Brief summary
Dr. Maya Shankar discusses the science of identity, goals, motivation, and the impact of empathy and goal-setting strategies on personal growth and behavior change.
Highlights
Dr. Maya Shankar's journey from a promising violinist to a cognitive scientist highlights the fluidity of identity and the power of reframing life's challenges into opportunities for growth.
The conversation delves into the science of goal-setting, emphasizing the importance of how goals are framed, the role of personal agency, and the impact of environmental changes on habit formation.
Strategies for sustaining motivation, such as temptation bundling and leveraging fresh start effects, are discussed, offering practical advice for overcoming the common 'middle problem' in goal pursuit.
Dr. Shankar and Dr. Huberman explore the concept of empathy, differentiating between emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and empathic concern, and discuss how these forms of empathy can influence personal relationships and professional success.
The discussion also touches on the challenges and rewards of public policy work, with Dr. Shankar sharing her experiences and the impact of simple, evidence-based interventions on large-scale behavior change.
Quotes
- `“`We like wiping away the past. We like embarking on a new future that's clean of failure and stumbling.`“`
- `“`Nothing supplants that kind of intrinsic drive and the feeling that you own the success or the failure.`“`
- `“`The greatest gift that being a cognitive scientist has given me is empathy towards people.`“`
- `“`People are more motivated at the beginning of goal pursuit and experience a boost towards the end, with a lull in motivation in the middle.`“`
- `“`Every time I fell off the wagon, it's because I viewed success in an all-or-nothing way.`“`
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Key Ideas
Identity and Life Transitions
00:00:00
Dr. Shankar shares her personal journey from a violinist to a cognitive scientist, illustrating the malleability of identity and the importance of reframing life's changes.
Framing Goals Effectively
00:20:00
The discussion emphasizes the significance of how goals are articulated, advocating for an approach-oriented framing over an avoidance-oriented one.
Sustaining Motivation
00:40:00
Strategies for maintaining motivation through goal pursuit, including temptation bundling and leveraging 'fresh start' effects, are explored.
Understanding Empathy
01:00:00
Different types of empathy are discussed, highlighting their distinct roles in personal and professional contexts and their impact on relationships.
Behavior Change in Public Policy
01:20:00
Dr. Shankar shares insights from her work in public policy, demonstrating the power of simple interventions in driving large-scale behavior change.
Q&A
How can reframing life's challenges lead to personal growth?
Reframing challenges as opportunities for growth allows individuals to adapt and find new pathways, as exemplified by Dr. Shankar's transition from music to cognitive science.
What is the significance of how goals are framed?
Framing goals in an approach-oriented way rather than avoidance-oriented can significantly impact motivation, perception of success, and the likelihood of achieving those goals.
How can individuals sustain motivation through goal pursuit?
Strategies like temptation bundling, leveraging 'fresh start' effects, and shortening the time duration of goals can help maintain motivation and overcome the 'middle problem'.
What are the different types of empathy and why are they important?
Emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and empathic concern are distinct forms of empathy that play crucial roles in fostering personal connections, professional success, and preventing burnout.
How can simple interventions drive large-scale behavior change?
Dr. Shankar's work in public policy shows that evidence-based, simple interventions, like changing a single word in communications, can have significant impacts on behavior change.
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