss his previous books and his focus on understanding why we make predictable errors and how subtle cues in the environment influence our behavior. 00:02:24 - The Influence of Screens Adam shares his research on the effects of screen time on our well-being and the shift in public perception about technology. He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where we have periods of time without access to screens to improve our mental focus and overall quality of life. 00:06:03 - Cultivating Healthy Screen Habits Adam advises creating boundaries with screens, such as keeping phones in a different room during meals and before bed, to reduce the temptation to constantly check and use devices. He highlights the impact of physical proximity on our psychological experience and suggests analog solutions to digital problems. 00:09:30 - The Outsourcing of Experience Adam discusses how we have become reliant on devices such as watches and phones to capture and validate our experiences. He shares a personal anecdote about restarting a run because his watch didn't record it, highlighting our tendency to outsource the business of living to technology. 00:10:26 - The Illusion of Experience Adam explores the idea that if our devices don't capture an experience, it feels as though the experience didn't happen. He suggests that we need to be conscious of this reliance on technology. 00:13:52 - Introduction Adam discusses his new book on getting unstuck, sharing his own experiences and research on the topic. 00:15:16 - Section 1: Help Adam introduces the concept of demystification and explores the struggles and hardships faced by successful individuals like actress Brie Larson. 00:17:08 - Section 2: Heart The emotional component of being stuck is explored in this section, emphasizing the importance of dealing with emotions and coping with the discomfort of feeling stuck. 00:17:53 - Section 3: Head Adam delves into cognitive strategies for getting unstuck, including finding good ideas, conducting friction audits, and seeking support from others. 00:18:25 - Section 4: Habit The final section focuses on taking action to get unstuck, discussing the importance of actionable behaviors, and outlining how to determine the right actions to take. 00:19:22 - Allowing for Space and Being Stuck The conversation explores the idea of allowing oneself to be stuck and the importance of taking breaks and creating space for creativity and productivity. 00:23:10 - Consistency vs. Off Switch Adam challenges the notion that success requires constant consistency, highlighting the value of having an "off switch" and embracing downtime for rejuvenation and creativity. 00:27:33 - The Dunning Kruger Effect and Confidence Tanking Adam discusses the Dunning-Kruger effect, where people realize they don't know enough about something, and their confidence drops. They can choose to invest and work on it or give up completely. 00:28:09 - Exploration vs Exploitation Mindset Adam explains the exploration exploitation distinction. In exploration mode, one should say yes to opportunities to try new things and create a wide funnel of experiences. In exploitation mode, focus on one thing and say no to everything else to make progress. 00:29:54 - The Importance of Saying No Adam emphasizes the importance of saying no and not getting stuck on things that don't matter. Some people are good at saying no and it helps them prioritize what is truly important. 00:30:19 - Balancing Yes and No Mindsets Adam suggests a challenge where students say yes to everything for a month, followed by a period of saying no. It's important to explore and try new things but also to focus on what truly matters and make progress. 00:31:37 - Facing Fears and Overcoming Stuckness Adam shares the story of a woman who challenged herself to face her fears for 100 days. By confronting her fears, she learned that fear doesn't have to control her and got unstuck as a person. 00:40:45 - The Importance of Training Beyond the Goal Adam shares the example of golfer Phil Mickelson, who trains by playing multiple rounds of golf in a day instead of just 18 holes. By pushing himself to play more, Mickelson improves his concentration and makes 18 holes feel easier. Overtraining can be a useful method for training focus and concentration in any area. 00:42:43 - The Benefits and Challenges of Overtraining Overtraining can be extremely effective for improving focus and concentration, but it can also leave you depleted. The asymmetry in golf, where a lapse in concentration can result in a significant loss of strokes, makes overtraining particularly valuable. It's important to find a balance and consider the potential costs and benefits of overtraining in any context. 00:43:35 - Practicing Beyond the Goal Just focusing on the main goal can make it difficult to achieve. By practicing beyond the goal, such as using a weighted ball in soccer or adding weight to a baseball bat, you can develop the strength and skills needed to perform even better when faced with standard conditions.  00:44:56 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Adam: Adam's website  Twitter LinkedIn Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Anatomy of a Breakthrough, Adam Alter Irresistible, Adam Alter Influence if Your Superpower, Zoe Chance The Power of Saying No, Vanessa Patrick Friction, Roger Dooley Top Recommended Next Episode: Anchoring (ep Already Heard That One? Try These:  Roger Dooley Interview (ep 274) Framing (ep 296) Relativity (ep 12) Dunning Kruger Effect (ep 266) Habits (ep 256) What Problem Are You Solving? (ep 126) Paradox of Choice (ep 171) Overwhelmed Brain (ep 358) Nir Eyal Interview (ep 290) Zoe Chance Interview (ep 308) Vanessa Patrick Interview (ep 309) Questionstorming (ep 215) Set, Achieve, and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Imposter Syndrome (ep 306) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter 100 Days Without Fear

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear Melina Palmer interview Michael Schein, author of The Hype Handbook. This conversation delves into the power of hype in marketing and how to effectively capture attention and drive action. Michael shares his insights on the art of hype, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in making messages captivating and memorable. He explores the concept of certainty and how people are drawn to messages that offer it. The episode also discusses the significance of framing messages in impactful ways and highlights the power of simplicity in messaging.  This episode provides valuable insights for marketers and business professionals looking to enhance their communication skills and create more impactful marketing campaigns. Whether you want to understand the psychology behind effective hype or learn practical techniques for engaging your audience, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to create captivating and memorable marketing campaigns. In this episode, you will: Unleash the power of hype in your marketing to create buzz and excitement around your brand. Harness the art of storytelling to captivate your audience and make your message stick in their minds. Master the art of crafting certain messaging to build trust, credibility, and clarity in your brand communication. Learn how impactful framing can make all the difference in influencing your audience's perception and decision-making. Discover the power of simplicity in messaging to cut through the noise and ensure your marketing campaigns are memorable and effective. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the episode, celebrating the milestone of 350 episodes and over a million downloads of the show. She previews the topic of hype and introduces guest Michael. 00:02:26 - The Power of Hype Michael discusses how his company, Microfame Media, helps idea-driven businesses create hype. He emphasizes the importance of understanding mass psychology and using effective strategies and tactics to generate excitement and engagement. 00:05:15 - The Hype Handbook Michael shares his inspiration for writing his book, The Hype Handbook, which explores the principles and strategies used by propaganda artists, cult leaders, and other influential figures throughout history. He explains that these principles can be applied ethically to achieve desired outcomes. 00:07:34 - Principles over Tactics Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding psychological principles rather than relying solely on specific tactics or tools. He encourages businesses to focus on what drives human behavior and use that knowledge to create their own unique hype. 00:10:09 - The Perception of Hype Melina and Michael discuss the perception of hype and why some people may view it as sleazy or empty. They explore the origins of the term in the hip hop community and how hype has been embraced as a necessary strategy for success. 00:15:01 - Make War, Not Love The first strategy discussed is "Make War, Not Love," which is the foundation for all other strategies. The conversation explores the evolutionary basis of tribalism and how it influences our preferences and biases. 00:18:25 - Positioning Against an Idea The power of positioning yourself against a commonly accepted point of view in your industry is highlighted. By becoming the leader who challenges prevailing beliefs, you can attract like-minded individuals and build a new tribe around your ideas. 00:21:35 - Basecamp's Example The founders of Basecamp transformed their project management software into a crusade against overwork culture. By positioning their tool as a solution to the problem they were fighting against, they created a loyal following and achieved success. 00:23:45 - Authenticity and Packaging It is important to be authentic and genuinely believe in the stance you take. Cynical or surface-level attempts at packaging and branding are easily recognized. The conversation emphasizes the need to find a unique strength within your weaknesses to create a compelling persona. 00:25:49 - Uniqueness and Public Persona The discussion explores the concept of creating a public persona that is a heightened version of your true self. The key is to identify a strength buried within your weaknesses and use it to stand out in your industry. 00:29:49 - Embracing Authenticity Michael shares his journey of embracing his natural people-pleasing side and how it has helped him succeed. He highlights the power of being authentic and finding strength in who you are, rather than overcompensating for perceived weaknesses. 00:31:00 - Paradox of Confidence Michael discusses the paradox of confidence and how being confident means being confident in your natural state. He emphasizes the importance of embracing your true self and finding confidence in your own abilities, rather than trying to conform to someone else's expectations. 00:32:13 - Survivorship Bias Melina brings up the concept of survivorship bias and how it can distort our perception of success. Michael emphasizes the importance of questioning the advice and strategies of successful people, as they may be presenting a curated version of themselves for marketing purposes. 00:34:49 - Uncovering Marketing Tactics Michael delves into the strategies used by successful marketers and self-help gurus. He encourages listeners to analyze the tactics being employed to persuade them to buy products or follow advice, rather than blindly following the advice itself. He suggests creating a "swipe file" of marketing techniques instead. 00:38:07 - Making It Scientific Michael discusses the importance of using scientific language and authority to establish credibility in crowded fields. He explains how presenting ideas or services as backed by scientific research can make them appear more trustworthy and authoritative. He also highlights the use of heuristics in decision-making. 00:45:00 - The Hype Handbook and Simon Sinek Michael discusses how The Hype Handbook provides valuable insights on effective communication and the power of storytelling. He highlights Simon Sinek as a master of framing messages and using repetitive slogans to captivate audiences. 00:46:14 - The Impact of Framing and Certitude Michael emphasizes the impact of framing messages in a quotable and interesting way. He also discusses the heuristic that people often associate extreme certitude with knowledge and expertise. 00:49:13 - Connecting with Knowledge Seekers Michael shares his Hype Book Club, where he recommends books on various topics, including cult leaders and social psychology. He highlights the value of curiosity and diverse learning experiences. 00:50:54 - The Power of Storytelling and Tidbits Michael discusses the importance of weaving stories together to make a point and engage readers. He emphasizes the value of storytelling in helping people remember and apply what they've learned. 00:53:01 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Michael: Microfame Media Michael on Twitter Michael on LinkedIn Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Simply Put, Ben Guttmann The Hype Handbook, Michael Schein Rework, Jason Fried The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, Ryan Holiday Start with Why, Simon Sinek Top Recommended Next Episode: How to pitch your business Already Heard That One? Try These:  Social Proof (ep 87) Availability Bias (ep 310 Prince Ghuman Interview (344) Priscilla McKinney Interview (ep 196) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Negative Reviews (ep 163) The science of cool, with Troy Campbell (ep 169) David Paull (ep 289) Megaan Lurtz (ep 341) Herding: Come on and Listen… Everyone Else Is Doing It (ep 19) Framing: How You Say Things Matter More than What You're Saying (ep 16) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Survivorship Bias: Stop Missing What's Missing (ep 110) Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter “21 Psychology Podcasts Every Businessperson Should Listen To” Derek Sivers – “How to Start a Movement” (TED Talk) Simon Sinek – “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” (TED Talk) Simon Sinek – “Millennials in the Workplace”

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear an insightful conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest Ayelet Fishbach, a professor and researcher in behavioral science at the University of Chicago. The episode focuses on the topic of goal setting and motivation. Ayelet shares her expertise in understanding the psychology behind setting and achieving goals, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and finding joy in the journey.  She provides practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, reframing goals, and maintaining motivation over time. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their goal-setting skills and increase their chances of successfully achieving their goals. Ayelet's research-backed insights will inspire you to approach goal setting in a more thoughtful and effective way. So, if you're looking to enhance your motivation and achieve your goals, tune in to this episode. In this episode: Explore the science behind goal setting and motivation to uncover strategies for increased success. Overcome obstacles and anticipate temptations in order to stay focused on achieving your goals. Discover the importance of intrinsic motivation and how it can drive you towards sustainable success. Learn the power of reframing goals and shifting your focus to the process, rather than just the end result. Gain insights into planning for long-term goals and developing a more thoughtful approach to achieving them. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Episode Melina introduces the purpose of refreshing this episode and mentions the upcoming conversation with Vishal George, who references Ayelet's work. 00:02:04 - Setting Goals and Motivation Listeners are encouraged to think about their goals, especially related to money and financial stability. Melina teases the upcoming conversation with Ayelet Fishbach and encourages listeners to keep their goals in mind during the discussion. 00:02:53 - Interview with Ayelet Fishbach Ayelet Fishbach discusses her background in motivation science and goal setting. She explains how she became interested in studying motivation and self-control and discusses her early research on anticipating temptation. The importance of planning and thinking about obstacles is highlighted. 00:09:19 - Overcoming Fantasies and Intuition Ayelet emphasizes the importance of thinking beyond fantasies and focusing on potential obstacles. She discusses how fantasies are less effective than considering the challenges that may arise. The importance of questioning intuition and challenging common beliefs is also mentioned. 00:11:18 - Intuition and Counterintuitive Findings Ayelet discusses the importance of questioning intuition and presents examples of counterintuitive findings. She highlights the need to challenge common beliefs and assumptions, such as opposites attract or consistent reinforcement for behavior. 00:16:50 - The Power of Goals, The conversation begins by discussing the power of setting goals and the inspiration they provide. The example of Mount Everest is used to highlight the allure and intrinsic motivation behind achieving a specific goal. 00:19:33 - Choosing the Right Goal, The discussion emphasizes the importance of choosing the right goal, as not all goals are in our best interest. The example of climbers on Mount Everest who persist despite dangerous conditions is used to illustrate the potential pitfalls of misguided goals. 00:22:20 - Increasing Goal Adherence, The conversation addresses the issue of people giving up on their New Year's resolutions. The key factor in goal adherence is intrinsically motivating resolutions that provide immediate pleasure or growth. The importance of enjoying the path towards the goal is emphasized. 00:24:35 - Setting Pleasurable Goals, The discussion highlights the significance of setting goals that are pleasurable to pursue. Examples include enjoying healthier foods, finding fun ways to exercise, and creating rewarding work tasks. Emphasis is placed on the need to find pleasure in the process rather than solely focusing on the end result. 00:29:10 - Mistakes in Goal Setting, The conversation explores the common mistake of setting resolutions based on an idealized version of oneself. The concept of hyperbolic time discounting is mentioned as a factor that hinders long-term commitment. The speaker advises setting goals based on one's present self, acknowledging personal limitations, and planning accordingly. 00:34:52 - The Problem with Avoidance Goals, Avoidance goals, such as not being a couch potato or not eating junk food, are less likely to be successful because they bring to mind the very thing we are trying to avoid. Approach goals, on the other hand, like catching Pokemon, are more exciting and motivating. 00:36:10 - Why Avoidance Goals Don't Work, Avoidance goals may seem urgent in the short term, but they are not effective for long-term success. Instead of focusing on what not to do, it is more productive to think about what we should do. For example, setting a goal to have healthy snacks instead of avoiding junk food. 00:37:07 - Reframing Avoidance Goals, Reframing avoidance goals involves shifting the focus from what we should not do to what we should do. For example, instead of setting a goal to stop eating junk food, we can set a goal to eat healthy snacks. This reframing makes the goal more positive and motivating. 00:39:24 - Changing Perceptions of Healthy Food, Many people have a negative perception of healthy food, associating it with being tasteless. However, this perception can be changed by framing healthy food in a more positive and tasty way. When healthy food is seen as delicious, people are more likely to choose and enjoy it. 00:51:22 - Reaching Goals and Making Little Changes, Melina discusses the importance of regularly taking action towards goals instead of only focusing on the long term. Little changes and choices made today can have a significant impact in the future, such as planning for retirement. Being thoughtful and proactive is key. 00:52:03 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Ayelet: AYELET'S WEBSITE AYELET ON TWITTER AYELET ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Get It Done, by Ayelet Fishbach How To Change, by Katy Milkman The Power of Us, by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Top Recommended Next Episode: Have Your Best Year Ever, with Cassie Holmes and Ayelet Fishbach (ep 249) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Temptation Bundling (ep 250) Priming (ep 252) D.O.S.E. Brain Chemicals (ep 123) How To Change, with Katy Milkman (ep 151) The Power of Us with Dominic Packer (ep 304) Framing (ep 296) How to Set, Achieve & Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Good Habits, Bad Habits, with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Expect Error: The “E” in NUDGES (ep 39) Give Feedback: The “G” in NUDGES (ep 40) Resolutions and Keeping Commitments (ep 29) Time Discounting (ep 328) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) How to Get (and Stay) Motivated (ep 67) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Motivation and Incentives at Work, with Kurt Nelson (ep 187) Happier Hour, with Cassie Holmes (ep 257) Changing Health with the EATS Model (ep 217) 5 Years. 299 episodes. Here Are Your Favorites. (ep 299) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Texas A&M Self-Control Research Could Help You Stick With Your New Year's Resolutions University of Chicago, Chicago Booth School of Business Faculty Directory: Ayelet Fishbach

Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, shares valuable insights on improving communication skills in spontaneous situations on The Brainy Business podcast hosted by Melina Palmer. In this episode, Abrahams discusses key strategies from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, which focuses on helping individuals feel more comfortable and confident in impromptu speaking scenarios. Abrahams draws from personal experiences and observations to develop his methodology. He highlights the challenges individuals face in speaking spontaneously and emphasizes the importance of confidence and commitment when responding. Through anecdotes and practical tips, Abrahams shows how anyone can enhance their communication skills in impromptu situations. Throughout the episode, Abrahams discusses the significance of active listening, reframing situations as opportunities, and effective structure in communication. He encourages individuals to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and prioritize listening over speaking. Abrahams' book offers practical steps and exercises to help listeners practice and refine their communication skills. Professionals seeking to improve their spontaneous speaking and communication skills–from presentations to job interviews to networking events–will find this episode insightful and actionable. Abrahams' expertise and relatable anecdotes make it a valuable resource for individuals looking to enhance their speaking abilities in spontaneous situations. In this episode: Explore how proficient communication in unexpected situations can give you an edge. Learn how enhancing your active listening abilities can drastically improve the quality of your communication. Delve into the significance of preparing for spontaneous conversations. Master the art of using concise structures to drive powerful communication. Get a grip on actionable strategies for honing your communication skills in unplanned situations–from speaking on a stage to job interviews to networking events and more. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer welcomes Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. They discuss Matt's new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, which focuses on speaking effectively and confidently in spontaneous speaking situations. 00:03:10 - The Need for Spontaneous Speaking Skills, Matt explains how his personal experiences and feedback from students led to the development of his methodology for speaking confidently in the moment. He emphasizes the importance of spontaneous speaking skills in everyday communication. 00:05:23 - Overcoming Spontaneous Speaking Challenges, Melina shares her own experience of struggling with spontaneous speaking during a job interview. Matt tells a story about an unexpected question he faced during an interview and how he turned it into an opportunity to showcase his skills. The lesson is, even when you are caught off guard, to connect to something and commit to your response. 00:09:31 - Confidence and Commitment in Spontaneous Speaking, Melina highlights the importance of confidence in spontaneous speaking, as people can sense if you're not confident. Matt explains that committing to your response, even if it's unexpected, is crucial and draws parallels with the world of improvisation. 00:13:25 - Lessons from Improvisation, Matt discusses the influence of improvisation on his methodology and shares the principle of "failing big." He encourages speakers to commit fully to their responses and not be afraid of failure, as it can lead to unexpected successes. 00:15:24 - The Power of Getting Lost, Matt Abrahams discusses the importance of getting lost and embracing uncertainty in order to expand what's possible in spontaneous situations. He explains how striving for control and perfection can actually limit our potential, and how cognitive bandwidth affects our performance. 00:16:25 - Striving for Mediocrity, Abrahams encourages his students to strive for mediocrity in order to achieve greatness. By focusing on getting things done rather than judging and evaluating, individuals can have more resources to perform well. He emphasizes the need to embrace uncertainty and take risks. 00:17:43 - Allowing Yourself to Get Lost, Abrahams explains the importance of allowing oneself to get lost and try new things in order to broaden what's possible and stay focused in the present moment. While it can be challenging, embracing uncertainty can lead to rewarding outcomes. 00:18:42 - Overcoming the Fear of Average, Melina shares a personal anecdote about feeling overwhelmed by being graded on a curve in college. Matt highlights the concept that from average, greatness can emerge, and emphasizes the need to focus on personal growth rather than labeling ourselves with grades. 00:20:04 - The Six Steps to Better Communication, Abrahams outlines his six-step methodology for improving communication, which includes managing anxiety, getting out of our own way, reframing spontaneous speaking as an opportunity, emphasizing the importance of listening, using structure, and maintaining focus. 00:29:22 - The Value of Listening, Matt discusses the importance of listening in conversations and the benefits it brings to the listener. He explains that listening is a muscle that needs to be strengthened and that good listeners help speakers solve their problems instead of immediately jumping in with solutions. He also emphasizes the need for space, pace, and grace in listening. 00:30:58 - The Mindset of Listening, Matt Abrahams shares insights from an interview with a listening researcher, Guy Ichakov, who highlights the mindset of a good listener. He explains that a good listener's job is to help the speaker solve their problem, rather than trying to solve it themselves. Abrahams reflects on his own tendency to jump into problem-solving mode and actively works on adopting a listening mindset. 00:32:21 - The Power of Structures in Communication, Matt Abrahams discusses the importance of using structures or frameworks in communication to help organize and prioritize information. He introduces the "Swiss Army Knife" structure of three simple questions: What? So what? Now what? This structure helps in formulating clear and concise messages that are easy for the audience to understand. 00:35:51 - Preparing for Spontaneous Conversations, Matt Abrahams explains the irony of being able to prepare for spontaneous conversations. He compares it to jazz musicians following certain chords and patterns, or athletes training specific behaviors to respond spontaneously in a game. Abrahams emphasizes the value of frameworks and structures in preparation, using an example of three simple questions. 00:40:01 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Think Faster, Talk Smarter, by Matt Abrahams A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Influence, by Robert Cialdini Presuasion, by Robert Cialdini Connect with Matt:  Think Fast Talk Smart podcast Follow Matt on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode:  Focusing Illusion (episode 330) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Framing (ep 296) How to Pitch Your Business (ep 326) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Prefactual Thinking (episode 232) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Functional Fixedness (ep 194) What is Cognitive Semiotics? (ep 259) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Habits (ep 256) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In episode 325 of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Christian Madsbjerg, author of the book Look and an expert in human observation. Madsbjerg discusses the importance of observation in understanding human behavior and helping organizations make better decisions. He emphasizes that many companies make big mistakes by not asking the right questions and relying too heavily on data abstractions and groupthink. According to Madsbjerg, companies need to constantly study the questions that are most meaningful in their industry in order to stay relevant and successful. Christian highlights the necessity of observing and describing social phenomena before forming opinions and challenges individuals and companies to question their assumptions. Madsbjerg introduces the concept of hyper-reflection, which involves analyzing how people pay attention, to gain deeper insights into human behavior. The conversation provides valuable insights into the power of observation and description in understanding the world around us and making more informed decisions. In this episode: Recognize the critical importance of keen observation in comprehending complex human behavior. Learn about the pitfalls and misleading aspects of treating the human brain like a digital interface. Delve into the influence and impact of societal constructs on human behavior. Harness the capacity of hyper-reflection to delve deeper into your own thoughts and perceptions. Appreciate the added value of integrating observational techniques into scientific enquiry. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Christian Madsbjerg and his Background Melina introduces Christian Madsbjerg, the author of the book Look, and discusses his background in utilizing observation techniques to help organizations better understand human behavior. 00:02:45 - The Importance of Asking the Right Questions Asking the right questions makes a huge difference for companies. They discuss the dangers of jumping into problem-solving mode without fully understanding the problem. Christian explains how companies that fail to constantly study meaningful questions often struggle to adapt and remain successful in their industries. 00:07:49 - The Class on Human Observation Christian shares his experience creating and teaching a class on human observation at the New School in Manhattan. The class focused on using observation techniques inspired by philosophy and anthropology to study social phenomena. He explains that the book is a reflection of that class, allowing more people to learn about observation. 00:11:50 - The Journey of Observation and Curiosity Christian discusses his natural inclination towards observation and curiosity. He reflects on how studying philosophy and different historical perspectives helped him develop a deeper understanding of the assumptions we make about the world. He emphasizes the importance of observing without preconceived opinions and describes observation as a technique for scrutinizing our own assumptions. 00:14:49 - Perception and Intuition Christian challenges the misconception that humans perceive the world as atomistic data. He explains that humans perceive things holistically, seeing things as part of a larger social context rather than as individual data points. He highlights the importance of understanding the relationship 00:18:17 - The Danger of Comparing Computers to Human Brains, Comparing computers to human brains can lead to a misunderstanding of what it means to be human. Humans are not just intellectual beings; much of our experience and understanding comes from our bodies and the spaces we inhabit. 00:19:55 - The Problem with Having Strong Opinions, Having strong opinions about everything can create a filter between us and the world. It prevents us from seeing things objectively and directly, as we interpret everything through a political or opinionated lens. 00:21:54 - The Importance of Describing Social Phenomena, In order to better understand the world and the work we do, we need to study and describe the social phenomena at the center of our work. By understanding the context and dynamics of a situation, we can provide better advice and make more informed decisions. 00:25:30 - Case Study: Observing Fundraising Strategies, By observing people in the streets trying to raise funds for the white rhinos, a student learned valuable lessons about effective fundraising. He discovered that gentle and subtle approaches were much more successful than aggressive or shaming tactics. 00:30:44 - The Power of Hyper Reflection, Hyper-reflection is a type of attention that allows us to observe how others pay attention. By practicing hyper-reflection, we can better understand the dynamics and behaviors of people and organizations, leading to innovation and positive change. 00:35:36 - The Importance of Observation and Description, Christian discusses the importance of observing and describing social phenomena in order to gain insight and break down biases and prejudices. He emphasizes the value of feeling connected to the world and having a direct relationship with it. 00:37:35 - Building Trust and Observing Humans, Melina mentions how this work reminds her of an Apple Fitness' “Time To Walk” episode with Jane Goodall she recently listened to. Christian draws a parallel between Jane Goodall's observations of chimpanzees and his own observations of humans. He highlights the need to build trust with people in order to accurately describe and understand group dynamics and assumptions. 00:40:11 - Different Perspectives on the Same Phenomena, Christian recognizes that he and Melina approach the same phenomena from different angles, with behavioral science and cognitive science on one side and philosophical perspectives on the other. They agree on the importance of diverse methods and techniques in gaining insight. 00:42:33 - Observation in Science, Christian and Melina discuss the role of observation in scientific breakthroughs and paradigm shifts. They agree that observation is at the heart of good science and that scientists should incorporate more observation into their work. 00:44:50 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Look, by Christian Madsjberg Sensemaking, by Christian Madsjberg The Moment of Clarity, by Christian Madsjberg A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Connect with Christian:  Follow Christian on LinkedIn Christian's website Top Recommended Next Episode: How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Already Heard That One? Try These:  For The Culture, with Marcus Collins (ep 305) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) What Problem Are You Solving? (ep 126) Mental Accounting (ep 282) What is Cognitive Semiotics? (ep 259) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Habits (ep 256) Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain (ep 237) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Biases Toward Others – Including Groups (ep 314)  Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Functional Fixedness (ep 194) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Evolutionary Ideas, with Sam Tatam (ep 204) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Anthropology, Market Research and BE, with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Using Ethnography in Business (ep 324) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Marcey Rader, author of the book Work Well, Play More. They delve into the importance of habits in achieving efficiency and work-life balance. Marcey shares her personal journey of making small, manageable changes in her life and emphasizes the need to focus on the behaviors underlying productivity. She highlights the value of breaking down goals into smaller tasks and tracking progress to stay motivated. The conversation also covers strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and incorporating movement into daily routines. Whether you're a busy professional looking to enhance your productivity or seeking a better work-life balance, this episode offers actionable advice and inspiration. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Marcey's expertise and improve your efficiency and overall well-being. In this episode: Uncover the critical crossroads of health, productivity, and behavioral economics, providing an enriched understanding of personal and professional efficiency. Appreciate the transformational power of habits in attaining a meaningful work-life balance, preparing you for a balanced and fruitful lifestyle. Realize the necessity of establishing boundaries and prioritizing tasks, seeding the prevention of potential fatigue and burnout. Delve into the profound significance of immersing oneself in work and taking necessary breaks, instilling a refreshed sense of focus and vigor. Relate to Marcey Rader's personal journey, promoting an invaluable dimension of empathy and connection to her work. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces Marcey Rader, an author and health, productivity, and digital wellness expert. They discuss the importance of health in powering productivity and how habits and behavior change play a significant role in achieving work-life balance. 00:05:16 - Background and Journey, Marcey shares her journey from working in clinical research to becoming a productivity coach and speaker. She talks about how her own struggles with burnout and health issues inspired her to help others find a healthier and more efficient approach to work and life. 00:10:41 - Minimalism and Productivity, Marcey discusses how reading the book The Power of Less by Leo Babauta sparked her interest in minimalism and productivity. She shares how adopting minimalist principles and simplifying her life helped her improve her focus, efficiency, and work-life balance. 00:13:25 - Personal Experience and Empathy, Melina and Marcey emphasize the importance of personal experience and empathy when helping others make behavior changes. They discuss the value of relatability and understanding in guiding individuals towards healthier habits and a more productive lifestyle. 00:14:51 - Overcoming Overwhelm, Melina and Marcey address the feeling of overwhelm that many people experience when trying to make multiple behavior changes at once. They emphasize the importance of breaking changes down into smaller, manageable steps and starting with one area at a time for sustainable progress. 00:16:40 - Making Small Changes for Personal Growth, Marcey Rader shares her method of making personal and behavioral changes by breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks. She shares her experience of creating a list of 100 things she wanted to change about herself and how she tracked her progress by checking off each task every day. (And, yes, acknowledges this approach may not be for everyone.) 00:19:20 - The Importance of Small Wins, Marcey emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins and finding quick wins to build momentum. She shares her personal journey of gradually increasing her vegetable intake and how she started with just one serving a day and gradually worked her way up to five or six servings. 00:23:17 - Work Well, Play More Book Overview, Marcey discusses her book, Work Well, Play More, which covers topics of productivity, clutter, and health. The book is divided into twelve months, and each month focuses on a different area with novice, pro, and master levels. It can be used as a guide for making changes at your own pace and choosing your own adventure. 00:28:03 - Tackling Decluttering in Different Areas, Marcey explains how her book caters to different levels of expertise in each area. She shares examples of decluttering tips, such as cleaning up contacts in your phone, and how she personally used the process of decluttering contacts to reconnect with people during the COVID-19 pandemic. 00:30:10 - Top Tips from the Book, Marcey shares a top tip from each section of the book: productivity, health, and clutter. 00:34:59 - Being Flexible with Dietary Restrictions, Marcey shares her experience of being gluten-free for digestive reasons but not wanting to restrict her diet too much. She emphasizes the importance of looking for flexibility and balance in everything, including one's dietary choices. 00:35:36 - Breaking Habits and the Two-Minute Rule, Melina and Marcey discuss the challenge of breaking habits. Marcey shares about OHIO and Melina introduces the concept of the two-minute rule. They explain how tackling small tasks immediately can lead to a significant impact on productivity and organization. 00:37:15 - Organizing Information for the Book, Marcey shares her process of organizing the information for her book by using sticky notes and categorizing them by topic. She explains how this method helped her create a cohesive journey for her readers. 00:42:02 - Working with Companies, Marcey explains her approach when working with companies, which includes assessing their email behaviors, communication, time management, and meeting effectiveness. She also shares an example of implementing "design days" to promote deep focus and productivity within a company. 00:46:58 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Work Well, Play More, by Marcey Rader Subtract, by Leidy Klotz The Power of Less, by Leo Babauta Essentialism, by Greg McKeown Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood Connect with Marcey:  Follow Marcey on LinkedIn Follow RaderCo on YouTube RaderCo website Top Recommended Next Episode: Habits (ep 256) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Loss Aversion (ep 316) Good Habits, Bad Habits with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Framing (ep 296) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Reciprocity (ep 238) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Priming (ep 252) Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain (ep 237) Subtract, with Leidy Klotz (ep 322) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Bikeshedding (ep 99) How To Change, with Katy Milkman (ep 151) How To Set, Achieve and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Bikeshedding (ep 99) Planning Fallacy (ep 114) Get Ready for Act Two, with Kate Gigax (ep 321) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Marcey's Powered Path Playbook Health Powered Productivity podcast

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, guest Leidy Klotz shares his research on the psychology of subtraction and its importance in decision-making and problem-solving. Klotz discusses how our natural instinct is to add rather than subtract when trying to improve a situation, and he provides insights into why this is the case. He explains that humans have a desire to display competence, and adding to a situation is a visible way to demonstrate that we can deal with the world effectively. However, Klotz argues that we can also display competence through subtracting, but it may require more effort to make it noticeable. He shares studies conducted with LEGO structures, itineraries, recipes, and computer grids, which consistently showed that people overwhelmingly choose to add rather than subtract. The episode explores concepts such as loss aversion and the IKEA effect, which contribute to our preference for adding. The conversation also touches on the concepts of minimalism and essentialism, and how subtracting can be a powerful tool for displaying competence and achieving goals effectively. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the psychological biases that hinder effective decision-making and problem-solving, and learn practical strategies to prioritize and achieve what truly matters.  In this episode: Discover the pivotal role subtraction plays in effective decision-making and problem-solving. Learn how our instinctive preference for addition can obstruct optimal solutions. Grasp how to confront biases and initiate shifts towards a subtractive mindset. Understand the immense benefits of streamlining and eliminating needless aspects of daily life. Acquire empowering strategies for integrating subtraction practices into your everyday living. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the episode and its focus on the power of subtraction with Dr. Leidy Klotz. She emphasizes the importance of optimization, reduction, and efficiency in various areas of life. 00:03:20 - Dr. Leidy Klotz's Background, Dr. Klotz shares his background in engineering and how his interest in sustainability led him to behavioral science. He highlights the overlap between engineering, architecture, and behavioral science in terms of creative application and design. 00:08:56 - Uncommon Paths to Behavioral Science, The conversation explores the diverse backgrounds of behavioral scientists, including Dr. Klotz's experience as a professional soccer player. They discuss how different disciplines, like marketing and sports, can contribute to the field of behavioral science. 00:11:50 - Personal Backgrounds and Professional Work, Melina and Dr. Klotz discuss how personal backgrounds, such as being an opera singer or playing basketball, can shape a person's approach to problem-solving. They highlight the value of diverse experiences in the field of behavioral science. 00:13:35 - Introduction to Subtract, Dr. Klotz introduces his book, Subtract, and explains how it explores the concept of subtraction as a means of optimization. He discusses the relationship between design, sustainability, and the creative application of behavioral science principles. 00:15:26 - The Instinct to Add, Leidy discusses how our first instinct when trying to improve something is to add, rather than subtract. This instinct is seen across various contexts, including LEGO structures and itineraries. The guest also mentions a study where people were given a task to make quadrants symmetrical and found that people overwhelmingly added blocks instead of removing them. 00:17:27 - Overlooking Subtraction, The guest explains that our tendency to overlook subtraction is due to various factors such as loss aversion, the endowment effect, and the IKEA effect. The book explores these factors and delves into the biological, cultural, and economic forces that contribute to our preference for adding. 00:18:47 - Science-Informed Strategies, Leidy discusses the latter half of the book, which focuses on utilizing science-informed strategies to get better at subtraction. By understanding the science behind our inclination to add, we can develop strategies to improve our ability to subtract. Leidy emphasizes the importance of creating a list of "stop doings" instead of solely focusing on a long list of to-dos. 00:21:06 - Minimalism and Essentialism, Leidy notes the connection between the book's concept of subtraction and minimalism and essentialism. He and Melina highlight the value of decluttering and getting rid of excess in order to display competence. Leidy also mentions the satisfaction that comes from having a focused to-do list with achievable tasks. 00:30:08 - The Importance of Subtraction, The conversation begins with the idea that subtraction is often overlooked in our society, and how we need to shift our mindset to value subtraction as much as addition. The guest, Leidy Klotz, mentions historical figures like Da Vinci and Lao Tzu who understood the importance of subtraction for design perfection and gaining wisdom. 00:31:01 - Subtraction as a Valuable Skill, Klotz discusses how his book aims to help people understand the science and stories behind subtraction, and encourages readers to adapt the principles to their own lives. He emphasizes the importance of subtracting first and how it can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. 00:32:48 - Overcoming Challenges with Subtraction, Klotz addresses the challenges people face when considering subtraction, such as loss aversion and the fear of regret or guilt. He suggests mindset shifts, such as reframing subtraction as a positive improvement and emphasizing the benefits of subtracting. He also highlights the role of valence in perception and the value of thinking of add and subtract as complementary approaches. 00:35:53 - Add and Subtract, Klotz discusses the misconception that add and subtract are opposites and explains how they can coexist as complementary ways to make change. He encourages people to consider both options and think about the potential gains and losses associated with each. This mindset shift can lead to more effective decision-making and problem-solving. 00:44:27 - Introduction to the Book Work Well, Play More, Melina introduces the book Work Well, Play More by Marcey Rader, which builds upon the concepts of productivity and distraction introduced in "Indistractable." The book focuses on three areas: productivity, clutter, and health, providing a twelve-month approach to improve each area and reclaim time and mental well-being. 00:45:02 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Subtract, by Leidy Klotz The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo Essentialism, by Greg McKeown How to Change, by Katy Milkman Work Well, Play More, by Marcey Rader Connect with Leidy:  Leidy on LinkedIn Leidy on Twitter Leidy's website Top Recommended Next Episode: Quit, with Annie Duke (ep 227) Already Heard That One? Try These:  NUDGES and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Endowment Effect (ep 139) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) How To Change, with Katy Milkman (ep 151) The Elements of Choice, with Eric Johnson (ep 174) Functional Fixedness (ep 194) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Evolutionary Ideas, with Sam Tatam (ep 204) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Bikeshedding (ep 99) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) IKEA Effect (ep 112) Loss Aversion (ep 316) Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Leidy at the University of Virginia

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Kate Gigax, founder of Development Corps, to discuss the transition from “Act One” to “Act Two” in one's career and life. The conversation focuses on being confident in expressing what you want and the value you bring. Kate emphasizes the importance of finding time for oneself and engaging in self-reflection. She encourages listeners to break up their schedules and find small pockets of time for rejuvenation and self-discovery. Through personal examples, she demonstrates how taking risks and pursuing what feels out of the ordinary can lead to greater success and fulfillment. The episode challenges the misconception that transitioning to Act Two always means becoming an entrepreneur. Kate and Melina highlight that there are various paths to finding fulfillment and creating change, whether it's within existing structures or through entrepreneurship. They emphasize the need for self-worth and believing in one's capabilities beyond societal expectations.  Listeners of this episode will gain practical advice on navigating transitions, finding personal fulfillment, and becoming confident in expressing their value. By embracing self-reflection, taking risks, and designing their own path, individuals can create a more meaningful Act Two in their careers and lives.  In this episode: Discover the art of embracing Act Two in your professional and personal life for renewed achievement. Learn why introspection and ‘me-time' are essential for your mental health and holistic success. Unearth the thrill and potential benefits of venturing into uncharted, even taboo, territories. Grasp the courage to voice your needs and showcase your worth confidently. Explore ways to find fulfillment that extend beyond starting your own business and learn why variety is important. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer welcomes Kate Gigax to The Brainy Business podcast and introduces her as a leadership coach and facilitator with expertise in organizational psychology and neuroscience. 00:03:23 - Connection to Arizona State University, Kate discusses her connection to Arizona State University and her work with Robert Cialdini, Steve Neuberg, Doug Kenrick and Dave Lundberg-Kenrick on the Psych for Life initiative, which aims to make peer-reviewed psychological research more accessible. 00:07:42 - Psychological Contracts, Kate explains her research on psychological contracts, which are the expectations and perceptions individuals have about their relationship with their organization. She discusses the impact of breaches in these contracts and the importance of effective communication in managing change. 00:11:25 - Managing Change and Preserving Relationships, Kate emphasizes the role of managers and supervisors in preserving relationships and managing change effectively. She highlights the importance of open communication, empathy, and acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. 00:14:40 - Leadership Development and Coaching, Kate discusses her work as an executive coach and her focus on helping high-achieving individuals navigate their careers and define their own success. She emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts and rewiring old thinking habits for achieving success and fulfillment. 00:16:10 - Importance of Difficult Conversations, Melina and Kate discuss the significance of having difficult conversations in the workplace and how they contribute to building trust and maintaining a high relational psychological contract. They emphasize the need for clear communication, transparency, and addressing challenging topics in order to foster a positive work culture. 00:17:53 - Recommended Resources on Difficult Conversations, Melina suggests listening to Kwame Christian's podcast, Negotiate Anything, and watching his Ted Talk on difficult conversations. They also mention Stephen M.R. Covey's episode on The Speed of Trust and Scott Miller's book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, which provides valuable insights on setting boundaries. 00:19:08 - The Implicit Parts of Culture, Kate highlights the importance of being intentional about addressing the implicit parts of organizational culture. They discuss how implicit cultural norms around conflict and boundaries can impact relationships and collaboration. They encourage leaders to be transparent and deliberate in fostering a positive work culture. 00:23:39 - Repairing Breached Contracts, The guest advises leaders to have difficult conversations to repair breaches in the psychological contract. They emphasize the need for consistency, action, and acknowledging fault. They also discuss the importance of helping employees feel valued and recognized, as this contributes to repairing relationships and maintaining trust. 00:26:35 - The Power of Recognition and Specific Feedback, Kate emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating employees' contributions in a specific and meaningful way. She shares the SBI model and why it is one of her go-to recommendations for people to use. 00:30:18 - The Desire for Simpler Jobs, Many people daydream about having simpler jobs that are less stressful, but in reality, these jobs may not provide the fulfillment and satisfaction they think they want. High achievers often find ways to excel in any role and end up back where they started. 00:31:34 - Act Two: Middle Career, Act Two occurs in middle career when individuals go through a transition period. This often happens due to a breakdown, such as burnout or a wake-up call. Act Two is about designing a life based on personal wants and needs, rather than striving for success. 00:37:25 - Starting Act Two, Starting Act Two can be overwhelming, especially for those who have been focused on others and their careers. Starting small by identifying personal wants and needs is crucial. Developing reflective practices, clarifying values, and recognizing strengths are key steps in the transition to Act Two. 00:39:37 - The Importance of Values, Knowing one's values is essential in Act Two. Values act as guideposts for decision-making and help individuals align their actions with what truly matters to them. Values can also provide clarity when facing difficulties or making important life and career choices. 00:42:43 - Doubling Down on Strengths, Act Two is about betting on oneself and building a career around personal values and strengths. Utility players in Act One, who try to be everything for everyone, must shift their focus to double down on their unique abilities and become 00:44:26 - The Importance of Finding Time, Kate and Melina discuss the importance of finding time for oneself. Melina shares insights from Cassie Holmes' book, Happier Hour, that people are happiest when the have between two and five hours of discretionary time during the day. She shares about the need to break up the 2-hour time commitment into manageable chunks. 00:46:09 - Embracing the "Wouldn't It Be Cool If" Mindset, Kate introduces the concept of the "Wouldn't it be cool if" mindset and encourages listeners to explore their own version of what they would love to do, regardless of feasibility. 00:47:55 - Challenging Limiting Beliefs, Act Two is about challenging the belief that certain goals are impossible and pushing beyond your comfort zone to achieve even greater success. Kate encourages listeners to design their own path instead of playing within someone else's design. 00:51:44 - Selling Your Value, Kate emphasizes the importance of selling your ideas and passions with confidence to attract the right people and opportunities. It's about claiming your worth and showing the value you bring to the table. 00:54:09 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Finding Confidence in Conflict, by Kwame Christian The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, by Scott Miller Happier Hour, by Cassie Holmes Connect with Kate:  Follow Kate on LinkedIn Follow Kate on Instagram Development Corps website Top Recommended Next Episode: Happier Hour, with Cassie Holmes (ep 257) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 296) Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Habits (ep 256) Reciprocity (ep 238) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) How To Have Difficult Conversations at Work, with Kwame Christian (ep 107) Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, with Scott Miller (ep 307) The Speed of Trust, with Stephen M.R. Covey (ep 320) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 312) Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain (ep 237) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

This episode of The Brainy Business podcast features an insightful interview with Stephen M. R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust. Covey shares his expertise on building trust through transparency and authenticity, drawing from his personal experience within Franklin Covey. He explains how trust serves as the foundation for effective relationships and collaboration within teams. Covey dives into the quantifiable value of trust, showcasing its impact on speed and cost. He shares two compelling examples to illustrate the economic benefits of trust, including the power of referrals and Warren Buffett's surprisingly successful acquisition deal. Throughout the conversation, Covey emphasizes the need for discernment in extending trust and the importance of creating a high trust culture. The episode provides practical insights and actionable strategies for leaders and managers to nurture trust within their organizations. By listening to this episode, business leaders can gain a deeper understanding of the economic and psychological benefits of trust and learn strategies to foster trust within their teams for increased productivity and success. In this episode: Realize the significant role trust plays in enhancing teamwork, productivity, and collaboration. Uncover the transformative power of transparency and authenticity within organizations, through the personal experiences of Stephen M. R. Covey. Appreciate the crucial interplay between trust and successful change management during periods of organizational transitions. Discover the foundational role of trust in boosting both speed and cost efficiency in business operations and its impact on economic outcomes. Identify the balance and discernment imperative in extending trust, a concept encapsulated as 'Smart Trust.'  Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode and welcomes Stephen M.R. Covey, the son of Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. They discuss Stephen's family legacy and how he has built upon his father's work with a focus on trust. 00:02:18 - The Importance of Trust, Stephen explains the concept of trust and how it impacts relationships and organizations. He shares a personal story about the Franklin Covey merger and the importance of transparency and authenticity in building trust. 00:06:11 - Trust and the Covey Legacy, Stephen discusses how his family legacy and the reputation of his father have influenced the level of trust people have in him. He emphasizes the importance of backing up trust with skills and research. 00:08:37 - The Gift of Transparency, Stephen shares a story about a meeting he had with the Franklin Covey employees after the merger. By being open, transparent, and addressing their concerns, he was able to build trust and create a stronger team. 00:13:13 - Calming the Elephant, Melina relates Stephen's story to the concept of “calming the elephant,” referring to addressing the underlying concerns and fears that people have during times of change. She shares an example of how taking the time to listen to an employee's personal stress helped improve their productivity. 00:14:44 - The Economics of Trust, Stephen discusses the economic impact of trust in organizations, and explains how his formulas for the economics of trust work. 00:15:20 - The Power of Understanding, Understanding others increases influence and builds trust, leading to better teamwork and improved outcomes. 00:17:15 - The Economics of Trust, Trust affects speed and cost in any relationship or environment. When trust decreases, speed decreases and cost increases. Conversely, when trust increases, speed increases and cost decreases. 00:20:33 - Examples of Trust in Action, Trust is a vital factor in word-of-mouth referrals, where trust leads to faster and less costly acquisitions. Stephen shares an example from Warren Buffett's handshake deal, which was completed quickly and without the traditional due diligence process due to high trust. 00:25:44 - The Cost of Distrust, Distrust leads to longer processes and higher costs, as seen in increased airport security measures and compliance rules after corporate scandals. The cost of distrust is real, while the dividends of high trust can be monetized. 00:28:22 - Balancing Trust and Caution, It is possible to be both too trusting and too suspicious. Finding the balance of smart trust involves being aware of potential risks while also recognizing the costs of not trusting enough and stifling creativity and innovation. 00:31:05 - The Importance of Smart Trust, Stephen Covey discusses the concept of smart trust, which involves assessing the likelihood, cost, and consequences of extending trust to someone. He emphasizes the importance of credibility and judgment in determining how much trust to give and acknowledges that blindly trusting someone who has proven to be untrustworthy is not wise. 00:32:33 - Building Trust and Overcoming Fear, Covey explains that extending trust can lead to great outcomes and results, as most people respond well to being trusted. He encourages leaders to focus on the 95% of trustworthy individuals and not let the 5% of untrustworthy people define their approach. Covey suggests using judgment and assessing the risk before trusting someone, but also highlights the importance of not being overly cautious and missing out on possibilities. 00:36:04 - The Power of High Trust Cultures, Covey discusses how high trust cultures can be more effective and accountable than rules-based cultures. He explains that when trust is present, people hold each other accountable and the culture itself becomes a reinforcer of trust. Covey emphasizes the need for organizations to design for the majority of trustworthy individuals rather than focusing on the few untrustworthy individuals. 00:37:29 - One More Behavior: Practicing Accountability, Covey introduces the behavior of practicing accountability, which involves creating agreements and expectations with individuals and allowing them to take responsibility for evaluating their own performance. He believes that involving people in the accountability process can build trust and lead to greater commitment and engagement. 00:46:15 - The Power of Trust, Trust is the most inspiring form of human motivation and brings out the best in people. 00:46:30 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey Indistractable, by Nir Eyal Connect with Stephen:  Speed of Trust Website Stephen on Twitter Stephen on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Framing (ep 296) Endowment Effect (ep 139) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Friction with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Social Proof (ep 87) Habits (ep 256) Reciprocity (ep 238) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Biases Toward Others – Including Groups (ep 314)  Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) IKEA Effect (ep 112) How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Angel Chernoff of Marc and Angel shares 7 critical truths we forget all too soon Episode 2823: 7 Critical Truths We Forget All Too Soon by Angel Chernoff on Getting Rid of The Overwhelmed Brain Marc and Angel Chernoff are professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, book, course and coaching, they've spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love and peace. The site has attracted over 100 million page views and 100 thousand subscribers since its inception in 2006. Their first book, “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently“ is a focused collection of short, concise tips and reflections on the little things that make a huge difference in our daily lives. It's available online at: marcandangel.com/book and on Amazon. The original post is located here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2013/02/27/7-critical-truths-we-forget-all-too-soon/   Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Chernoff of Marc and Angel shares 7 critical truths we forget all too soon Episode 2823: 7 Critical Truths We Forget All Too Soon by Angel Chernoff on Getting Rid of The Overwhelmed Brain Marc and Angel Chernoff are professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, book, course and coaching, they've spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love and peace. The site has attracted over 100 million page views and 100 thousand subscribers since its inception in 2006. Their first book, “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently“ is a focused collection of short, concise tips and reflections on the little things that make a huge difference in our daily lives. It's available online at: marcandangel.com/book and on Amazon. The original post is located here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2013/02/27/7-critical-truths-we-forget-all-too-soon/   Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Chernoff of Marc and Angel shares 7 critical truths we forget all too soon Episode 2823: 7 Critical Truths We Forget All Too Soon by Angel Chernoff on Getting Rid of The Overwhelmed Brain Marc and Angel Chernoff are professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, book, course and coaching, they've spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love and peace. The site has attracted over 100 million page views and 100 thousand subscribers since its inception in 2006. Their first book, “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently“ is a focused collection of short, concise tips and reflections on the little things that make a huge difference in our daily lives. It's available online at: marcandangel.com/book and on Amazon. The original post is located here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2013/02/27/7-critical-truths-we-forget-all-too-soon/   Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com  Interested in advertising on the show? Visit https://www.advertisecast.com/OptimalLivingDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emotional Abuse   If you come from a dysfunctional upbringing, have failed relationships, and struggle with boundaries, codependence and/or people pleasing.. you'll want to tune in to this episode, my friend. We're going to cover all the bases of toxic traits in relationships, emotional abuse, selfishness, and everything in between. And you may be surprised by a few details I share about myself. My guest today is a true Coach. And I say that because he is in the trenches, doing the real life-changing, emotional and difficult work not only with his clients, but he's doing the work for himself. He's a regular guy who loves playing guitar, being out in nature, and he went through some major life-changing events, had a breakdown in the desert thousands of miles from home, and that breakdown led him to his breakthrough. He started his own journey of healing and that led him to be the Behavior & Relationship Coach he is today, and he hosts 2 successful podcasts, The Overwhelmed Brain, and the Love and Abuse Podcast. We are going deep in relationship issues and the nuances we all struggle with every day. If you want some super valuable insights into those toxic traits that make you crazy, it's all in this conversation with Paul. And, I have to tell you, this is one of my favorite episodes of Addiction Unlimited.   Links mentioned in this episode:  The Overwhelmed Brain Podcast:  theoverwhelmedbrain.com Book A Call With Angela: addictionunlimited.com/call Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Angela & Addiction Unlimited Podcast.”

