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109 - How (and Why) to Spend Some Time Alone in Your Head

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Manage episode 471138441 series 3583364
Content provided by The Growth Equation, Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The Growth Equation, Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." The French philosopher Blaise Pascal said this in 1654. A study published in 2014 found this to be true: many subjects chose to administer an electric shock to themselves rather than sit alone with their thoughts. It's a universal difficulty being with the discomfort that sometimes bubbles up out of our own brains, be it boredom or anxiety. But it's often on the other side of this difficulty that we find our most creative breakthroughs. Plus, achieving excellence in any craft requires an ability to negotiate with the negative voice in your head. So today, we go deep on strategies for mastering the art of solitude, detailing our own struggles with it and the tools we use when we feel the urge to short-circuit mental discomfort by reaching for a distraction.


Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!

https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/


Now offering up to $5 for ideas, questions, or guests that make it onto the show. Email Clay at the [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503


If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  continue reading

307 episodes

Artwork
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Manage episode 471138441 series 3583364
Content provided by The Growth Equation, Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The Growth Equation, Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." The French philosopher Blaise Pascal said this in 1654. A study published in 2014 found this to be true: many subjects chose to administer an electric shock to themselves rather than sit alone with their thoughts. It's a universal difficulty being with the discomfort that sometimes bubbles up out of our own brains, be it boredom or anxiety. But it's often on the other side of this difficulty that we find our most creative breakthroughs. Plus, achieving excellence in any craft requires an ability to negotiate with the negative voice in your head. So today, we go deep on strategies for mastering the art of solitude, detailing our own struggles with it and the tools we use when we feel the urge to short-circuit mental discomfort by reaching for a distraction.


Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!

https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/


Now offering up to $5 for ideas, questions, or guests that make it onto the show. Email Clay at the [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503


If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  continue reading

307 episodes

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