We all get stuck. In relationships, in jobs or in creative endeavors. It’s a universal experience, yet most people feel incredibly lonely when they’re stuck. By shedding light on the latest research, bestselling author Adam Alter expertly unravels the psychological and practical steps you need to get unstuck.
Adam Alter PhD is a professor of Marketing at New York University's Stern School of Business with an affiliate appointment in the Psychology Department. Adam has spent the past two decades studying how people become stuck and how they free themselves to thrive. He is the author of bestsellers Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible but we talk with him on this episode about his latest book, Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most.
As someone who has kept decades of notes on interesting observations from his life, Adam peppers all his work with relatable personal stories. One of the trends of Adam’s observations from over the years is that music has provided a stream of interesting anecdotes. So it will come as no surprise to regular listeners of the Behavioral Grooves, that Tim thoroughly enjoyed talking about how music has influenced Adam’s life, research and writing!
We hope you enjoy listening to our light hearted discussion with Adam and if you would like to support the work of Behavioral Grooves, you can become a Patreon member of the show: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves.
Topics
(3:30) Welcome and speed round questions.
(4:31) Creativity is a result of productivity not insight.
(6:38) Where do people get stuck in their lives?
(7:42) Narrow bracketing - how to get rid of the messy middle.
(9:55) Why is it so hard to get unstuck?
(12:08) How to reframe difficulties as challenges.
(15:52) In hierarchical organizations, the personality of leaders matters.
(18:30) How to fail well.
(23:07) Are constraints liberating?
(26:34) The 3 part process of a friction audit?
(29:29) What is hardship inoculation?
(34:06) Finding the people who magically unstick your team.
(38:48) What makes a great band?
(42:46) How Universal Basic Income (UBI) can harness creative breakthroughs.
(45:28) Why music is a huge part of Adam’s book.
(48:10) How the economy actually dictates our musical choices.
(53:39) The music that Adam listens to.
(57:37) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on getting unstuck.
© 2023 Behavioral Grooves
Links
Adam Alter’s book “Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most”: https://amzn.to/3NHkQ6z
Episode 276, How To Stay Motivated So You Exceed Your Goals with Ayelet Fishbach PhD: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/motivation-to-exceed-your-goals/
Episode 307, Groove Track - Mind Over Milkshakes: Why Expectations Matter A Lot: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/mind-over-milkshakes-groove-track/
Michael Lewis “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game”: https://amzn.to/46dqbJV
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure”: https://amzn.to/3NSRItb
Episode 64, Danny Oppenheimer: Governance and Helicopter Parenting: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/danny-oppenheimer-governance-and-helicopter-parenting/
Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves
Musical Links
EDM, trance music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xptn9MHiAdo
Alice in Chains “Man In The Box”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqZb52sgpU
Bob Dylan “Like A Rolling Stone”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwOfCgkyEj0
Why Random Rewards Feel So Much Better Than Earned Ones with Richard Shotton
Want Marketing That’s Effective? Use a Behavioral Science Perspective | Nancy Harhut
Can Psychology Tell Us What Makes A Good Life? With Paul Bloom, Part 2
Psychology: Should Freud Still Be On The Syllabus? Paul Bloom, Part 1
What Do You Really Want? Understand The Desires We All Share | Charlotte Fox Weber
How One Small Word Can Transform Our Motivation, Success And Relationships | Jonah Berger
A Guide To The Ambitious Future of Behavioral Science with Michael Hallsworth PhD
Surprising Ways To End Poverty and Solve Climate Change with Erik Angner PhD
Why You Don‘t Need to be Powerful to be Influential | Vanessa Bohns [Republish]
You Work. You Parent. But Can You Also Thrive? | Yael Schonbrun PhD
The Tools You Need To Embrace Uncertainty | Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr
How To Frame Incentives To Drive The Desired Behavior | James Castello
The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury, featuring guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD [Republish]
Why Resilience Is More Than Just Bouncing Back | Gabriella Rosen Kellerman MD
Why Human Connection Is The Key To Effective Branding | Matt Johnson
Why The Best Choice Can Sometimes Be An Imperfect Choice | Michelle Segar PhD
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How Behavioral Science Can Tackle Misinformation And Obesity | Evelyn Gosnell
The 3 Steps To Getting Your Groove Back In The New Year
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