In the context of choice architecture, mapping involves organizing options to make them easily comprehensible and help customers make better decisions. By presenting choices in a simple and quick-to-understand manner, customers can avoid getting overwhelmed and make choices they are confident about. It is important, however, to carefully consider how options are presented, as offering too many choices can lead to confusion and regret.  For the best results, businesses should strive to make options easy to compare and understand. Melina Palmer explains that mapping is a critical part of structuring complex choices, the "U" and "S" in NUDGES, and can be used to make customer decision-making more accessible and efficient. Proper mapping can result in better outcomes for both the customer and the business. Palmer highlights examples from several industries, including ice cream, hospital treatments, megapixel cameras and product guarantees, to illustrate how mapping concepts can be utilized to guide customers towards the best choice while maintaining their freedom to choose. Understand the role of mapping in choice architecture for superior customer selections. Convert complex choices into approachable, meaningful opportunities. Help people get from where they are to where they want to be in the easiest way possible. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the topic of the episode, which is the “U” in NUDGES: understanding mapping. She explains that the concept of mapping is important in choice architecture and nudging, which are foundational in behavioral economics. 00:04:03 - What is Mapping?, Mapping refers to the relation between choice and welfare. The example given by Thaler and Sunstein in Nudge is choosing a flavor of ice cream versus choosing a medical treatment. The mapping for choosing ice cream is relatively easy, while the mapping for choosing a medical treatment is much more complex and difficult. 00:07:07 - Five-Step Process to Understanding Mapping, Melina's five-step process to understanding mapping includes: 1) encourage thoughtful review and open-mindedness, 2) break down the options, 3) make it relatable, 4) help them to get there, and 5) call to action. This process is essential in building the map and guiding the customer to the right recommendation. 00:10:22 - Encouraging Thoughtful Review, It's important to understand the biases and mental state of the customer or patient in making big decisions. The best choice architect will encourage thoughtful review and open-mindedness, especially in highly emotional situations. 00:12:08 - Breaking it Down and Making it Relatable, The second and third steps in the five-step process are breaking down the options and making it relatable. This means anticipating the questions and needs of the customer and presenting relatable information in their language. In the example of buying a camera, the mapping will be different for each type of customer and their needs. 00:16:34 - Mapping in a nutshell, Every choice can be broken down into a simple rule of thumb to use. Sticking with the camera example, megapixels are confusing. Saying it can be “billboard” or “poster size” or “web only” means something that can help someone make an informed decision. 00:19:54 - Air Conditioning Mapping Example, To map the seemingly simple choice of buying air conditioning, let's encourage thoughtful review, break it down, make it relatable, help them get there, and set our call to action. 00:27:17 - Mapping in the Restaurant Industry, Mapping in the restaurant industry involves sorting menu items into categories, relatable descriptions, and making it easy to choose. Staff picks, chef specials, bolded options, and images can also help with the mapping process. 00:31:44 - Mapping in the Beauty Industry, Nail salons and other businesses in the beauty industry can learn from mapping practices. Simplify options, categorize services, and provide clear descriptions to help customers make informed choices. 00:32:45 - The Importance of Mapping, Adding more options to a product can cause confusion and overwhelm for the consumer, making it harder for them to make a decision. It is important to provide a map or a clear comparison of options to aid consumers in making a choice. 00:37:12 - The Significance of Incentives in Mapping, Consumers perceive fees differently than rates and how incentives play a role in mapping. Companies should present information in a relatable way to consumers to aid in making better decisions. 00:42:09 - The Importance of Trailers and Descriptions in Mapping, Trailers, reviews, and ratings help customers map their options when it comes to choosing movies to watch. Brands can use visuals, such as commercials that show someone using their product, to help consumers create a mental map and make a decision. 00:44:38 - The Benefits of Trial Periods and Satisfaction Guarantees, Companies can offer trials or guarantees of their products to help consumers test their welfare and make a more informed decision. 00:46:45 - The Importance of Showcasing Benefits in Mapping, Category headings like "Most Popular" or "Best Value" can help direct consumers towards the best options. It is important to ensure that these headings accurately reflect the product to avoid nudging consumers towards a bad choice. 00:48:31 - Understanding Customer Behavior, To understand customer behavior, it's important to consider the options they have and the criteria they use to make decisions. Creative solutions and presenting information in the best way possible can help businesses stand out from competitors and win repeatedly. 00:48:59 - Value and Testing, Understanding where customers experience value and knowing how to present information takes time and testing, but it pays dividends. Businesses can unlock the most effective ways to encourage customers to buy and motivate employees to buy in by using proper mapping. 00:49:28 - Incentivizing Employees, Incentivizing employees can be challenging, but with the right approach and understanding of their motivation, businesses can achieve success. The effort put in upfront can lead to significant dividends in the long run. 00:50:08 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Illusion of Choice, by Richard Shotton Elements of Choice, by Eric Johnson Top Recommended Next Episode: The “N” in Nudges – iNcentives (ep 272) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) The Illusion of Choice, with Richard Shotton (ep 275) Choice Hacking, with Jennifer Clinehens (ep 141) Priming (ep 252) Loss Aversion (ep 9) NUDGES & Choice Architecture (ep 35) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Mirror Neurons (ep 31) Anchoring and Adjustment (ep 11) The Top 5 Wording Mistakes Businesses Make (ep 2) Sludge (ep 179) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter 1995 Breyer's Ice Cream Commercial Nudges Blog Choice Architecture

Creating brain-friendly experiences involves understanding how human psychology and behavioral principles can be integrated into the design of products and services. By recognizing and leveraging these concepts, brands can establish a stronger emotional connection with their customers and create experiences that resonate long after the interaction has ended. In the podcast, Melina Palmer advocates for infusing behavioral economics concepts into business practices and learning from Disney's approach. She encourages brands to delve into the "why" behind their existence and explore principles like framing, nudges, and nostalgia to foster lasting relationships with customers. The goal is to deliver unforgettable experiences that keep customers coming back for more, just as Disney has managed to do, time and again. Discover the art of blending novelty and nostalgia to create Disney magic. Unravel the secrets behind Disney's scarcity and identity-based marketing techniques. Learn how to improve customer experience during those unavoidable wait times. Implement Mickey's Ten Commandments and Imagineering Team's guiding principles. Uncover brain-friendly storytelling methods that boost revenue generation. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the podcast episode, which is about the behavioral economics of Disney. She talks about how Disney is part of our culture and upbringing and how it is a complex web of companies. 00:06:42 - Disney's Focus on Innovation, Disney's focus on innovation and constantly working to be better has stuck with the company for over 90 years. They balance expectations with surprise and delight in a way that works with the brain's bias for the status quo. 00:09:19 - Nostalgia, Disney embraces nostalgia in its parks, movies, and merchandise. They keep some things static over decades to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and balance it with new adaptations to keep it fresh. 00:12:17 - Novelty and the IKEA Effect, Disney incorporates novelty and the IKEA effect, which is the idea that people value things they helped create. Disney has little surprises throughout its parks, like hidden Mickeys, and Easter eggs in its movies. They also let people create their own experience with the brand, like embroidering names onto Mickey ears. 00:15:00 - Emotional Bonding, Being part of the fun and shaping the experience makes people emotionally bonded to the Disney brand. Helping pick out Mickey ears or discovering hidden Mickeys can prime memories and conversations and helps people like the brand more. 00:16:07 - Scarcity and Buzz, Disney's scarcity of specialty ears creates buzz and excitement among park visitors, who love to follow the crowd. This generates social proof, making the limited item even more popular and highly sought after. It's a stroke of genius by Disney to create scarcity in a way that gets people talking about the brand. 00:19:22 - Thoughtfulness in Experiences, Disney is known for being thoughtful in their experiences, making even the bad moments an experience all their own. By creating fun and engaging interactions including, hidden Mickeys, and themed line experiences, Disney turns waiting in a long line into a dopamine-generating, anticipation-building experience. This thoughtfulness is a gift that people repay with loyalty and fandom. 00:23:18 - Mickey's Ten Commandments, Mickey's Ten Commandments are a set of guiding principles that define Disney's values and handbook. Two commandments that stand out are to "avoid overwhelm" and "tell one story at a time." By simplifying the customer experience, reducing decision fatigue, and thinking through every experience, Disney can remain the happiest place on Earth for over 65 years. 00:28:17 - Imagineering Process, Disney's Imagineering Team goes through a process of asking questions to guide every new project, starting with what could it be and ending with how did we do? By using this process, Disney creates a flexible approach that allows for variety while still maintaining a high level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail. 00:31:03 - Starting with Story, Disney starts by creating a great story and then builds everything around it. This approach is different from the standard approach where a product is created, and then a story is created around it. By starting with a story, Disney ensures that the audience is emotionally invested in the story and the products or services associated with it. 00:31:51 - Brain-friendly Experiences, Brands can benefit from creating brain-friendly experiences by starting with a story. Starting with a story creates a sense of emotional investment and makes the experience more memorable. Incorporating various concepts from behavioral economics, such as framing, nudges, and nostalgia, can help create a more brain-friendly experience. 00:33:36 - Insights and Inspiration, Disney is a master of creating a balance between novelty and nostalgia in their experiences. They recognize that people want to share their childhood experiences with future generations, and they create experiences that allow them to do so. Disney also pays attention to the true end of the experience, which is not when someone leaves the park, but when they can relive the experience through photos. Companies can learn from Disney by creating similar brain-friendly experiences. 00:35:09 - Making Memories, Disney understood the true end of their experience, which was the moment when people could relive the experience through photos. They worked with Kodak to paint the park in colors that would look best when printed on photo paper, creating amazing, stellar pictures that helped make the memories stronger. Creating brain-friendly experiences involves paying attention to the details that make all the difference. 00:35:08 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Choice Hacking, by Jennifer Clinehens What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Experience Maker, by Dan Gingiss Blindsight, by Matt Johnson and Prince Ghuman Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Top Recommended Next Episode: Why We Like The Things We Like, with Prince Ghuman (ep 172) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Starbucks: Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 278) Costco: Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 47) Peloton: Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 86) Choice Hacking, with Jennifer Clinehens (ep 141) Why Our Brains Love Nostalgia & Traditions (ep 79) Social Proof (ep 87) Priming (ep 252) Peak-End Rule (ep 97) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Habits (ep 256) Surprise and Delight (ep 276) Status Quo Bias (ep 142) IKEA Effect (ep 112)  Scarcity (ep 270) Reciprocity (ep 238) NUDGES & Choice Architecture (ep 35) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The Psychology Behind Disney's “10 Commandments” for Experience Design The Science Hiding in Mickey's Pixie Dust Disney Proves That Profitable Marketing Is About Brand Stories Be Like Disney: Why You Should Embrace Imagineering Principles in Branding How Disney Built An Empire By Designing Brand Experience Why are so many adults obsessed with Disney theme parks? Here's an upside-down Mickey at the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Samuel Salzer, founder of Habit Weekly, a newsletter that curates the latest in behavioral science research and news. Salzer discusses the importance of creating content that people actually want (imagine that!) and the value of putting good things out into the world. He also shares insights on building habits and behavior change, and how businesses can apply these principles to their marketing and customer engagement strategies. Overall, the episode highlights the power of behavioral science in shaping our daily lives and the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest research and trends. Show Notes: [00:40] Today's episode is a refresh of my conversation with Samuel Salzer, founder of Habit Weekly. [02:06] It is so fun to see how much things have grown at Habit Weekly in these three years. They have a full team of people now, and they've been doing their awards for a few years as well. I was honored to have been a winner in the inaugural edition, and a finalist in multiple categories every year. [03:29] Samuel shares about himself, his background, and how he started working in behavioral science. He has always been an entrepreneur and started his first business at 16.  [05:02] He found human decision-making fascinating.  [06:44] He wanted to learn more about what we can do to support people in making behavioral changes in their lives.  [08:42] For his work he focuses on how to scale behavioral change.  [09:56] You are succeeding if you help create value for your users and customers, understand them better, and help find a good solution for their problems.  [10:38] Whether we like it or not, behavior is quite complex. We are complex beings living in complex environments.  [13:06] Most businesses look at reducing friction in their customer journeys. Sometimes increasing friction is a good idea too.  [16:06] We are really good at creating stories and narratives in our minds to support whatever thing we really want to do.  [18:28] Just the simple shift of taking the word from reward to consequence makes it feel heavier in a way that can change behavior.   [19:39] Each individual choice matters. [20:50] We are often trying to do things that remove a negative effect. [23:17] The concept of “eating the frog” is doing the hard thing first.  [25:45] Samuel felt like it was hard to stay up on the content and research in the field so he started sharing links on LinkedIn.  [26:53] This eventually evolved into Habit Weekly. It's now a mailing list that sends content related to behavioral design on a weekly basis. [28:27] You know you found something people really want if they are reaching out to you asking you to create a mailing list. It doesn't have to be difficult to start an email list if you understand what drives people.  [30:27] His goal is to make sure that anyone interested in applying behavior change has the best and latest insights every week. [35:21] This field of behavioral science is still in the adolescent phase. In the near future, it is going to move into this more mature phase that is more about the process and learning more about applying these concepts in the best way.  [37:21] Samuel is really excited about the better understanding in the next few years of how any organization can easily start applying these concepts.  [40:17] His superpower or wish would be to see the world through other people's eyes. (Melina would like to be able to speak and read every language fluently.) [40:58] He also loves books and movies. A really good book or movie can help show the world from someone else's perspective.  [44:44] Many businesses create content people don't want. If you start from a place of sharing, reciprocity will kick in eventually and people will appreciate what you are doing and what to give back to you one way or another.  [46:18] Melina's closing thoughts Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business: Get your copies of Melina's award-winning books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Sludge, by Cass Sunstein Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein You Have More Influence Than You Think, by Vanessa Bohns Connect with Samuel:  Samuel's Website Samuel on LinkedIn Samuel on Twitter Top Recommended Next Episode: Framing (ep 16) Already Heard That One? Try These:  How to Finally Change Your Behavior (So it Sticks) (ep 81) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Friction – What It Is And How To Reduce It, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Time Discounting (ep 51) Partitioning (ep 58) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Optimism Bias (ep 34) What is BrainyTab? An Interview with the Founders Radu and Raluca Judele (ep 85) Reciprocity (ep 238) Booms and Busts (ep 30) How to Make Content People Can't Help But Engage With, featuring Katelyn Bourgoin (ep 201) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Sludge (ep 179) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  The Brain Science Behind Your Shopping Decisions (watch Melina's TV interview!) Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time Habit Weekly

In today's conversation, I am joined by Dr. Merle van den Akker. Merle is a behavioral scientist who has recently completed a Ph.D. at the Warwick Business School, studying the effect of different payment methods on personal finance management. She decided to leave academia to apply behavioral insights in the real world and has become a behavioral science manager at a financial well-being unit in an Australian bank. She continues to research and apply behavioral science to improve financial services and consumer (financial) well-being. Next to this, Merle is a science communicator, running the blog Money on the Mind, and the MoneyPsychologist TikTok account, where she disseminates insights from the intersection of behavioral science and personal finance. Last, to not leave academia behind fully, Merle also still teaches behavioral science as well as courses on fintech developments at top Australian universities. Merle was also a finalist for Content Person of the Year in the Habit Weekly Awards in 2022 along with myself and many other amazing content creators in the space including next week's guest who won the award last year. In today's conversation, we are talking about personal finance – both for individuals and how it applies to any business. Stress at home can impact performance at work, and there are some ways businesses can be helping their employees feel more comfortable -- and do better work -- if they are thoughtful about personal finances and what is going on in the world around them. Even if your company doesn't believe it is impacted by inflation or the massive layoffs that have been happening recently...think again. Merle and I dig in on how social media and other availability-bias- and herding-fueled messaging is impacting everyone, and what companies can be doing to help their employees to feel more secure and less stressed. Show Notes: [00:42] In today's conversation, I am joined by Dr. Merle van den Akker. Merle is a behavioral scientist who has recently completed a Ph.D. at the Warwick Business School studying the effect of different payment methods on personal finance management.  [02:21] Stress at home can impact performance at work and there are some ways businesses can help their employees feel more comfortable and do better work.  [04:34] Merle shares about herself, her background, and the work she does. She runs the Money on the Mind blog, where she writes about how behavioral science applies to personal finance.  [06:42] Spending on a credit card is incredibly different than spending with cash.  [07:37] With contactless payments, people tend to spend a bit more and then they actually have a much worse recall of what they spent.  [09:32] Mental accounting is expenditure and research tracking in your head.  [11:51] It is important to ask thoughtful questions in business and research.  [14:25] You have a mental and a physical account for savings and your credit whether you are in debt or not.  [16:54] Behavioral science can contribute positively to the cost of living crisis in major ways. When people act out of fear they don't make great decisions.  [18:54] Learned helplessness is a very dangerous state to get into. You need to be able to get into a mindset where you are still able to act.  [21:50] Having too much pressure on people's time is impacting their ability to do really good, thoughtful work.  [24:28] The present bias is a very inconvenient bias and is something you should be aware of.  [27:31] As an employee, it is important to know what would and would not work and ask for that from your employer. An employer should be open and expectant to have these conversations.  [30:36] There can be more thoughtful and creative solutions for ways employers can help that don't cost them a lot of money.  [32:45] You can help be a solution for customers and employees by having this overall awareness of what is happening in the world and how that is going to be impacting behavior.  [34:09] If your brain is in overload the last thing it wants is ambiguity.  [35:42] You don't want people to act out of fear because they will make decisions that don't benefit anyone in the long run. That is something we should really try to avoid.  [37:53] Social media algorithms give you more of what you show interest in. Something may feel like it is everywhere, when in reality the algorithms are just showing it to you a lot.    [39:46] Always take the time in stressful moments to breathe and get out of that hot state to look and see what you can do differently.  [41:01] It is a win-win situation to have employees that are not just cowering under an enormous load of stress and fear and as a result being rendered almost nonfunctional.  [42:34] Melina's closing thoughts. [43:01] If you focus on helping your people with more aspects of their lives then just what feels immediately relative to your bottom line can have really great impacts financially and otherwise.  Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Scarcity, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir  Subtract, by Leidy Klotz The Power of Scarcity, by Mindy Weinstein Connect with Merle:  Money on the Mind Merle on Twitter Merle on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Common Errors in Financial Decision Making with Dr. Chuck Howard (ep 213) Already Heard That One? Try These:  The Pain of Paying (ep 240) Hindsight Bias (ep 167) Time Discounting (ep 51) Common Errors in Financial Decision Making with Dr. Chuck Howard (ep 213) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) Mental Accounting (ep 282) That Time I Went Viral… with Dr. Daniel Crosby (ep 212) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) Herding (ep 264) Availability Bias (ep 15) Time Pressure (ep 74) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Past, Present, and Future Biases  (ep 246) Expect Error: The "E" in NUDGES (ep 39) Give Feedback: The "G" in NUDGES (ep 40) Ambiguity Aversion (ep 243) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Learned Helplessness Invest now, drink later, spend never: On the mental accounting of delayed consumption

You're likely familiar with accounting, so perhaps you can gather that mental accounting is essentially about how we account for things in our mind. But, you may not realize that it isn't just mental math. This is about how we tend to create separate accounts for things in our minds that feel concrete, but often aren't. When I give examples in this episode today, which originally aired in the summer of 2019, you are going to find yourself saying, “Well, obviously that is how it works!” And then when you realize it doesn't have to be that way…it's kind of mind-blowing, but in a good way.  Mental accounting is great in a lot of ways. It helps us to save money and prioritize things that we might have a harder time with if everything was all lumped together. But it doesn't mean it is the ONLY way or even the right way. It might just be the best way our brains are doing it right now, and it is always a good thing when you can know the rules your brain is using to make its decisions as well as that of your employees, peers, customers, and more.  So, why are we talking about mental accounting today? It's because this Friday I am joined by Dr. Merle van den Akker, an expert on psychology and personal finances who runs the Money on the Mind blog. When she is here on Friday we discuss how the stress of money (fear of losing a job, concern about inflation, and the like) can impact employees. And, we of course take it a step further to unpack what businesses should know about these topics to better support their employees and why, even if a company thinks this doesn't have anything to do with them…it absolutely does. This kind of stress has a lot of economic impact on an organization, and it doesn't have to be difficult to support employees and achieve that win-win. We specifically talk about mental accounting in the episode, making it the perfect time to refresh it and get you set up for success for Friday! Show Notes: [01:21] Our brains make rules all the time. Sometimes they are really valuable — mental accounting is a great thing in a lot of ways. Sometimes, they aren't necessarily serving us well. [03:21] The concept of mental accounting was introduced by Nobel Prize winner Richard Thaler and is based on a human's illogical approach to value in relative terms instead of looking at it as an absolute.  [06:00] Three examples of how mental accounting can impact the decisions we make. This concept is very ingrained in our brains.  [08:22] Money is commonly labeled as either: expenses, wealth, and income.  [10:48] Much like regular accounting in mental accounting, individuals will book and post any occurring or planned transactions to the mental account. However, small items may not be booked in the same way as a big item would be. As long as it is below a certain amount it doesn't have to hit the mental account.  [12:38] We often don't look at dollar bills and change the same.  [15:31] Similar to the process of rounding up change at the grocery store, adding a small amount to an already large payment doesn't feel the same as having that payment on its own. This is because of decoupling.  [17:07] Vacations are enjoyed more when they are prepaid because it feels free.  [19:06] There are times when prepayment is necessary and beneficial for the overall enjoyment of an experience.  [22:34] When prepayment comes into play the impact of the payment gets completely wiped off the mental accounting sheet so its impact on the sheet becomes zero.  [25:11] Instead, internalize how the brain is wired to make its decisions around mental accounting.  [27:49] When it comes to wealth in these sorts of categories people are very influenced by paper gains and losses.  [29:26] Where you keep the money mentally or physically matters, but it also matters how you came across the money in question.  [30:53] The way you receive the dividend impacts your willingness to spend it.  [32:17] While it is easier to give cash than gifts, in many cases when the gift given is something someone really likes or enjoys it can have a greater value than giving cash.  [34:08] While losses should be lumped together, gains should be separated out to really feel their value. Don't wrap all the Christmas presents in one box.  [35:14] Mental accounting affects more than just money.  [37:52] Context is important in the way people react.  [39:54] Talking on the phone is more enjoyable when you aren't worried about how much it is going to cost you.  [41:57] If you struggle with work-life balance and want to make more time for yourself, your family, or date night, consider how the mental accounts for money were set up.  [43:47] Try to take a step back and have perspective on what's a waste of time and how you could better allocate your mental time account.  [44:25] Melina's closing thoughts Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business: Check out Melina's award-winning books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Scarcity, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir  Subtract, by Leidy Klotz The Power of Scarcity, by Mindy Weinstein Top Recommended Next Episode: Pain of Paying (240) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Costco (ep 47) Apple Card (ep 42) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Celebrating the First Year of the Podcast (ep 55) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Framing (ep 16) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Time Discounting (ep 51) Booms and Busts (ep 30) What is Value? (ep 8) The Truth About Pricing (ep 5) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  The Pain of Paying The Red and the Black: Mental Accounting of Savings and Debt The Pain of Paying Tightwads and Spendthrifts: An Interdisciplinary Review Always Leave Home Without It: A Further Investigation of the Credit-Card Effect on Willingness to Pay Invest now, drink later, spend never: On the mental accounting of delayed consumption Mental Accounting Matters Mental Accounting and Consumer Choice

Memory is a funny thing. We like to think we have these perfect pictures of what really happened in our minds waiting to be retrieved in pristine condition, but that's not at all how it works. It turns out we have all sorts of biases that, well, bias our memories. And that is important to know in our interactions with other people in life and business.  The truth is: you can remember something completely different from someone else, and neither of you has to be wrong. Let me say that again, even if you remember something that is completely different than someone else, it doesn't mean that either of you is wrong. Our brains screen for different information than what someone else might be screening for (focusing illusion and confirmation bias). That subconscious filter is sifting through a lot of stuff, and what mattered to you and what you remember is never the full picture. This episode, which originally came out in early 2019, is a quick run through of a bunch of memory biases (part of the 8-part “All the Biases”  series).  So, why was memory important to refresh today? It is because of the guest I am delighted to introduce you to this coming Friday, Dan Willingham, a memory expert whose book Outsmart Your Brain will change your life (and that of every learner you know). Outsmart Your Brain has chapters on “how to take notes,” “how to listen to a lecture,” “how to read hard books,” “how to take tests,” and more. It is fascinating and will help you with any presentation you may give or meeting you will be in moving forward. Trust me, you're gonna love that conversation and Dan's book, so be sure to subscribe to The Brainy Business podcast now (before you forget). (Haha, memory joke!) Show Notes: [00:39] Today's episode is all about memory biases. Memory is a funny thing. [01:16] You can remember something completely different from someone else, and neither of you has to be wrong. [03:41] Today's episode is going to be divided into three sections: general memory stuff, false memories, and tips on how you can use these biases to help you remember things better.  [04:45] Our memories are basically inaccurate renditions our brains tell us and every time we access them we change them a little. So the more you think about something the less and less it is like the original version. (Frustrating, but true.) [06:26] Your customers, coworkers, friends, and family all have these same biases, so hopefully learning more about all your brains will help in all sorts of interactions in the future.  [07:20] You are the hero of your own story and no one will remember your story as well as you do (but of course even you don't remember your story correctly). The emotions tied to bad memories will fade quicker than the emotions tied to positive events.  [10:08] A few well planned surprise and delight moments throughout a relationship can create good peaks (and remember the most recent end holds the most weight).  [12:38] A false memory is when we accidentally think something we imagined really happened and misattribute it as a memory.   [14:15] Our brains are powerful, but they are easily manipulated too.  [15:39] The opposite of a false memory is called cryptomnesia when a real memory is mistaken as imagination because there is not a proper experience of it being a memory.  [17:21] We do tend to remember the efforts we had to put in as much higher than they were and toils more difficult as they were in reality.  [19:12] Don't feel like you need to remember everything about everything. Instead, remember important things that can't be easily looked up, and don't gunk up your brain with all the trivial information. [20:45] If you want to be able to remember things better and with easier recall, it is best to have repeated exposure over a long span of time instead of trying to cram it all in at the last minute. [22:14] Try to commit things to memory in the context they belong to or multiple contexts so they are less isolated. The mood we are in is also tied to the context. [24:13] If you want to remember things, write them down.  [25:51] Visual images are often recalled by our visual subconscious faster and easier than words because of the picture superiority effect. [27:38] We all put so much effort into making things as easy as possible to read and process but in reality due to processing difficulty, stuff that takes longer to read and process is easier to remember.  [28:43] We are provided with lists of things all the time and the way those things are presented absolutely impacts memory.   [30:15] Due to the next in line effect you are less likely to remember the words people spoke just before you because you were distracted with what you wanted to say. Being a good listener is key to building relationships in life and business.  [31:40] Melina's closing thoughts Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn More and Support The Brainy Business: Get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Outsmart Your Brain, by Dan Willingham What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer You Have More Influence Than You Think, by Vanessa Bohns You Are Not So Smart, by David McRaney  Unleash Your Primal Brain, by Tim Ash Top Recommended Next Episode: Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Costco (ep 47) Apple Card (ep 42) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) The Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Surprise & Delight (ep 276) The Peak End Rule (ep 97) Time Discounting (ep 51) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  COGNITION Chapter 6: MEMORY DISTORTIONS Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology The Science of ‘Accidental' Joke-Stealing and Plagiarism

Today's episode is all about surprise and delight. Hopefully, the title concept of this episode already has you in a happy and delightful mood (that's priming for you!) and you are ready for some fun. I love thinking about experiences and incorporating fun, delightful moments. It can be with customers or employees and in totally unexpected places (that is the best strategy) like an error page of a website or the legaleze people agree to.  Little moments of thoughtfulness are my favorite, and they help us to have fun at work (we should!) as well as help our customers and employees to enjoy interacting with us (which will make them want to do it more). And, while I don't need much of an excuse to talk about surprise and delight, there is a specific reason I chose to refresh this episode from 2019 today, and that is as a lead into this coming Friday's conversation with John Sills on his new book The Human Experience.  His book is all about creating better experiences. He features brands that are already doing an amazing job and how companies can make big leaps by remembering their humanness. Great experiences shouldn't be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure. But it doesn't have to be this way! This episode will share why delight is so critical to companies, why surprise matters, what it all has to do with loyalty and profitability and so much more. It's a fun one and I can't wait to share it with you Friday (if you aren't already subscribed to the podcast, take a moment to do so now). And, in the meantime, let's talk about surprise and delight. Show Notes: [00:38] Today's episode is all about surprise and delight. [02:12] Great experiences shouldn't be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure. [04:18] If a customer has an expectation they will either be satisfied or dissatisfied by the level at which that expectation is met or not. Expectation can't lead to delight. [05:15] Ideally you are living in the satisfied territory most of the time with a few delights popping up here and there. Delighting customers takes extra work and it can be expensive, though it doesn't have to be.  [05:38] Delight is much more likely to drive loyalty than mere satisfaction. [07:31] It is important to not get stuck in the traps of false loyalty.  [10:13] A 5% increase in loyalty can increase your profit by as much as 85%.  [11:03] Loyalty is huge for businesses and delight is a big key to earning it. Loyalty isn't the only awesome thing to come out of delighting customers.  [11:57] The biggest issue is that there is no standard scale for measuring delight.  [14:14] Customers can't tell you what would cause them to be delighted because they have to be surprised. They can't be expecting it or it isn't going to hit the delight scale.  [17:46] Finding someone who is influential and loves your brand and then finding a way to work with them can both delight that person and their following.  [19:39] If your delights become standard then they become expected. Surprise is key to delight.  [22:33] Having a great first encounter helps set the relationship off on a good start. Having a dose of delight every now and then keeps customers happy.  [24:09] Empowering employees to help customers and go the extra mile can make a big difference in loyalty scores and profitability.  [26:02] Sometimes the most delightful “WoW” moments happen in the blink of an eye. If employees are not empowered and need to cross layers of approval these moments could be lost forever.  [28:27] In other businesses this could be as simple as changing the radio station on a loaner car to match the customer's vehicle when it is brought in for repairs, or knowing when a client comes to your office for a meeting drinks chai tea lattes and having one waiting on them when they arrive. Little things can make a big difference and delight your customers.  [30:01] Businesses always need to be watching the market to see what the status quo is and how expectations have changed to keep up with delight.  [32:33] Melina shares one of her favorite examples of surprise and delight.  [34:35] There are countless other ways your company can implement surprise and delight for your customers.   [36:34] Listen to customers to understand what's important to them.  [38:08] Delight is not something you do one off and hope for the best. It requires time and strategy, but it is absolutely worth it. When you give a little bit to people often they want to give back.  [40:45] Don't let herding make you feel like you have to send stuff at the same time as everyone else. That is precisely why you should send something at another time because no one else is.  [41:37] Melina's closing thoughts [43:41] It is important to take a step back and look around and disassociate from the current experience. Working with a consultant can be very helpful to bring fresh eyes to the situation.   Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer How Customers Think, by Gerald Zaltman Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Engaged, by Amy Bucher Choice Hacking, by Jennifer Clinehens  Top Recommended Next Episode: Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 16) Priming (ep 18) Decision Fatigue (ep 132) Relativity (ep 12) Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) The Sense of Touch (ep 28) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) The Pain of Paying (ep 240) Overview of Memory Biases (ep 48) Apple Card (ep 42) Herding (ep 19) How to Create Remarkable Experiences with Dan Gingiss (ep 185) Anthropology, Market Research & Behavioral Economics with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Choice Hacking, with Jennifer Clinehens (ep 141) Engaged, with Amy Bucher (ep 164) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  How to Delight Your Customers Customer Delight: Foundations, Findings, and Managerial Insight Delight by Design: The Role of Hedonic versus Utilitarian Benefits Ed Sheeran Launches Own Heinz Tomato ‘Edchup' Ed Sheeran Edchup on Instagram Ed Sheeran on Instagram @teddysphotos The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful of Employee Empowerment Turkey Talk Line

