3836: 5 Questions to Simplify Your Life During the Holidays by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on Simple Holidays

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3837: Brendan Kane shares how he transformed his mindset and elevated his happiness by using everyday technology like his iPhone and iPad. Through simple, intentional habits, thinking big, practicing daily gratitude, and visualizing his dreams, he reprogrammed his perspective and created a more fulfilling life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/2013/10/5-ways-to-use-your-tech-habits-for-good.html Quotes to ponder: "Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life." "We all have the power to change our lives and find happiness." "Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you." Episode references: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Principles-TM-Where-Are/dp/0062364286 Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3836: Leo Babauta invites us to rethink the chaos of the holiday season with five powerful questions that uncover what truly matters. By examining our attachments, limits, and priorities, we can trade stress and overcommitment for clarity, calm, and deeper connection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/simple-holidays Quotes to ponder: "What are you striving for right now? You can tell what it is by what’s stressing you out, what’s been occupying your mind, what fills your life with things to do." "What if you only limited your plate to five things? You’d have more space, more focus, more enjoyment." "Spending time with friends and loved ones is the best way to use your holiday time." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3835: Skylar Liberty Rose challenges the cultural obsession with wealth and status by sharing five personal, transformative shifts that redefined success in her life. Through mindful practices like prioritizing health, embracing gratitude, and letting go of external validation, she shows how true fulfillment comes from living in alignment with your values, not your bank balance. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/its-not-all-about-money-5-ways-to-redefine-success/ Quotes to ponder: "Relentlessly pursuing a materialistic ideal is a breeding ground for anxiety and stress." "Success isn’t how many Facebook friends we have or how many people pressed like on our post." "When we truly appreciate what we have and make gratitude our starting point, we are far less likely to worry about what we don’t have." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3834: Marc Chernoff weaves together two powerful reflections on living with courage and compassion, reminding us that life’s most meaningful moments often require us to step beyond fear and into authenticity. Whether it’s stumbling through your truth or offering quiet presence to a stranger in need, every hour holds the potential to leave a lasting impact. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2009/03/24/what-is-the-value-of-an-hour/⁠ & https://www.marcandangel.com/2009/12/07/i-would-rather-sound-stupid/ Quotes to ponder: "Our lives are measured by the value we provide to others. This value arises from the things we spend our time doing." "Clarity and progression occur with enduring love, passion, and patience." "Impossible is simply a mindset, something we get when we haven’t trained our minds and our hearts to see past the systems that currently exist to ones that don’t yet exist." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3833: ESI shares how small, consistent actions taken daily can lead to major achievements over time, whether in wealth building, health, relationships, or personal goals. By breaking big dreams into manageable steps and tracking progress, you can transform long-term aspirations into real, measurable success. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://esimoney.com/make-small-progress-every-day/ Quotes to ponder: "It’s not much each day, but slow, steady progress adds up big-time over a long period of time." "Any goal you have (within reason) is achievable if you follow one simple rule." "You have to work at it over a long period of time, do something regularly and make a bit of progress every day." Episode references: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.amazon.com/7-Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/1982137274 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3832: Marc Bilodeau emphasizes the power of building an "external brain" using tools like calendars, notepads, and email clients to free up mental bandwidth and reduce overwhelm. By offloading to-dos and appointments into reliable systems, you can think more clearly, manage life more effectively, and stay open to unexpected opportunities. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcbilodeau.com/brain/ Quotes to ponder: "Our memories aren’t as good as we think. Therefore, an external brain becomes a critical everyday tool." "An unmanaged inbox is hard to navigate. It’s cluttered and mentally overwhelming." "Action items should either be put on the calendar, in the notepad, or moved to a special folder to follow up at a later time." Episode references: Evernote: https://evernote.com Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3831: Dr. Benjamin Hardy challenges readers to stop avoiding discomfort and instead embrace difficult emotions as the gateway to meaningful growth and identity transformation. By consistently acting despite fear, resistance, or insecurity, you build real confidence and create a life driven by courage, clarity, and purpose. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/@benjaminhardy/how-to-deal-with-uncomfortable-emotions-and-reshape-your-identity-58142db8cfd4 Quotes to ponder: "Pain, discomfort, shock, boredom, impostor syndrome, awkwardness, fear, being wrong, failing, ignorance, looking stupid, your avoidance of these feelings is stopping you from a life beyond your wildest imagination." "Confidence is an effect, not a cause. Identity is an effect, not a cause." "You just need to walk past the emotional wall, the electrical fence, which paralyzes and imprisons 99% of people." Episode references: Relentless by Tim Grover: https://www.amazon.com/Relentless-Unstoppable-Tim-S-Grover/dp/1476714207 Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Titans-Billionaires-World-Class-Performers/dp/1328683788 Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3830: Richard Paterson explores the surprising truth that peace isn’t something you need to achieve through mental stillness or perfect conditions, it’s already within you. Even in the midst of emotional turmoil, moments of deep presence or focus can effortlessly uncover the peace that’s always been there. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thinklessandgrowrich.com/peaceful-mind/ Quotes to ponder: "You don’t need to have a peaceful mind to experience peace. Peace happens naturally when the mind subsides." "Peace never leaves you. You leave peace." "When you give your full attention to the present moment, thinking temporarily stops  and, in the absence of thinking, what remains is peace." Episode references: I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj: https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-That-Nisargadatta-Maharaj/dp/0893860220 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3829: Dr. Lisa Lewis unpacks how common, and human, negative self-talk really is, then lays out four simple, science-backed strategies to disrupt those thoughts before they sabotage your goals. With practical reframing techniques and present-moment focus, this guide offers a clear path to stop spiraling and start showing up stronger, in your workouts, your work, and your mindset. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://markfisherfitness.com/combat-negative-thinking/ Quotes to ponder: "Remind yourself, 'It’s a feeling, not a fact.'" "Repetition fosters habits and shapes beliefs." "Negative thoughts about your career, your appearance, your life, and your self are common." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3828: Chalene Johnson shares four refreshing ways to cut through holiday chaos and reconnect with what really matters. By learning to say no, delegate tasks, and let go of outdated expectations, you’ll create more space for joy, reflection, and meaningful connection this season. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/how-to-minimize-holiday-stress/ Quotes to ponder: "We all have so much going on in December. How about we spend this time with our loved ones and pick this up again in the New Year?" "It’s the thought that counts! Not the time you spent going to the store and wrapping it." "If it doesn’t actually bring you joy and feels like more of a burden, just drop it!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices