Summary

In this episode, I chat with best selling author Dan Ariely. I first encountered Dan with his book Payoff, an awesome book on motivation and what drive decisions. We kick off our chat by chatting about resolutions and goal setting and how to improve our techniques and strategies. We also discuss his new book, Dollars and Sense, to better improve our decisions around how we think about and use the money.

Dan’s Bio

Dan Ariely is the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. He is dedicated to answering questions to help people live more sensible – if not rational – lives. His interests span a wide range of behaviours, and his sometimes unusual experiments are consistently interesting, amusing and informative, demonstrating profound ideas that fly in the face of common wisdom.

He is a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight, co-creator of the film documentary (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies, and a three-time New York Times bestselling author. His books include Predictably Irrational, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, Irrationally Yours, Payoff and Dollars and Sense.

Coaching

Topics of discussion 

• Resolutions and Goal Setting. How to make things stick.
• Smart goals. Implementation intentions, loss aversion, measurable, time conscious, motivation.
• Definition of success – not driven by failure, driven by learning?
• His new book – Dollars and Sense. Understanding money and how to make wiser decisions.
• Techniques to improve money habits. The pain of paying. Goal vs. Anti-goal.

Quick round questions

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Make an espresso and start working on a priority project. No distraction.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Take more risks, explore more areas and realise foundations of education is very hard to recreate. Spend more time on education in the early days.

How would you define success? What does success look like to you? 

A feeling of contribution and progress.

What is one tool, skill, resource, or technique that has helped improve your effectiveness and/or productivity? 

Having a good understanding of statistics.

What advice would you give someone that needing/wanting to make a change in their life?

Think about how you would measure whether the change would be effective and how you could test it without too much risk.

If I would serve you your last meal what would you request?

Multiple dishes of a cuisine I haven’t tried before that will help me remember it.

What activity gives you the greatest sense of joy? 

Implied creativity. Using the tools that I have in a new way.

If you could pick one book to pass down to your children or future generations what book would it be? 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter by Dan Ariely

Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (TED Books) by Dan Ariely

Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely

What quote, phrase or message would you text or tweet to everyone in the world?

“The world moves forward due to unreasonable men.”

Do we all have a Hidden Why, a purpose?

I don’t think we all have it. We are not born with it. It’s a question of if we are interested in finding it.

What does living with passion and purpose mean?

Carefully trying to rebalance and often make mistakes in how we think about our own benefit versus the benefit of others.

What do you believe is the underlying motivation behind everything you do? 

Karma. What goes around comes around. It is p3robabilistic Do what you can to make the world a better place, with what you control, and the world might reward you back.

How to connect with Dan

Visit his website, Dan Ariely. 

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.

Coaching