Today I welcome Roger Dooley to The Brainy Business podcast for a refresh of our conversation about his book Friction. Featuring this discussion was inspired by Richard Shotton's new book The Illusion of Choice, which has one chapter about “making it easy” and then another on “making it difficult” (and you'll hear all about it on Friday). This perfectly aligns with Roger's book, Friction, which is all about understanding the psychology of friction and how it can be used to optimize customer experiences. That made it the perfect refresh candidate for this week! While reducing friction is often best and what most businesses need, sometimes there is also value in adding friction in the right places. For example, in What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, I suggest introducing a 30 minute waiting period before sending emails can help to avoid mistakes.  As you listen today and think about Friction, consider your own experiences — where can they be easier? Where should they be more difficult? I know that seems a bit counterintuitive now, but some thoughtful friction is really valuable in the right places. Listen in to learn how you can use friction in your own business. Show Notes: [00:39] Today's episode is all about friction, specifically, a refresh of the conversation I had with Roger Dooley on his book Friction way back in November 2019. [01:44] As you listen today and think about friction, consider your own experiences — where can they be easier? Where should they be more difficult? [04:04] The cover of Roger's book, Friction, intentionally had a coarse / gritty texture. It was meant to convey a sense of friction. (Priming!) [05:35] Roger shares about himself, his background, and the work he does.   [07:40] The interaction of neuroscience, behavioral science, and business has always been fascinating to him. His blogging, podcast, and books have given him a chance to explore that and simplify it for people in business.  [09:22] There has been an increase in business interest in behavioral science. [11:46] Change is hard, especially when humans are involved.  [12:57] 95% of the time businesses have too much friction in their processes. [13:49] There are times when adding friction helps. In general, it is best to eliminate it. Amazon is a prime example of that.  [16:27] Friction is an unnecessary effort to complete a task.  [18:29] Amazon makes it so that 99% of the time or more you are simply using the one-click button to ship a product to your home address or office address.  That makes it a low-risk transaction.  [21:46] People don't look at the cost of the processes they create. When looking at the total time, cost, and effort compared to the amount you would lose, there's no comparison.  [23:29] Where there is high trust there is low friction.  [25:08] Often we create processes that are designed to make things easier but they don't really work that way.  [27:51] How many people are going to be affected by this and how can we make things easier?  [30:08] In general, if you are trying to maximize leads or sales, making the process as simple as possible is the way to go.  [33:08] By giving them that “out” you relieve the pressure and they are more comfortable complying with the request.  [35:54] Buffer took all the friction out of scheduling social media. They made it simple to get started.  [38:34] Rather than seemingly correct the person and imply that they didn't work at it hard enough they avoid the word “actually”. [40:46] Loyal customers are better and more valuable than new customers. Low-effort experiences drive loyalty.  [42:38] They are comparing you against their best, lowest effort customer experiences.  [43:57] You are endangering the loyalty of all those customers you can not handle in that instantaneous and efficient manner.  [46:54] Sometimes eliminating useless parts of the process is the best way. [48:34] As you look to decrease friction you will start to notice it all around you.  [50:27] Melina's closing thoughts [52:41] Remember, you are a human doing business with humans inside your company and with your customers — trust and humanness and a reduction in friction can go a long way in building an amazing business. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn More and Support The Brainy Business: Check out Melina's books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer How Customers Think, by Gerald Zaltman Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Sludge, by Cass Sunstein  Connect with Roger:  Roger's Website Roger on LinkedIn Roger on Twitter Top Recommended Next Episode: Sludge (ep 179) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Relativity (ep 12) The Sense of Touch (ep 28) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) Surprise and Delight (ep 60) Framing (ep 16) Priming (ep 18) Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Decision Fatigue (ep 132) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Today's episode is all about iNcentives, specifically as they pertain to the concept of NUDGES. This episode first aired as part of a 7-part series I did on NUDGES back in 2019. Why seven parts? Well, “NUDGES” is an acronym for the six types of nudges as introduced by Thaler and Sunstein: iNcentives (which is a bit of a fudge to make it work, but we all forgive them), Understand Mapping, Defaults, Give Feedback, Expect Error and Structuring Complex Choices. That original series included one episode on each, plus an introductory episode into what nudges and choice architecture are to kick things off - so there you have it: seven episodes.  This episode on incentives is being refreshed today to help get your brain buzzing on the idea before the wonderful Dr. Uri Gneezy is here on Friday to share about his new book (which just came out today) called Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work. It is all about what happens when we mix up our incentives so things don't work as intended, and what we can do to correct those errors before they happen.  Digging in on nudging incentives as it pertains to behavioral economics felt like the perfect way to get you ready and in the right mindset for that episode coming out on Friday. (If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, take a moment to do so now!) Show Notes: [00:38] Today's episode is all about iNcentives, specifically as they pertain to the concept of NUDGES. This episode first aired as part of a 7-part series I did on NUDGES back in 2019. [03:20] We are inundated with choices in our lives and because our brains are lazy we don't put in all the effort required to make the best decision every time. Well structured choice architecture can influence the way someone makes a decision and the choice they make.  [04:37] Proper incentives can help encourage sales when you understand how they work.  [05:11] Good choice architects understand how to structure the nudges and architecture to do what is best for their business.  [06:43] Melina's example - air conditioning! [09:02] In general with air conditioning, it may feel like there isn't really a choice to be had. It looks pretty easy on the surface...  [10:30] While air conditioning seems like a simple choice there were actually a lot of variables to be considered.   [13:05] Consider who pays, who chooses, who uses, and who profits. [14:06] What happens when there are conflicting incentives? That is where we can really run into problems.   [15:47] “Do you want the wi-fi enabled one?”  [19:11] Look at how you can align the incentives to find the win-win-win scenario. [21:45] When all you look at is the cost it is easy to base your pricing off of that – but that isn't the best way. [23:52] Salience (or saying something is salient) is the way an item stands out from other items. [25:19] Our human brains have a hard time understanding value and cost over time.  [27:03] Breaking down a large payment by year, month, week, or even day can make it a choice easier (or harder!) to make. Context matters. [29:43] Being in sales is basically being a full time choice architect. It is the burden of a salesperson and company to structure choices in a way that customers can quickly understand the value and make a choice.  [32:02] Paying for the car is removed from the experience of you using and driving it.  [34:00] Think about what you want to bring your customers' attention to (versus what would be a negative experience if you brought their attention to it).  [36:23] Points, foreign currency, and tokens are not the same in our mind as “real” money.   [38:04] It is important to consider the questions of who uses, who choses, who pays, who profits. [40:44] Surge pricing may seem like a way to nudge people into using less energy, but because this isn't salient in the moment it doesn't do as much as it could. Here's something else that might work better… [41:55] The last example of competing incentives is the US healthcare system.  [44:20] Improvements can always be made.  [46:30] Melina's closing thoughts [46:35] I find incentives fascinating because there are so many layers to them. It is so important to look at the ripples of choices and incentives, all those little facets that may not come to mind but can actually be really really important when decisions are made. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books. Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Sludge, by Cass Sunstein What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Why Axis, by Uri Gneezy and John List Top Recommended Next Episode: The Cobra Effect (ep 220) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Motivation and Incentives at Work with Kurt Nelson (ep 187) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives, Tim Houlihan Interview (ep 109) NUDGES & Choice Architecture (ep 35) Understanding Mapping: The "U" in NUDGES (ep 37) Defaults: The "D" in NUDGES (ep 38) Expect Error: The "E" in NUDGES (ep 39) Give Feedback: The "G" in NUDGES (ep 40) Structuring Complex Choices: The "S" in NUDGES (ep 41) Loss Aversion: Why Getting New Stuff Is Not The Same (ep 9) Scarcity (ep 270) Relativity (ep 12) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) The Truth About Pricing (ep 5) Unlocking the Power of Numbers (ep 17) The Overwhelmed Brain and its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) What is Value? (ep 234) Framing (ep 16) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness Choice Architecture

What does it take for an Emotional Abusive person to change? What do they have to do to change? How did Paul know he had to change? What does healthy look like?Paul is a Relationship Coach and founder of The Overwhelmed Brain and the Love and Abuse podcasts. He created the MEAN workbook, a 200 point assessment to identify manipulative behavior.Where you can find Paul:Love and AbuseThe Overwhelmed BrainMEAN WorkbookSupport the showWebsite: Emotional Abuse CoachInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

Today's show begins with a little support on how to take effective work breaks that really reset your brain. Cause hey—so often we just don't do it. And… that's okay. We just have to learn how. Your brain will thank you for it!   My guest Paul Colaianni is one of the top experts on the Internet on how to hang on to your marriage. His podcast Love and Abuse is a really great teacher on all matters related to this sensitive subject.   Among other things we talked about:   -       Behaviors to look for in emotionally abusive relationships -       Why is it so hard to acknowledge you're in an abusive relationship -       What is the “You're Too Sensitive” game? -       The high cost of ‘the Silent Treatment' -       How to build the healthiest relationships possible. -       How to make sure you're not on a path of self-sabotage -       How boundaries fit in   May this help YOU be happier in relationship!   Much love,   Suzanne     RESOURCES   AG1 Nutritional Drink USE THIS LINK: athleticgreens.com/BUSYWOMEN Get a FREE 1-yearsupply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase   Suzanne's new book, Free Spirited: How My Daughter Healed Me From the Afterlife   The Art of the Work Break   Take a Nap! Change Your Life! Love and Abuse podcast    The Overwhelmed Brain podcast   The Overwhelmed Brain Empowerment Group on Facebook for anyone to join:         OUR GUEST Paul Colaianni is a Behavior and Relationship Coach. He hosts two podcasts, Love and Abuse and The Overwhelmed Brain, both which provide guidance on how to deal with toxic people and how to create the best relationships possible, both with yourself and others.  

Please enjoy the rebroadcast of this very popular episode on planning! Seriously, it will help save you going into the new year! Do you feel like you are juggling too many things? Are you wearing ALL the hats? Are you exhausted at the end of the day, but feel like you didn't get anything done? Is the list of things you still need to do running through your head when you lay down at night in bed?  In our recent research interviews with women across the country, one of the daily frustrations many women have is trying to get all the things done that need done in a day. It is hard to get everything accomplished when we are feeling overwhelmed.  This week, Megan Sumrell shares with us tips to take back our schedule and free up our brains. The first step is to move out of our overwhelmed state and Megan tells us exactly how to do that. It is possible to get the things done you need to do without burning ourselves out. Listen in as she gives us a 5 step weekly planning process that will get you on the path to reclaiming your calendar.  Megan Sumrell is a self proclaimed time management expert for overwhelmed women. She is empowering women to achieve Work + Life Harmony through time management and productivity.   You can find Megan on Facebook , Instagram , and all the other places here. Be sure to visit her pages, there are countless tools and tips you can access for free! If you want to work with her one on one, be sure to reach out.   Join the cause and support the fight to end the mental health stigma for as little as $5  Find all things UTI here: https://linktr.ee/UnqualifiedTherapists  Starting your own podcast and want an easy and affordable platform? Get your first month FREE by using this link: https://www.podbean.com/UTI Have a story to share? Contact us here: https://www.unqualifiedtherapists.com/guests/intake/

Today's episode is all about brainy goals — how to set them and think about them to put you on a path to success, instead of inadvertently setting yourself up to fail. Now, you would never intentionally set up goals that won't work out, but our brains are programmed in a way that makes it so we consistently stack the cards against ourselves. We try to do too much, spread ourselves too thin, rely on willpower to get us through, and don't understand the importance that tiny habits play in our ability to accomplish big things.  At this time of year (this is the second to last episode before we close out 2022) most people are thinking about planning and what the next year will bring for them. How things will be different, what they want to accomplish, what habits they want to change if they will plan resolutions (and if so...what they are), and the like. That's why I decided to refresh this episode from 2019 right now. It felt like the perfect way to end the year, especially in light of this coming Friday's topic! That episode is a panel of sorts that incorporates expert advice on how to have a happier 2023 and set your year up for success.  So to get you in the right mindset preparing for that, and just because it is probably something you are already thinking about right now, it felt like the right time to talk about goals. I get a lot done — two podcast episodes a week, a weekly newsletter, two books in less than two years, teaching and creating my courses for Texas A&M, speaking, consulting, and still having time for an enjoyable life with my family. The only way that is possible is by tackling and thinking about goals in a brainy way. Listen in to hear all my tips and tricks.  Show Notes: [00:23] Today's episode is all about brainy goals — how to set them and think about them to put you on a path to success, instead of inadvertently setting yourself up to fail. [05:17] We all have goals and are all optimistic that we will achieve them someday. The truth is that if you don't set your goals up correctly there is a good chance life will move too fast and you won't achieve what you are capable of.  [05:52] There are three main tips for setting and achieving brainy goals. Define your goals and limit them to know more than three. Break down the path to achieving those goals into small steps. Say no to everything else.   [07:11] The opposite of distraction is traction.   [09:55] Step one is to limit and set your goals. You first need to list out every goal you would like to accomplish in the next 5, 10, or 50 years. [10:48] Now you have to pick three. If they make sense to combine and make the goal a little more amazing that's okay but make sure it's logical.  [12:07] Your brain doesn't like change. It is scared of it. Keeping you stuck and dwelling on making things perfect or being really sure are tactics by your brain to delay change.  [14:06] It is important to declare and own those top goals so that everyone in your life knows what is most important and is on board with that.  [16:47] Melina shares a story about her taking a walk with her husband to the mailbox and Puerto Vallarta. [19:25] We are sticking with goals and priorities we set in a cold state because they are what matter in our life.  [20:53] Once you know what those top three are the next step is to break each of those three goals into the small steps it will take to get there.   [22:54] You can't do it all at once. There are a few ways you can break those down. One way I recommend is breaking the big lifetime into subgoals for the year.   [24:33] Start small with the thing that is impossible to justify not doing. [26:17] Every goal is reached in lots of small steps. Goals are the sum of all the effort it took to get there. If you don't plan for the small steps they won't happen.  [26:49] Remind your brain of the top three as much as possible in as many different ways as you possibly can.   [28:17] You need to be incredibly particular about what you surround yourself with in your life, in your life, and everywhere.  [30:49] Reminding your subconscious of your goals as often as possible will help keep you on track.  [31:14] Determine what three things are really important to you. Shout them from the rooftops and put every single egg in their baskets.   [27:41] Melina's closing thoughts Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Get It Done, by Ayelet Fishbach Happier Hour, by Cassie Holmes Indistractable, by Nir Eyal How To Change, by Katy Milkman Atomic Habits, by James Clear Top Recommended Next Episode: Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation with Ayelet Fishbach (ep 186) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Resolutions and Keeping Commitments (ep 29) The Overwhelmed Brain and its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Optimism Bias (ep 34) How To Change, an interview Dr. Katy Milkman (ep 151) How To Become Indistractable, with Nir Eyal (ep 78) Temptation Bundling (ep 136) Celebrate! It's More Important Than You Think (ep 80) Habits (ep 21) The Power of Habit (ep 22) Herding (ep 19)  Good Habits, Bad Habits, with Dr. Wendy Wood (ep 127) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  Brainy Business Courses

Today's episode is all about branding — and specifically, my insights for how to incorporate brain science and behavioral economics insights so you can have a brainy brand that resonates better with your potential customers, clients, members, etc., and is one of those coveted “favorite brands” in the mind of your consumer.  When your brand is thinking about becoming a beloved “favorite” it is important to consider the experience people have with you. Becoming a favorite is a lot like dating and marriage. On a first date, you are looking for all sorts of data to help categorize someone as a hero or a zero — you want to be able to cut your losses before you invest too much. It's the same with brands. It is important to not make mistakes. You especially want to be on your best behavior early on in the customer relationship to build up that “favorite” status. The tips in this episode will help you leverage behavioral economics to do just that (including what your brand needs to learn from your favorite actors). Now is a great time to be thinking about your brand and goals for the next year. What changes can your brand make and where is it worth the investment in becoming a more brainy and beloved brand? Keep that in mind as you listen today. Show Notes: [00:41] Today's episode is all about branding — and specifically, on my insights for how to incorporate brain science and behavioral economics insights so you can have a brainy brand that resonates better with your potential customers, clients, members, etc., and is one of those coveted “favorite brands” in the mind of your consumer. [01:26] When your brand is thinking about becoming a beloved “favorite” it is important to think about the experience people have with you, and becoming a favorite is a lot like dating and marriage. [04:14] A brand can take a generic item and turn it into something more.  [05:37] Marketing and branding are not the same things. Marketing is all the one-off things that you do to get your name out there.  [07:45] A brainy brand knows what it is trying to achieve and builds quantitative and qualitative research projects to test, learn, and grow.  [08:26] Truly great marketers (like great scientists) are great questioners. [10:55] Our brain makes associations whether we ask it to or not.  [12:35] Priming is really related if you want to make sure you have a brainy brand. You want to make sure you are associating your brand properly with the right things.  [15:01] It is important to be strategic and thoughtful about what it is you are doing for your company.   [16:51] You need to use the associations of the brain to make it as easy as possible on the customer. Be strategic. Think about how you can make it easy, as well as where they might make an error so you can help them avoid missteps and make the right choice.  [18:31] Above all, a brainy brand knows that everything matters.   [19:47] Brands have personalities just like people and for good reasons. Known personalities create expectations in our brains.   [21:09] Smart brands know the work is never done.   [24:04] Method acting is a lot like business branding because they both require a lot of preparation and understanding of things that may never be brought up. [25:16] Brainy brands know everything about who their brand is as if it were a person or a character.  [26:31] The other important thing to remember if you want a brainy brand is that perception is reality.   [27:28] Brainy brands need to have everyone on board rowing the boat in the right direction.   [28:35] Behavioral economics and other studies of the brain look into why people do the things they do and how to use insight to predict what they might do in the future.   [29:14] Melina's closing thoughts Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Branding that Means Business, by Matt Johnson & Tessa Misiaszek What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Blindsight, by Matt Johnson & Prince Ghuman Contagious, by Jonah Berger How Brands Grow, by Byron Sharp Top Recommended Next Episode: Matt Johnson (episode 227) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Why We Like the Things We Like, with Prince Ghuman, coauthor of Blindsight (episode 172) Peak-End Rule (episode 97) Priming (episode 18) How to Set, Achieve & Exceed Brainy Goals (episode 70) The Power of Habit (episode 22) Availability Bias (episode 15)) Framing (episode 16) Surprise and Delight (episode 60) Reciprocity (episode 23) Disney: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (episode 144) Apple Card: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (episode 42) Starbucks: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (episode 73) Questionstorming at KIND / Mars with Beatrix Daros  (episode 215) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (episode 32) Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (episode 123) Expect Error: The "E" in NUDGES (episode 39) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (episode 63) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  Unconventional Wisdom How to Make Your Content Go Viral Dogs on the Street, Pumas on Your Feet: How Cues in the Environment Influence Product Evaluation and Choice 15 Actors Who Went to Seriously Extreme Measures for a Role HR and Marketing: A Natural Partnership

What does it take for an Emotional Abusive person to change? What do they have to do to change? How did Paul know he had to change? Paul is a Relationship Coach and founder of The Overwhelmed Brain and the Love and Abuse podcasts. He created the MEAN workbook, a 200 point assessment to identify manipulative behavior.We talk through these questions in depth and I give real examples from my story of going through, and healing from, an emotionally abusive relationship. Where you can find Paul:Love and AbuseThe Overwhelmed BrainMEAN WorkbookConnect with me:Emotional Abuse CoachInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachWebsite: Emotional Abuse CoachInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partne...

When life presents unexpected distractions, of course we are never prepared, but instead of having a pity party, we should pull a lesson out of the dust.  Disappointment: First, let's look at the definition of disappointment. Disappointment is feeling unhappy because someone or something was not as good as you hoped or expected. When we feel unhappy because our hopes and expectations are unfulfilled, we experience a feeling of sadness or disappointment.   Overwhelmed: Brain research shows that performance on complex cognitive tasks decays with diffused attention. Interestingly, social media is one of the main reasons people report feeling overwhelmed. Tap in for this discussion.Support the showCheck Out Our Website:

While I was recently in College Station visiting the Human Behavior Lab, I had the joy of meeting Dr. Maddock when he came by to chat with us for a bit. I hadn't met him before, but in learning about his work and research it was clear that we had to do an interview. Thankfully, I had my equipment with me and he had some spare time to talk about some of the incredibly cool stuff he and his team are doing.  Dr. Maddock is a professor in the department of environmental and occupational health at the school of public health at Texas A&M University and is also the co-director of the Center for Health and Nature. He serves on the Brazos County Board of Health. Not to mention he is editor in chief of the Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living. He has authored more than 130 scientific articles which have been cited more than 5000 times, plus his research has been featured on/in The Today Show, BBC, CNN, Eating Well, Prevention and Good Housekeeping and he has given lectures around the world. This isn't even all of his bio, but I wanted to let you know a little bit about this awesomeness before you hear about the cool stuff he is doing. Listen in to hear all about the connection between nature and our health. It is really amazing! Show Notes: [01:16] Dr. Maddock is a professor in the department of environmental and occupational health at the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University and is also the co-director of the Center for Health and Nature. [03:47] Jay shares about his background and what he does. [05:16] They are really looking at how natural environments change health. Spending time in nature really changes your health. [05:59] They are now trying to understand what is the perfect dose of nature and how they can use some of the models to get more people into nature. [07:46] Virtual reality lets us break the senses up. They can do a study experimenting with only one sense.  [08:40] They are trying to figure out the essential pieces of nature that we need for healthy benefits. [09:47] People like different types of nature.  [10:49] The more that we feel we are in the environment, the more effect it has on our physiology.  [11:29] There are so many questions we can answer in virtual reality that would be difficult to do in person.   [12:48] Making environments immersive and interesting is important for people. Being in real nature is always best for us, but since that isn't always possible, it will be great to have other options.  [14:49] How we can integrate nature into our surrounding and environment is important.  [15:55] They have been looking at the effect of travel and nature. So many times when we go on vacation we want to go to some beautiful natural spot, but we also have an effect on the environment.  [17:34] The ability to virtually tour places that are untouched would be really cool.  [18:11] The biggest thing with health and nature is it doesn't work without conservation.  [18:45] One of the other things they have been working on is looking at some of the behavioral theories that we use and how we adopt these to increase people's time in nature.  [21:27] Melina shares her closing thoughts.  [23:53] If you enjoy the experience I've provided here for you, will you share about it? That could mean leaving a rating/review or sharing the episode with a friend (or 10!) Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

Today's episode is an update on all the exciting stuff going on at the Human Behavior Laboratory at Texas A&M University. Last week I was able to spend two full days in the Human Behavior Lab (one of my favorite places in the world if I'm honest) and today's episode is featuring the director of the lab, Dr. Marco Palma.  This is actually his third time being on The Brainy Business podcast. (He might be the first one to do that…?) Since the first time he was on the show (way back in episode 33 when I visited the lab for the first time) we have done so much together, including creating the certificate in Applied Behavioral Economics. I am honored to teach so many amazing courses for that program which has led to relationships and conversations with wonderful people around the world. (Sneak peek! Some of those projects are going to be featured in the coming weeks, and I am very excited to showcase more of my own work in the podcast.) The lab has done tons of experiments since I was there in January 2019 for that first interview, and about 40 of them have been published in the last few years. Don't worry, we won't try to cover all of them today. Instead, Dr. Palma and I selected a choice few that really resonate and can be applicable for listeners like you. Show Notes: [00:52] I spent two full days last week in the Human Behavior Lab at Texas A&M University.  [01:33] Dr. Palma has been on the show before (this is actually his third time – I think he might be the first to do that).  [05:29] There have been many changes since the last time I featured the lab on the show: in terms of the infrastructure, they are hiring new people, and students have graduated and started their own labs.  [06:43] ] One of the fascinating parts about studying human behavior is that we are all, to a certain degree, experts.  [08:26] Marco's tips for choosing between a PhD, masters or a certificate program like the one we have at Texas A&M.  [10:04] It is an exciting time to be at Texas A&M because of all of the different dimensions of human behavior that are being studied from different angles.  [12:05] The lab has done tons of experiments since I (Melina) was there in January of 2019 and about 40 of them have been published. [13:05] Dr. Palma shares about their charitable donations experiment.   [14:20] In the paper they concentrate on matching 1-to-1 versus giving seed money with charitable donations. The matching scheme is supposed to motivate people to give because then their money can go further.  [17:04] The general idea is that matching funds are always a good idea because they encourage others to donate, but as Dr. Palma shows, there could be a negative behavioral message being shared underneath the surface that actually decreases donations in this type of approach.  [19:10] Being able to communicate that a percentage of your money goes directly to the charity goes a long way and is a way to differentiate yourself. You want to be able to stand out and be a high-quality charity.  [20:10] Next Dr. Palma shares about their calorie labeling experiment. In this paper, they are looking at the policies requiring large restaurant chains to display the calorie content of food on food menus. The intention of the policy was for people to realize the number of calories in food and act accordingly in trying to reduce calorie consumption. [22:57] Some studies have shown this works, some show that people don't change their consumption, and others show that they eat more calories when the numbers are shown on the menu. How can all three things be true at one time? Dr. Palma shares about their research and why relativity matters. [24:32] You're not going to change how you eat in response to the calories if you expect something to have a lot of calories because you didn't really learn anything new.   [25:43] It's dependent on the menu you see, your expectations, and realization of reality. In this context you can have scenarios where you increase calorie consumption, you make no changes in calorie consumption, and in which you actually have a reduction which is the intention of the law. [28:32] In another paper they were looking at decision-making under time pressure.  [29:49] Once you have a set (number of choices) we are very good at optimizing the thing that we like the most.  [31:04] However, generating a choice set is very difficult for us to do (businesses should focus on this!). If someone else constructs the choice set for us and gives us a choice among 3-5 options, we are actually pretty good at choosing something that we would probably like. We tend to choose things we value a lot.  [32:15] The less cost we have to invest in making a decision will lead to an increase in satisfaction. Not only is the business going to gain, but the customer is also going to be happier.  [33:00] Making decisions when you are hungry or emotional tends to change the way that we act.  [34:58] In another paper looks at how hunger might change our cognitive capacity.  [36:22] They found there was no difference in the cognitive performance of normal-weight individuals whether they had the option to order food or not. Obese individuals had a lower performance relative to the normal weight individuals so they were more affected by being hungry – unless they were able to pre-order their snack. Why?  [37:51] The obese individuals anticipated the food and the anticipation was enough to increase their cognitive capacity. (It essentially eliminated the negative impacts of feeling hungry.) [39:37] Melina shares her closing thoughts.  [41:44] If you enjoy the experience I've provided here for you, will you share about it? That could mean leaving a rating/review or sharing the episode with a friend (or 10!) Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

Do you feel like you are juggling too many things? Are you wearing ALL the hats? Are you exhausted at the end of the day, but feel like you didn't get anything done? Is the list of things you still need to do running through your head when you lay down at night in bed?  In our recent research interviews with women across the country, one of the daily frustrations many women have is trying to get all the things done that need done in a day. It is hard to get everything accomplished when we are feeling overwhelmed.  This week, Megan Sumrell shares with us tips to take back our schedule and free up our brains. The first step is to move out of our overwhelmed state and Megan tells us exactly how to do that. It is possible to get the things done you need to do without burning ourselves out. Listen in as she gives us a 5 step weekly planning process that will get you on the path to reclaiming your calendar.  Megan Sumrell is a self proclaimed time management expert for overwhelmed women. She is empowering women to achieve Work + Life Harmony through time management and productivity.   You can find Megan on Facebook , Instagram , and all the other places here. Be sure to visit her pages, there are countless tools and tips you can access for free! If you want to work with her one on one, be sure to reach out.   Join the cause and support the fight to end the mental health stigma for as little as $5  •Find all things UTI here: https://linktr.ee/UnqualifiedTherapists  •Get your own Popl digital business card for 20% off! www.popl.com with code UTI  •Starting your own podcast and want an easy and affordable platform? Get your first month FREE by using this link: https://www.podbean.com/UTI •Have a story to share? Contact us here: https://forms.gle/fudAMMXMnrKGXFfTA •Find alternative therapies and items to express yourself here: www.livemagique.com  

Have You Joined Our Text List?! A little birdy told me that you were needing a little bit of hype throughout the week! If that's the case, follow the link below to join our 100% free Kind Mind text list! https://my.community.com/9164e835-c065-49f7-82c5-f525a1272d38 Let's Connect! If you haven't already, I would LOVE to connect with you on Instagram (@emilyandthekindmind). We are on this journey TOGETHER and I want to be able to connect with you on a person level as well as share updates with you about how The Kind Mind is growing and changing! Shoot me a DM, share the podcast with your fellow mindset flexing home fries, and let's get The Kind Mind message into the ear holes of the women that need it! Disclaimer! This podcast episode and it's contents does not serve as a form of professional counseling services or mental health treatment.  Should you need treatment for a mental health condition or psychological crisis, please see help from your doctor or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Today I am very excited to introduce you to Elina Halonen, a behavioral insights strategist who has worked in the space for 15 years and co-founded a London-based insights consultancy working with global brands on branding, communications, and product/service development projects. She has expertise in behavioural analysis & design, consumer insights & market research, Cultural understanding, desk research & trends, branding & marketing strategy, and more.  Today on the show we talk a little about the COM-B and MOVE models, as well as Elina pre-committing to us all that she is going to write a book, called the Behavioural Blueprint! COM-B is for: Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior. MOVE is for: Meanings, Observations, Viewpoints, and Experiences. We dive into what these models mean, a couple of examples, and so many other great topics. Show Notes: [00:40] Today I am very excited to introduce you to Elina Halonen, a behavioral insights strategist who has worked in the space for 15 years and co-founded a London-based insights consultancy working with global companies on branding, communications, and product/service development projects. [03:13] Elina and Melina have been connected on LinkedIn for years and officially meeting for the first time for this interview!  [03:53] Elina shares about herself and her background.  [05:15] For the last couple of years she has worked as an independent consultant and has worked with various research agencies.  [08:02] Tips for starting a business in an emerging market? Find a niche where you can raise awareness for what you do. Some areas are easier than others. Find a way to educate the market. [09:52] You will need a lot of creativity to promote yourself and what you do.  [12:07] If you pick what you are going to do, you have to be all-in on that thing for at least a year to give it a chance to be successful.  [14:55] Elina's first degrees were in marketing and it was always about consumer behavior.  [16:42] All of business is a long game.  [17:22] Give information generously. Make sure you add value to people. [20:31] She works with market research agencies and brings her behavioral science expertise.  [22:19] There are different ways of talking about behavioral science depending on what it is you are doing. It is not one size fits all.   [23:01] When they do a project, they think about the target behavior, what is the business objective, and what behaviors do they want to influence or change.  [25:04] Elina shares her commitment to writing her book, Behavioral Blueprint. Hold her accountable on Twitter. (handles below) [27:51] Melina shares her tips for writing a book, including to break it down and just get started.  [28:39] Break it down into chapters and look at what content you already have that fits that information and start segmenting it in.  [31:34] Bringing cultural psychology into behavioral change is becoming increasingly important.  [33:45] She has an intuitive process of looking at things in a certain way that is her Behavioral Blueprint.  [35:02] Start by looking at the situation and accessing what you are up against. [35:44] She is a big fan of the COM-B model: Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior. [36:46] There is a huge amount of context that applied behavioral science often ignores.  [39:11] When she is analyzing or trying to organize things she likes to make it logical.  [41:54] Solving the wrong problem is very common and very human. Not spending enough time identifying the problem is the biggest mistake Melina sees companies make.  [43:37] Elina shares her blog post that she wrote about Netflix solving the wrong problem.  [45:10] Everything you do has an opportunity cost. We need to be sure we are solving the right problem first. It is the foundation of everything we do.  [48:03] We need to understand someone's logic empathically, putting ourselves in their shoes before we try to change their behavior.  [50:53] There are just some ways of spending money that is socially acceptable and some that aren't.  [51:15] Never assume you understand why someone does something because you don't.  [53:45] It's not about you, it's about the audience. Could it help someone else? [54:35] Melina shares her closing thoughts.  [56:19] If you enjoy the experience I've provided here for you, will you share about it? That could mean leaving a rating/review or sharing the episode with a friend (or 10!) Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

