Maya Shankar On Habit Change, Decision Making, Letting Go Of The Past & Science Backed Tools to Remain Optimistic During Adversity

Today’s guest is Maya Shankar. Maya is a cognitive scientist and the creator, Executive Producer, and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple recently awarded as the Best Show of the Year 2021. Maya was a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph.D. from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale.  We talk about the cognitive science behind how we adapt to changes based on the choices we have and the choices we eventually make, either by staying stagnant in a frustrating situation or finding the will to reintegrate ourselves back into the world. We also discuss all things habit change, decision making, letting go of the past, how to remain optimistic during adversity (using science backed tools) and more! Thanks to this episode's sponsor: BiOptimizers/Magnesium Breakthrough: Go to www.magbreakthrough.com/doug and use the code DOUG10 to save 10 percent when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Earth Echo Foods/Cacao Bliss: www.earthechofoods.com/dougbopst  Use Promo code "Doug" at checkout to receive 15% off your order  What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 00:58 Understanding where your weaknesses lie 06:39 What is adaptive choice architecture? 10:33 The Identity Foreclosure 16:53 Either get stuck into a frustrating situation or jump back into the world 21:50 Habits form through taking small steps 25:22 Practice gratitude 32:53 When you only assume the worst in any situation 37:46 Tell your mind what matters to you   Episode Resources: Maya Shankar | Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook A Slight Change of Plans Podcast  Follow me on Social Media: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices