Podcasts · Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

Nir Eyal: Why Positive Thinking Isn't Working (& What Actually Does)

· 2 h 10 min

Episode Nir Eyal: Why Positive Thinking Isn't Working (& What Actually Does)

0:00 2:10:29

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Have you ever wondered why you keep thinking, feeling or behaving in ways you know aren't serving you even when you know better?

This week I'm joined by Nir Eyal, behavioural designer and bestselling author, and one of the most fascinating voices on how our beliefs shape everything from our habits and identity to our health and happiness.

Nir has a way of cutting through the noise of self-help and getting to the science and what he shares isn't about toxic positivity or vision boarding. It's about understanding the beliefs running your life, and actually changing them.

What we explore together:

• Why your brain continues to lie to you even when you know the truth • The difference between facts, faith and beliefs and why it matters • Why manifesting and positive visualisation can actually make you less likely to succeed • What a 1950s rat experiment teaches us about the power of belief and human potential • Why your ADHD, perfectionism or Myers-Briggs label might be holding you back • How the stories we tell ourselves create suffering — and how to change them • The science of luck — and why lucky people aren't just born that way • Why your beliefs about ageing could impact your lifespan more than diet or exercise • How to actually change a limiting belief — practically and permanently

If you've ever felt stuck in patterns you can't seem to break, this one is for you.

Love, Sarah Ann 💛

Nir's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00HJ8021I

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

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Timestamps 02:30 — Introduction: Why our beliefs shape everything we think, feel and do 05:01 — The difference between facts, faith and beliefs 09:58 — Why manifesting and positive visualisation can backfire 13:28 — Pain is not suffering — and the stories we tell ourselves 18:47 — The 1950s rat experiment and the science of hope and belief 24:57 — Why your beliefs about ageing could add years to your life 30:03 — How to start changing a limiting belief 34:57 — The steelmanning technique for difficult conversations 44:56 — The four questions that can change how you see anyone 54:54 — It's not your fault — but it is your responsibility 59:49 — Prayer, faith and the science of belief without religion 74:59 — Conditional vs unconditional love and how beliefs shape relationships 99:59 — How to actually replace a limiting belief — step by step 104:54 — The belief that changed everything for Nir recently 119:52 — Final advice: how to start living by better beliefs today

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