371. The psychology of success

What makes some people successful and others, not? Is it a singular trait, habits, or just luck? In this episode, we break down the psychology and research behind success and what drives successful individuals to become the people they are. This includes: •        Objective vs subjective measures of success•        The role of the self-determination theory in guiding success•        How to find success that is meaningful to you•        The 5 habits of successful people•        Developing an identity beyond traditional success Listen now! ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the start of every year, I choose a theme - not just goals, but a guiding philosophy. For 2026, that theme is doing less and achieving more. In this episode, we explore why focus beats busyness, why saying no creates better outcomes, and how choosing depth over overwhelm can actually lead to more success.  Our discussion includes:  Why a yearly theme is more powerful than traditional goals The psychology of intrinsic motivation The importance of  focused vs. scattered effort How to choose 1–2 true priorities for the year The surprising psychology of rest How to plan a year that feels intentional, not exhausting Happy listening!  ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final guest episode for the year, we're hearing from the listeners! I asked you all to call in with the biggest dilemmas you've had in your 20s; questions you want answered, or just situations where you may have been desperate for advice and you answered the call! We answer 7 of your most burning questions, including: How do I end a friendship in my 20s How do I get my life back after an ex  How do I deal with disappointing my family  How do I feel at home in a new city  How do I deal with someone who doesn't like me?  Listen now for all the psychological advice and wisdom you need during this decade. ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Find your dream job in your 20s is no easy feat, in fact your dream job probably doesn't exist, but you CAN determine what kind of career path is best for you based on your personality. Today we have on George Appling whose research on the 5 career paths can help us determine where to next! Our discussion includes:  The five main career paths and what they entail When should you pursue your passion & when should you pursue financial stability? Why money doesn’t always make us happier The necessary role of failure and experimentation when finding purpose How to become a “passionpreneur” What Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran & Matthew McConaughey have in common that makes them successful? Plus so much more, listen now!  Find George's quiz HERE  ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money and love: the two things we stress about most in our twenties, and yet we rarely talk about how deeply connected they are. In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Howard, Head of Money Wellness at Ally, to unpack the psychology of money in our relationships and how it shapes who we date, how we fight, and how we build a life together. In this episode, we explore: Why money and love are so deeply linked Spender vs. saver dynamics and why opposites so often attract Why we emotionally spend? What’s the deal with prenups? Is it worth having an expensive wedding? When to get joint bank accounts? How to talk about money WELL! If you’ve ever argued about money with a partner, avoided talking about it, or worried you’re “bad” with finances, this episode will give you language, tools, and a lot of reassurance that you’re not alone. Take the course HERE   ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm officially a UK resident! My thoughts on moving and this exciting new chapter for the podcast x ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can feel like both a relief and a reckoning. Suddenly your past makes so much more sense… but now you’re faced with learning a whole new way of managing your brain, your time, your relationships and your self-worth. In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Wang, founder and CEO of Shimmer, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 28. Together we unpack what ADHD really looks like in your twenties, including: The three ADHD subtypes and why women are so often missed How late diagnosis can completely rewrite your identity (in a good way) Why traditional productivity advice often fails ADHD brains  The role of urgency, novelty and accountability What actually is rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD)? What ADHD–ADHD relationships can look like vs ADHD–neurotypical dynamics? If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I just suck at being an adult, or is my brain wired differently?”, this episode is for you. Find Shimmer HERE  Follow Chris HERE   ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something we may not know is that relationships typically follow a fairly similar life cycle. Author and relationship expert, Thais Gibson has articulated this idea in her new theory on the 6 stages of relationships, and how to know which you're in and when to break away. We discuss: How long should you date before you ask for a label? Why the honeymoon phase can’t last (and why that’s a good thing) Why does every couple need to have that one “big” fight? Why do so many couples break up at the 2-3 year mark? When do you know someone is right for you for the long haul? What the longest married couples know that we don’t.... Plus so much more! Follow Thais HERE!  Take the quiz HERE!   ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days it's easy to feel observed and, therefore, judged by everyone for everything, whether that's online or in real life. Eli Rallo is an author and creator who understands this experience better than most of us and today we chat about her journey from a hardworking, theatre loving child to a nearly three time author and the Carrie Bradshaw of this generation. Our discussion includes topics like:  Why is it so difficult to let people misunderstand you? How our core wounds effect how we handle criticism The power of delusional thinking How to manage comparison in hyper-competitive spaces The truth about influencer culture What it takes to become an author How do you know you’re with the right person? That and so much more! Listen now! Buy Eli's book HERE! Follow Eli HERE! *The views expressed by guests are not necessarily shared by our host! We invite open discussion and differing viewpoints, experiences and information.    ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brittney Saunders is the founder of Fayt the Label, one of Australia's biggest clothing brands and empires. She launched the business from a shed in her backyard in her 20s and has grown it into a multimillion dollar brand. Before Fayt, she launched a number of other businesses as well, and today she tells her story and gives her best advice. We discuss:  Britt’s journey from influencer to business owner Why it took her 4 years to start paying herself The most costly mistake when starting a business Should you hire your friends and family? How to actually make a product that people want? How to try again after failing The power of doing things a little bit scared Plus so much more!  Watch on Youtube Follow Brittney HERE!  Shop Fayt HERE! *Please note the views of guests are not necessarily shared by our host. We invite open discussion and differing viewpoints, experiences and information.    ORDER MY BOOK Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.