Today I am very excited to introduce you to Dr. Kurt Nelson, one of the cohosts of Behavioral Grooves as well as the president and founder of The Lantern Group.  In our conversation today we dig into motivation and incentivizing people at work and how to align that with your company strategy. We discuss how simple, seemingly “obvious” things can cause miscommunications so easily, like the word “grooves” in Behavioral Grooves. Tim and Kurt had many conversations about the name and agreed to it and were doing their first interview when they realized they had totally different ideas of that context - ha! Listen in to hear the full story. Kurt also shares his top podcasting tips and advice for anyone thinking about starting their own show. He shares so many great insights in our conversation, you definitely want to make sure to listen in.  Show Notes: [00:41] Today I am very excited to introduce you to Dr. Kurt Nelson, one of the cohosts of Behavioral Grooves as well as the president and founder of The Lantern Group. [02:17] Recently, Tim and Kurt did a session in the BE Thoughtful Revolution - watch the replay. [03:26] Kurt shares about himself and his background. He is a behavioral scientist and he has been working in the field for 20+ years.  [05:04] Discussion on the music piece of Behavioral Grooves (and an interesting miscommunication that can teach you about business).  [07:43] There are over 260 episodes of the Behavioral Grooves podcast.    [09:34] Melina believes that Abbey Road by The Beatles is the greatest album ever.  [12:25] Sometimes we get constrained by our own knowledge. The idea of not knowing allows you to be more expansive in your thoughts about what could be. [13:40] People get limited not only by their expertise, but also by their history. [15:33] The interesting piece about business and the world is that it is constantly evolving, shifting, and changing. What worked last year might not work this year. The context changes by company and year.   [17:31] Co-hosts work on a podcast if you have a clear understanding and respect for each other. You also need to have an understanding of who is doing different roles.  [18:59] Consistency is key!  [20:18] As a host you have to bring a unique perspective to the story they are telling and ask them the right questions.  [22:04] A lot of the work Kurt does focuses on applying a behavioral science lens inside of organizations and trying to help the company understand the drivers of an employee's behavior and the motivation behind that behavior. They usually start with a behavioral audit.  [24:06] A big gap is almost always communication. You can have the best incentive plan, total rewards, and structure in place, but if people don't understand it or buy into it, you are missing a big opportunity. [26:27] Kurt shares two of his corporate projects. They looked at the current programs they had in place and what behaviors they were driving.  [28:26] Companies want the behaviors the incentive plans and rewards programs are driving to align with the company strategy.  [29:03] The pandemic has been a real game-changer for many organizations.  [30:14] You need to treat your employees as humans. Understand what you can do as a manager to allow that human-centeredness of your employees to really be there and that you are bringing in the elements of listening, care, empathy, and concern.  [32:19] Understanding incentives becomes even more important when people are working remotely.  [32:39] The incentives need to match the audience you are currently trying to appeal to.   [34:43] That alignment with your incentives and your audience might mean you might have to exclude a certain group of people. [35:47] Get the philosophy aligned with where you want to go before you even start to think about the specifics of how your rewards, incentives, and communication all go into play.  [36:50] In business we often think we are on the same page, but there are so many different perspectives that didn't even come into your brain.  [39:03] There is a real value of bringing someone in that isn't a part of the organization to do some of this work.  [41:47] Melina shares her closing thoughts.  [42:22] Join my free community, the BE Thoughtful Revolution. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

Today I am very excited to introduce you to Dr. Ayelet Fishbach. She is the Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the past president of the Society for the Study of Motivation and the International Social Cognition Network (ISCON). She is an expert on motivation and decision making and the author of the brand new book, which just released this week called Get it Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation.   Of course, Ayelet's insights are valuable all year round, but it is very much intentional to have this as the first episode of the year. This really is the time of year where people are thinking about goals and motivation. Your New Year's resolutions are still hopefully intact, and you can increase your chances of meeting and exceeding them with these insights from Ayelet. Regardless of when you listen, it's always a good opportunity to set and achieve a new goal. After all, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.

Have you ever felt completely lost in your life? Like you didn't know what you were "supposed" to do, who you should be as a person, and what your true passion was? You can't see it, but I'm raising both hands at that! I spent my teens and twenties in a state of confusion about all of those things. And truth be told, the fog is still lifting, as I'm constantly getting to know myself better and learning what it truly means to trust my intuition. In today's episode I'm sharing the mic with Paul Colaianni - personal empowerment coach and host of The Overwhelmed Brain Podcast. Paul and I talk about introversion and finding your way in life. The topic comes by way of a listener email. In this case, a listener of Paul's podcast The Overwhelmed Brain reached out to him for advice. What you're hearing on today's show is me joining Paul on his podcast to answer his listener question. If you consider yourself an introvert, have felt lost in life, have never really felt like you know who you should be as a person, and feel like you're lacking direction, then this is an episode to tune into! Resources from this episode: Paul's podcast and website: https://theoverwhelmedbrain.com/ My free tool for you, the Abundant Loving Life Quiz (formerly the Abundance Benchmark): https://www.matthewbivens.com/quiz/ If you want to get in touch with me to ask questions, give feedback, or inquire about my coaching offerings, shoot me an email at matthew@matthewbivens.com.

I know you have a lot of options for what to listen to, and I'm glad you chose The Brainy Business. Especially because (as you'll hear about on today's episode), due to the paradox of choice, having too many options and decisions can leave people paralyzed instead of empowered. That paralysis can make it so people don't make any decision at all, so you stick with the status quo of scrolling Instagram or playing a game on your phone. With over 2 million podcasts out there to compete with (plus all the YouTube channels, Netflix, and other streaming services, music options like Spotify and Pandora), plus games and email, and...well you get the idea...There are a lot of options out there that could have made tuning in a very complicated choice. In today's episode, I will tell you all about the paradox of choice: what it is, and why it matters for you in life and in business (including some tips for creating and presenting options to your current and potential customers). Show Notes: [00:06] Today's behavioral economics foundations episode is about the paradox of choice. [03:02] As I mentioned in the introduction, the paradox of choice is a term and concept popularized by Barry Schwartz, whose book and popular TED talk have been shared around the world. [04:42] When presented with too many choices (like we have in most societies today) people become paralyzed, stressed, and feel stuck. It can cause mental anguish and regret. Some choices are good, but too much and we are definitely worse off. [05:24] The really important thing to know is that adding some choice is important. Because we humans can't value one-off items, having at least some choice and comparison helps us to make a decision and feel good about it, but too many and we get overwhelmed. [07:15] When there are too many choices, our brains get overloaded. [09:41] It is easier to stick with what we have always done than to look for something that may or may not be better.  [11:42] Your subconscious is dealing with this sort of letdown constantly. It can get very taxing over time and it's no wonder our brains rebel at the idea of evaluating too many options. [13:14] In a world where there is always another option, always a list of potential matches and the feeling that (much like the pair of jeans) perfection is “just one search away”...it can be hard to settle even when the choice is something you would be incredibly happy with. That constant thought of “what if” can be too much for many to bear. [13:53] Anticipated regret can have a huge impact on behavior. We want to choose wisely and, frustratingly, this pursuit of perfection (or even just a little bit better) can cause us to make worse decisions. [15:02] The important thing to know is that while it seems like lots of choice and infinite options would make us happier (increasing our freedom and wellbeing to use the terms from earlier) that just isn't how it works. [17:12] A maximizer is always looking for the best of the best. They want to make sure that they choose whatever is objectively the best there is every single time. That anyone else could look at and know that it is conclusively “the best choice”. [17:28] Satisficers are people who find something that is “good enough” and feel satisfied with that choice. Once satisficers find something they are happy with, they are good to go and don't necessarily dwell on “what might have been” too much. Even if there was a better option out there you could have made, you are subjectively happy and therefore at peace with the decision. [20:04] For maximizers (like my husband), these details are vital pieces of information needed to make a decision, and for satisficers (like me), it is just too much to think about. [22:45] The first tip is to choose when to choose. If you only save the big evaluation for the really important stuff, it will help you have that mental capacity when you need it and not be so stressed and overwhelmed with the small stuff. [24:07] Don't waste a bunch of mental energy on decisions that don't matter. Be happy with good enough whenever you can, so you can have more mental energy when you need it. [24:22] The next tip, which is to become a chooser, not a picker. [25:27] The next tip is to satisfice more and maximize less. As you just heard, satisficers are happier, less stressed, less regretful, and so much more. Good enough is often good enough. [25:58] Think about the costs of missed opportunities. In short, you should look for the balance of thinking of missed opportunities. [26:20] Next is to make your decisions nonreversible. If you aren't able to “what if” you are more likely to be happier with a choice you made because you won't dwell on it. [26:31] Practice an attitude of gratitude. There are lots of studies that find we are happier and better off when we appreciate what we have. Be grateful for everything you have in your life [27:05] Regret less. If you don't think about choices you have made after the fact and don't allow regret to control you, it will allow you to be happier overall. [27:19] Anticipate adaptation. We naturally adapt to any situation – plan accordingly to avoid constantly chasing the next high. [27:53] Control expectations. When there are too many choices, the expectations for something to be perfect are far too high, and because nothing can really live up to that standard, you end up with a recipe for always being disappointed with items not meeting unrealistic expectations [28:21] Curtail social comparison. What is your happiness worth and how do things change if you add that into your evaluation? Eliminating social comparisons can help with that. [29:11] His last tip is to learn to embrace constraints. Limiting options and reducing possible choices can help you to fulfill these other tips on the list. Embrace the idea of constraints and set up some firm rules for yourself to follow around choice. You will be surprised about how they help your mental state. [30:30] NOW, my tips for business applications (which are different than on an individual level. First, is to know that people are generally overwhelmed with all the decisions they are having to make every day. [31:00] You also want to really consider what choice they are making and what the defaults are. [33:15] When someone asks for your recommendation – give it, and don't provide more than two options. Be enthusiastic about it, explaining a little of why you like it to prime them for excitement. [34:56] To summarize, you are going to limit the options you present and show that you are the expert (and did the heavy lifting for them) by making recommendations and helping work with those herding instincts by including some social proof. [35:25] If you implement your social proof and relativity and structure the decision well, it can make a decision easier without people getting so overwhelmed that they walk out. They can feel like there are a lot of options, but you can still nudge and guide them along the way to reduce the number of decisions and make them easier. I'm calling this the “illusion of choice.” [37:42] Consider the customer experience – who is searching? What problem are they solving? What is the best solution? How can you make it obvious that it is the best choice for most people to help them decide? [39:17] Melina's award-winning first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You is available on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and Booktopia. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! More from The Brainy Business:

Paul answers the following questions:1. Question: What are signs of emotional abuse? 
2. Question: Is it easy to recognize these signs of emotional abuse while you are in a relationship? 3. Question: How do you know when it's time to leave a relationship? 4. Question: Why do we fear being single? 5. Question: What are the components of a healthy relationship? 6. Question: What tips do you have for empowerment? Below are the links to Paul Colaianni's website and podcast: https://theoverwhelmedbrain.com and https://loveandabuse.comThank you Neutrin05's Longing for the podcast soundtrack

Best-selling author and Personal Empowerment Coach Paul Colaianni is the host of the top-rated personal growth and development podcast called The Overwhelmed Brain. Having gone through a dysfunctional upbringing, many failed relationships, and several life-changing events including a breakdown in the desert a thousand miles from home, Paul started a journey of healing and growth that led him to where he is today: teaching others how to make the right decisions that lead to self-empowerment.

Paul Colaianni is a brave, open and honest personal coach and podcaster who is committed to helping others lead better lives. He's the creator of The Overwhelmed Brain (TOB) podcast and blog which receives thousands of downloads and views every day. Paul had always been a dedicated 9-to-5'er until 2013, when as an IT sub-contractor he became fed up with his employer's broken promises of hiring him on full-time. At the same time, his relationship with his wife was on the rocks. With a career not on track and a wife about to leave him, Paul came to the conclusion that, “The only way that I can have confidence in anything in life is if I do it myself.” This realization put him on a crash course into entrepreneurship, something he knew nothing about at the time. Paul was unsure of what subject to tackle, until he gained some valuable insight from a professional podcaster who said that if you're going to be a podcaster, talk about the things you could talk about for hours on end without getting bored. Great insight! Paul had always enjoyed giving advice to his friends and colleagues, advice which was often very helpful and appreciated. He figured he could help more than one person at a time, and coupled with his love of radio and podcasting, he created TOB. ‘The Overwhelmed Brain' is a term used for something we all deal with in this day and age. Paul is now helping thousands of people every day through his podcast and blog, where he gives away everything he knows, for free. Paul's coaching differs from many other life coaches out there in that he targets people like him who feel that affirmations and positive thinking don't always work. We use affirmations to change our inner dialogue and the goal is to consciously change our programming. But, one of the problems with affirmations is that sometimes we can feel like frauds when we're saying them to ourselves. “I'm a super intelligent person” really doesn't work for someone who feels stupid. A better affirmation would be, “I feel stupid, but I'm trying to get smarter and educate myself.” When you're looking to hire a coach of your own, Paul recommends two points of advice: Choose a coach that doesn't intimidate you, one that allows you to express yourself, to be yourself and that you connect with. Follow through and take action. Act on the changes they recommend no matter the uncomfortable feelings their advice triggers. The resistance you feel to these triggers are a sign that the coach is leading you in the right direction. As a coach, Paul doesn't really set out any guidelines or boundaries for his students. This allows the student to express themselves, and it gives him the freedom to catch points of interest as they speak, points that can lead to breakthroughs in the problems the student is facing. To Paul, being bold is forging ahead without fear of the consequences. When you fear the consequences, you make decisions based on that fear. Eliminating the fear allows you to move forward. I really enjoyed my time today with Paul and I know you'll learn much from our insightful discussion.   SOME QUESTIONS I ASK: How did Paul come up with The Overwhelmed Brain? What's an example of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) that our listeners can takeaway and apply in their own lives? Are there any books or courses that he'd recommend for NLP? What tips or advice would Paul give to anyone looking to hire a coach? How did he market his podcast to get such tremendous growth?   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: What NLP is and how Paul uses it with coaching clients. How his methods of coaching differs from others based on the idea of “put away your crystals and throw your affirmations in the junk drawer and believe it's okay to not think positively all the time.” The tips he gives his audience that are different than the positive thinking and affirmations route. How sensory perceptions are tied to memories and emotions Some transformations that Paul has affected through his teachings and podcast Plus much more…   DON'T STOP HERE… The Overwhelmed Brain: Website | iTunes | Amazon   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Bennett Stellar University: Website Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn: Website Milton H. Erickson: Amazon  

Paul Colaianni helps you discover why you do the things you do, and what you can do to reach higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress and overwhelm. His ultimate goal is to help you become empowered so that you can create the life you want and make decisions that are right for you. This is done through the podcast, articles, books, worksheets and one-on-one coaching. Today on The Game Changer Podcast, I speak with Paul Colaianni about this topic. He is the host of the podcast and website, The Overwhelmed Brain, and has certainly had his share of relationship setbacks. In this conversation, we talk about the ending of a heart breaking relationship, and not realizing we are taking that depression into the next one. You see when someone is on the outside trying to look into the window of our soul, if we haven't done the necessary cleaning, it is impossible for them to see into who we really are. And every time someone says, “I will be happy when I find the right person,” what we are really saying is, “I want to find someone who can clean the inside of my window.” And the truth is, that work can ONLY be done by us. Join us for a conversation about how to really deal with our emotions and feelings so that we can have the relationship we deserve… the one with ourselves. How to find Paul: www.theoverwhelmedbrain.com Here you can find the podcast, ebooks, and coaching. Best advice: Whatever fear of consequences you have, get over them. It's not about what might happen if you do something, it's what might happen if you don't do something. Honor your emotional core. The one thing you believe to be true: I will never know everything. For the blog on this interview go to: www.innernorthstar.com