3694: Life as a Conscious Practice by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits on Breaking Cycles of Distraction

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 3695: James Altucher explores why chasing perfection is not only futile but also paralyzing. By embracing imperfection and consistently taking small, messy steps, we unlock creativity, reduce anxiety, and make meaningful progress. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/achieve-perfection/ Quotes to ponder: "Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor." "You improve by doing, not by thinking." "Perfection is often just procrastination in disguise." Episode references: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016 On Writing by Stephen King: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Stephen-King/dp/1439156816 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 3694: Leo Babauta invites readers to slow down and cultivate conscious awareness in their daily lives, transforming automatic habits into intentional actions. By learning to notice urges, pause in moments of discomfort, and deliberately choose how to respond, we can break cycles of distraction and live with greater presence and clarity. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://zenhabits.net/conscious Quotes to ponder: "Without awareness, we are slaves to our impulses, habits, and distractions." "When we pause and bring awareness, we create space to make a conscious choice." "Each urge is an opportunity to bring awareness and learn to stay with discomfort." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 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 3693: Renata Leo shares her journey from chronic overachiever to balanced achiever, revealing the hidden costs of always striving to do and be the most. With sharp humor and raw honesty, she unpacks how hustle culture leads to burnout, guilt, and the loss of simple joy, offering permission to pursue goals without losing yourself along the way. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buffalosauceeverywhere.com/2022/08/24/dont-be-an-overachiever/ Quotes to ponder: "I have a valedictorian speech and anxiety to show for it." "Overachieving forces you to work with so much concentration and blind perseverance that self-awareness goes out the window." "Week after week, I’ve gone back to axe league because I enjoyed it, even though I was terrible at it." 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 3692: Sabrina shares a raw and powerful journey of confronting her anger, not by blaming others, but by uncovering her own responsibility for her reactions. With the help of therapy, self-awareness, and mindfulness techniques, she reveals how recognizing physical cues and planning ahead can transform anger into clarity and control. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://buddingoptimist.com/how-to-release-anger/ Quotes to ponder: "Nobody was making me angry. In fact, nothing in this world had or has any real ability to make anybody feel angry." "I had the option, at every step leading to that final dish-breaking scene, to let go of my anger and pick a different response." "Now whenever I notice any of these signs I would make a mental note that I was starting to feel angry." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Daniel Gilbert TED Talk: The Surprising Science of Happiness: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_the_surprising_science_of_happiness 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 3691: Sandy Kreps reflects on how life-altering tragedy can strip away distractions and reveal what truly matters. Her heartfelt message encourages readers to embrace simplicity, prioritize relationships, and live with deeper intention after loss. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/after-tragedy/ Quotes to ponder: "Tragedy has a way of pushing everything else aside and demanding our full attention." "After a tragedy, the small, petty things that once consumed us no longer seem to matter." "When everything else is stripped away, we realize what’s most important: people, time, love, connection." Episode references: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Art-Swedish-Death-Cleaning/dp/1501173243 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 3690: David Cain explores how we often turn fleeting problems into enduring struggles by mentally amplifying them. By learning not to “make a thing out of it,” we can reduce unnecessary suffering and let difficulties pass without becoming emotional narratives. His practical insight shows how small mindset shifts can make life smoother and more peaceful. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.raptitude.com/2014/08/dont-make-a-thing-out-of-it/ Quotes to ponder: "Most of our suffering comes from what we do after a problem appears." "The trick is not to give the moment any new meaning it doesn’t already have." "Let the bad moment hang there, raw and unprocessed, without turning it into a story." Episode references: Wherever You Go, There You Are: https://www.amazon.com/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness/dp/1401307787 The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 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 3689: Tynan explores the deeper reasons behind choosing a frugal lifestyle, highlighting how intentional spending creates freedom, confidence, and stronger relationships. His perspective challenges the idea that frugality is about deprivation, reframing it instead as a conscious, values-driven way to live fully and independently. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://tynan.com/lovefrugal Quotes to ponder: "Frugality isn’t about saving money, it’s about aligning your spending with your values." "I don’t feel limited by frugality, I feel empowered by it." "The real benefit of frugality is not saving money, but living in a way that makes you proud of your choices." Episode references: Mr. Money Mustache: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/ The Millionaire Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474 Early Retirement Extreme: https://www.amazon.com/Early-Retirement-Extreme-Philosophical-Independent/dp/145360121X 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 3688: Brian Tracy explains how adopting a positive attitude in the face of setbacks is a key skill for personal growth and resilience. By reframing problems as challenges, or even opportunities, you can shift your mindset, manage stress more effectively, and keep moving toward your goals with optimism and strength. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.briantracy.com/blog/personal-success/positive-attitude-when-stressed/ Quotes to ponder: "Since your conscious mind can hold only one thought at a time, either positive or negative, if you deliberately choose a positive thought to dwell upon, you keep your mind optimistic and your emotions positive." "Rather than saying, 'I have a problem,' say, 'I have an interesting challenge facing me.'" "Resolve in advance that no matter what happens, you will not allow it to get you down." 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 3687: Marc Chernoff offers a powerful blueprint for cultivating joy by emphasizing small, intentional actions, like embracing failure, fostering growth, and letting go of ego, that can transform how we live and relate to others. His reminders serve as a gentle but urgent push to prioritize authenticity, presence, and the company we keep as paths to lasting happiness. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2012/12/12/be-happier-10-things-to-start-doing/ Quotes to ponder: "Truly, the greatest power you have in this world is the power of your own self-transformation." "If you never fail, then your goals are not nearly ambitious enough." "Being hurt is something you sometimes can’t avoid, but being continuously miserable is always a choice." 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 3686: Anthony Ongaro explores the surprising value of doing things without a defined purpose, revealing how playfulness and curiosity can boost creativity, reduce burnout, and generate eustress, the good kind of stress. His reflections challenge the productivity-obsessed mindset, encouraging a return to simple joy, exploration, and intentional downtime. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakthetwitch.com/this-can-help-2/ Quotes to ponder: "Doing things for seemingly no purpose doesn’t mean it’s pointless." "Eustress being released into your body feels like pure excitement about being alive." "By assigning a purpose to everything you do, you risk losing enjoyment in those things." Episode references: Play (Stuart Brown TED Talk): https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_play_is_more_than_just_fun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices