Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement

Cal Newport of the Study Hacks blog discusses doing what it takes versus taking what you already know how to do. Episode 1030: Doing What it Takes Versus Taking What You Already Know How to Do by Cal Newport Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, who specializes in the theory of distributed algorithms. He previously earned his Ph. D. from MIT in 2009 an...

Chloe Kunstler with Tiny Buddha shares a reason to feel less anxious during times of transition. Episode 1029: A Reason to Feel Less Anxious During Times of Transition by Chloe Kunstler with Tiny Buddha (Anxiety & Optimism) Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha and Recreate Your Life Story, an online course that helps you let go of the past and live a life you love. Her latest book: Tiny Bud...

Ryan Holiday shares how to practice the stoic art of negative visualization. Episode 1028: Practice The Stoic Art of Negative Visualization by Ryan Holiday (Stoicism & Planning for Success & Discipline) Ryan Holiday is a writer and media strategist whose creative agency, Brass Check, has advised Google, TASER, and Complex as well as bestselling authors like Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, and Neil Stra...

Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist shares lessons for life that he learned from his first marathon. Episode 1027: 12 Lessons for Life from My First Marathon by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist (Minimalism & Inspiration) Joshua Becker and his family decided to live with fewer possessions after a conversation with his neighbor in 2008. As a result, they found a better way to live, centered on...

Chris Guillebeau shares how to fall down and get back up again. Episode 1026: How To Fall Down and Get Back Up Again by Chris Guillebeau (Perserverance & Overcoming Fear & Growing Stronger) Chris Guillebeau is a New York Times bestselling author and modern-day explorer. He is the author of 5 books and his daily podcast, Side Hustle School, is downloaded more than 2 million times a month. Every sum...

Anthony Ongaro of Break the Twitch shares three places to put away the smartphone. Episode 1025: Three Places To Put Away The Smartphone by Anthony Ongaro of Break The Twitch (Mindfulness Practice & Minimalism) After years of impulse spending on Amazon and elsewhere, Anthony Ongaro realized that his one-click purchase habits were more of a physical Twitch than an intentional action. It turned out,...

J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly shares his thoughts on the paradox of choice and the dangers of perfection. Episode 1024: The Paradox of Choice and the Dangers of Perfection by JD Roth of Get Rich Slowly (Personal Development & Habits) J.D. Roth has been reading and writing about personal finance for a decade. Today he’s financially independent, but ten years ago, his money life was a disaster, with...

Helene Massicotte of Free To Pursue shares her thoughts on people living with untold burdens. Episode 1023: You Just Never Know by Helene Massicotte (Dealing with Death and Adversity & Overcoming Depression & Anxiety) Helene Massicotte blogs about living life on your terms and experiencing true personal freedom. She describes herself as a person in search of all that life has to offer and who has...

2 short posts from Allison Carmen where she asks why it is so tough to be a positive thinker and discusses the stuff that really matters. Episode 1022: Why Is It So Tough To Be A Positive Thinker AND The Stuff That Really Matters by Allison Carmen (Happiness) Allison Carmen holds a B.A. in accounting, a J.D. of Law, and a Master’s of Law in taxation. After working for a large law firm in Manhattan...

Steve Pavlina shares his thoughts on emotional mastery. Episode 1021: Emotional Mastery by Steve Pavlina (Overcoming Fear & Motivation Tips & Inspiration to Improve & Reach Potential) Steve Pavlina is widely recognized as one of the most successful personal development bloggers on the Internet, with his work attracting more than 100 million visits to his website, StevePavlina.com. He has written m...

Benjamin Hardy shares 2 quotes that will reshape your approach to life. Episode 1020: 2 Quotes That Will Reshape Your Approach To Life by Benjamin Hardy (Power of Desire & Reaching True Potential) Benjamin Hardy has been the top writer on Medium.com since late 2015. He focuses on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. His writing is fueled by his personal experiences, self-directed ed...

Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle shares his thoughts on personality tests. Episode 1019: The Tests Who Think They Know Me by Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle (Personal Development & Inspiration & Improve) Colin Wright is a professional author and international speaker who co-founded a publishing company and travels full-time, moving to a new country every four months or so--that country determined b...

Mr. Money Mustache shares why you can't cure obesity with bigger pants. Episode 1018: You Can't Cure Obesity with Bigger Pants by Mr. Money Mustache (Procrastination and Motivation & Self Discipline) Mr. Money Mustache is a thirty-something retiree who now writes about how we can all live a frugal, yet awesome, life of leisure. He and his wife studied engineering and computer science in Canada, th...

Jason Lengstorf with Roman Fitness Systems shares why your excuse is invalid. This is part 2 of 2. Episode 1017: [Part 2] Your Excuse Is Invalid by Jason Lengstorf with Roman Fitness Systems (Habits & Positive Growth Mindset) RFS originally began as a personal training company servicing the NYC Metro area back in 2003. Through that company, Roman coached everyone from professional athletes to acto...

Jason Lengstorf with Roman Fitness Systems shares why your excuse is invalid. This is part 1 of 2. Episode 1016: [Part 1] Your Excuse Is Invalid by Jason Lengstorf with Roman Fitness Systems (Personal Development & Growth Blog) RFS originally began as a personal training company servicing the NYC Metro area back in 2003. Through that company, Roman coached everyone from professional athletes to ac...

Chalene Johnson of Build Your Tribe shares 5 essentials for creating a to-do list for your successful future. Episode 1015: 5 Essentials for Creating A To-Do List For Your Successful Future by Chalene Johnson (Productivity & Task Lists) Chalene Johnson is a world-renowned motivational speaker with more than 30 years as a health expert. She is a New York Times best-selling author, health and lifest...

Leo Babauta of Zen Habits shares the habits of happiness. Episode 1014: The Habits of Happiness by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits (Follow Your Passion & Pursuing Dreams & Self Discipline) Leo Babauta created Zen Habits, which is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find ha...

T.K. Coleman shares something that he never wants to lose. Episode 1013: Something I Never Want to Lose by TK Coleman (Self Help & Inspiring & Appreciation for Life & Finding Happiness) T.K. Coleman is the Co-Founder & Education Director of Praxis. He is a prolific writer and speaker with a singular mission: to awaken people to their own creative power. Sounds cheesy, but TK listens to Christmas m...

2 short posts from James Altucher where he shares the most important choice you can make and asks if you are the exception or the rule. Episode 1012: The Most Important Choice You Can Make AND Are You The Exception or The Rule by James Altucher (Willpower Habits) James Altucher is an American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and podcaster. He has founded or cofounded more than...

Anthony Ongaro with No Sidebar shares 5 ways to live more intentionally. Episode 1011: 5 Ways to Live More Intentionally by Anthony Ongaro with No Sidebar (Minimalism & Simple Living & Mindfulness) No Sidebar was created by Brian Gardner and is all about designing a simpler life. He and the contributing authors want to help you figure out what's getting in your way, at home and at work. They want...

Jesse Syswerda with Be More With Less shares how to buy less and create the best wardrobe you've ever had. Episode 1010: How to Buy Less And Create the Best Wardrobe You've Ever Had by Jesse Syswerda with Be More With Less (Minimalist) Courtney Carver was stopped in her tracks with a scary MS diagnosis after decades of debt, discontent, and trying to do it all. She had to slow down, prioritize her...

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You to be Rich shares why goal setting is dead and what you should do instead. Episode 1009: Goal Setting is Dead. Do This Instead by Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich (How to Build Habit Momentum) Ramit wants to use money to say YES. He knew there was a better way to live a rich life—if we could use psychology to focus on what actually works. Not just for pers...

Tynan shares how he creates plans that can't fail. Episode 1008: Plans Which Can't Fail by Tynan of Tynan.com (Personal Development & Self Help for Productivity & Happiness). Tynan was named as one of the top 25 best bloggers in 2013 by Time Magazine. He believes in making deliberate decisions and breaking away from the herd mentality. He likes learning new things, building habits, exposing the wo...

Justin shares some big announcements and answers listener questions. Episode 1007: Big Announcements, Questions & Answers, and Checking in with Justin. Check out our new shows (simply search for them in your favorite podcast app): Date Us Self Obsessed with Jeff Grace Thank you to all the contributors who have kept me going for over 1000 episodes! To contribute (even $1/month helps!), visit: OLDPo...

Chalene Johnson takes over this special episode. Episode 1006: Chalene Johnson of The Chalene Show & Build Your Tribe Podcasts Takes Over Chalene Johnson is a world-renowned motivational speaker with more than 30 years as a health expert. She is a New York Times best-selling author, health and lifestyle expert, and top health podcaster with over 20 million downloads of The Chalene Show. Tens of mi...