How to stop worrying about small problems that don't matter (and kill your perfectionist)

Ever notice how you'll curse for days when stuck in traffic but never celebrate hitting all green lights? Your brain's flaw-detection software is working overtime. In our quest for the ideal—the perfect relationship, the flawless investment, the dream career—we often miss the opportunity to appreciate what's already working. This isn't about lowering standards; it's about recognizing diminishing returns and the opportunity costs of perfectionism. Gratitude research shows that people who accept small imperfections actually experience more satisfaction and happiness. It's not about settling—it's about optimizing for what truly matters and recognizing the diminishing returns of chasing perfection. Identify what's truly non-negotiable versus what's just a small cost of admission See where you get stuck in diminishing returns of perfectionism and break out of the cycle Reframe "tolerating flaws" as "accepting the whole, complex reality" of what you value Ready to stop obsessing over small flaws and start enjoying the ride? Your ticket to a more satisfying life is waiting. Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Related Episodes How to stop catastrophising Psychology of Control - Why your brain overcomplicated everything How to build emotional intelligence Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com 🗣️ Feedback Form - Creating certainty in an uncertain world - https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: How to stop worrying about small problems that don't matter (and kill your perfectionist) Chapters: 00:00 Hardwired for problem seeking 00:55 Concept of paying the price of admission 01:23 Relationships 04:43 Stock markets 06:02 More examples 08:42 Gratitude and Game Theory 10:41 Perfectionism and diminishing returns 12:55 Martha Nussbaum and the Descent of Love 13:58 Positive and negative flywheels of gratitude and perfectionism 15:48 Chang Chang and the Broken Vase Garden 17:17 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health. THE APPROACH Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development. Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life. YOUR HOST I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives. This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation. PREMIUM Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium PAST SERIES Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for Busy Mortals — Independence and Knowing Yourself — Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking — Psychology of Connection and Relationships — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets — Addiction and Behaviour Change — Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory — Mental Strength and Self-Discipline