225: Become Less Stressed and Get Out of the Dopamine Trap with Mark Congdon
In a world where the pursuit of happiness seems to be the ultimate goal, have you ever stopped to consider what happiness truly means to you? How can we find joy amidst the struggles and challenges of everyday life? These are the questions that Mark Congdon and I dive into in this episode.
Mark shared his insightful perspective on happiness, drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers like Aristotle. He discussed how happiness is not just about feeling good all the time but finding a balance between pleasure and pain while pursuing a meaningful life. He emphasized the importance of embracing the struggle and challenges as essential components of true joy.
The conversation then shifted towards the concept of control and how our perception of control can impact our well-being. Mark highlighted the significance of having an internal locus of control, where we focus on what we can control within ourselves rather than external factors. He shared personal anecdotes, including his mother's inspiring journey of taking control of her health in the face of a dire diagnosis.
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the discussion around the dopamine trap, where the pursuit of rewards and goal achievement can lead to addiction. Mark explained how finding a balance between pushing oneself towards goals and experiencing flow states is essential for sustainable happiness. He introduced the concept of "dose 180," a practice that combines positive visualization with a realistic assessment of challenges to better prepare for achieving goals.
Mark also shared insights from his recently launched book, "The Ideal Life," which explores his framework for deliberate flow and intentional stress management. The book offers practical tools and exercises to help readers align their long-term ideals with achievable goals, objectives, and tasks, thereby fostering a sense of purpose and joy in daily life.
In essence, the path to joy lies in embracing stress, finding a balance between pleasure and pain, and intentionally pursuing goals that align with our ideals. By harnessing the power of deliberate practice and flow states, we can cultivate lasting happiness in our lives.
In the episode, we get into:
01:11 What happiness means to Mark
02:55 The realization that a happy life includes learning how to coexist with stress, fear, worry, etc.
05:09 Why can some people find the purpose in a hard situation versus those who get consumed by it
10:31 How much does our need for control and our stress contributes to our dopamine trap
13:01 How do we get stuck in a dopamine trap, and what is the effect it has on us
16:42 Intentionally pursuing your goals ang pushing yourself out of your comfort zone
17:41 The problem with an emphasis on rewards for goal achievement
21:20 What would you say to someone stuck in the mindset of feeling they just keep facing down impossibility and is exhausted
24:33 What he hopes readers gain from his book
27:50 How to create a little more happiness in your day, every day, starting today
About Mark Congdon
Connect with Mark
Mark R. Congdon is the Founder & CEO of The Ideal Life.
After spending years as a successful leader in the transportation logistics industry, Mark Congdon now dedicates himself to empowering others through The Ideal Life.
With expertise in business and psychology, including a Dean’s List graduate of the Harvard Extension School in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Mark coaches individuals and teams on how to turn their long-term visions into purposeful and actionable steps.
As a CEO, Ironman Triathlete, published author, and devoted father of four, his experience offers valuable insights to help others achieve success in life.
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