DeepSummary
The episode is a conversation between Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan, where they discuss the importance of routines and habits in life. They explore how routines can foster productivity, emotional well-being, and creativity, while also acknowledging the need for flexibility. They share personal anecdotes and insights from experts on strategies for incorporating routines effectively.
Duckworth emphasizes that for many productive people, morning routines are essential, though she highlights an exception in the case of prolific writer Cass Sunstein. They delve into the benefits of habits and the neuroscience behind habit formation, as well as the trade-offs between routine and flexibility. They also discuss the role of routines in child development and parenting.
Ultimately, they suggest finding a balance between routines and flexibility, with Duckworth advising viewers to sometimes approach their own lives as if planning for a friend, to make more objective decisions about incorporating routines.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Routines and habits can foster productivity, emotional well-being, and creativity, but there is a need for balance and flexibility.
- Morning routines are common among highly productive individuals, though exceptions exist.
- Habits are formed through repetition and reward, as per the neuroscience of habit formation.
- Predictability and routines in childhood are crucial for developing cognitive control and the ability to explore.
- Striking the right balance between routines and flexibility can be challenging, but loosely holding routines can help.
- Approaching one's own life with an objective, third-party perspective can aid in incorporating routines effectively.
- Creative individuals often benefit from routines, contrary to the perception that they thrive in chaos.
- Routines should be adapted to individual needs and situations, with room for flexibility.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Children need emotional and physical order so they can go off and explore.“ by David Brooks (quoted by Mike Maughan)
- “Flexibility is a cost of routine.“ by Angela Duckworth
- “I think flexibility is a cost of routine. So let me tell you about a study that I did with Katie Milkman and also her PhD student, whose name is Aneesh Rai.“ by Angela Duckworth
- “If there really is a benefit to routine, then maybe what we should do is think of our own life sometimes as if we're planning for someone else.“ by Angela Duckworth
- “They need to live a chaotic life with no rules, no plans, no routines, and no habits. Right? Like, that could be the mental image of an artist.“ by Angela Duckworth
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Episode Information
Masters of Scale
WaitWhat
6/1/24
Masters of Scale guest, psychologist, and “Grit” author Angela Duckworth also hosts the podcast “No Stupid Questions.” With her co-host, entrepreneur and executive Mike Maughn, she takes up questions on deep issues like purpose and productivity. In this episode called “Do You Need a Routine?” Angela and Mike share notes from their personal lives, colleagues, and experts about value of habit formation.
Check out No Stupid Questions website: https://freakonomics.com/series/nsq/
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