Afford Anything

Category: Lifestyle

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#367: The Roots of Procrastination, Inattention and Anxiety, with Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, many commentators have remarked that we’re living in an “epidemic of anxiety.”

More than 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety, and countless millions more notice themselves “acting out” against their responsibilities in smaller, self-sabotaging ways: procrastinating, lacking motivation, grappling with an inability to concentrate.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D., discusses both the internal and environmental factors that can exacerbate anxiety. She talks about nutrition and sleep, as well as the fact that, frankly, your job just might suck.

She applies these ideas to tactics that allow us to better handle our finances, investments, careers and lives.

Dr. Ellen Vora holds a B.A. from Yale University and a medical degree from Columbia University. She’s a board-certified psychiatrist.

Enjoy this conversation, and share your comments and feedback with members of our community at affordanything.com/community.

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#363: Two Types of Intelligence, with Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks

In our 20’s and 30’s, we have high levels of fluid intelligence, or raw intellectual horsepower. We can ace tests, impress people with our memory and recall, and analyze facts, documents and data.

But in our 40’s and 50’s, we have higher levels of crystallized intelligence, which allows us to draw together novel insights from across domains.

Fluid intelligence allows us to analyze, or break apart.

Crystallized intelligence allows us to synthesize, or put together.

Each type of intelligence invites us to express different skills, to pivot our role at work – or perhaps even to change careers or industries altogether.

In today’s episode, Harvard professor Arthur Brooks discusses these two types of intelligence, and outlines how we can gracefully move from one strength to the next.

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#353: The Secret to Perfect Timing, with Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink joins us to discuss an unusual theory:

(1) that our energy rises, falls, and then rises again;

(2) that this pattern plays out across our days (morning energy, afternoon slump, nighttime second wind);

(3) this also plays out across our lives, with serious implications for how we spend those “muddled middle” years of our 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

Enjoy!

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#351: The Six Myths of Productivity, with Geoff Woods

Geoff Woods, Vice President of The ONE Thing and host of The ONE Thing podcast, is an expert on ruthless prioritization, habit development, and goal setting.

The simple framework he presents allows you to focus deeply and commit to the actions you need to take if you want to take your productivity to the next level this year.

Enjoy!

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By Paula Pant

#276: Cut the Fluff and Become a Digital Minimalist, with Dr. Cal Newport

Have you found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds over the last few months? Have you also found yourself in a state of sadness, anxiety, or aggravation afterwards?

We live in an increasingly noisy world. A world in which many of us use social media, or the internet in general, to escape. But our escapes often leave us feeling empty and annoyed at ourselves for wasting several hours of precious time.

Here’s one possible remedy for this tiring, relentless cycle: embrace the philosophy of digital minimalism.

            Okay, I’m in. But…what’s digital minimalism? 

Digital minimalism is a term coined by Dr. Cal Newport, today’s guest.

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By Paula Pant

#261: Why I Quit My Job in the Middle of a Recession — Interview from Lessons from a Quitter

We’re in an economic collapse.

We have the highest unemployment since the Great Depression.

There are many more people who want jobs than there are jobs available.

Yet, you want to quit your job.

Maybe you planned to change careers this year, maybe you wanted to take a sabbatical, or maybe you wanted to retire early.

Regardless of your plans, you might feel as though this recession ripped them to shreds and blew them out the window.

But…what if you could still make your plans work?

What?! Quitting your job at the beginning of a recession is INSANE, isn’t it?

Maybe. Maybe not.

You’re kidding. Right? …Right?? Isn’t that equivalent to career suicide?

Nope. It worked for me.

Since we’re in the middle of another recession and many of you want to voluntarily leave your job at some point in the future, I’m re-airing an interview I did on Lessons From a Quitter two years ago. The host, Goli, interviewed me about quitting my job at the beginning of a recession.

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By Paula Pant

PSA Thursday – Your Guide to Giving: How to Donate, Volunteer and Practice Spontaneous Kindness

Let’s start with the good news: the majority of U.S. households, 6 in 10, donate money to nonprofits and charities, and 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. volunteer their time and talent.

The only way our society is going to get through the struggles and the stresses that we face is if we are good to each other. Compassion and common humanity are crucial.

In this PSA episode we discuss strategies around giving, including how to donate money and volunteer time effectively, as well as how to embrace the opportunity to practice informal, random, spontaneous acts of kindness.

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By Erin @ Team Afford Anything

#251: From High School Dropout to Successful Entrepreneur, Author and World Traveler — with Chris Guillebeau

Do you love the idea of making money on your own — without a boss?

Can you imagine deciding how you spend each day?

Are you bored and looking for a challenge? Do you love the thought of adventure?

Today’s guest, Chris Guillebeau, knows all about hustling, living an unconventional life, working towards seemingly impossible goals, and combining his interests into an epic lifestyle business that brings him freedom and joy.

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Written By Paula Pant

I’m 36 and I tested positive for coronavirus. My so-called “moderate” case is brutal.

You’ve probably heard people say that if you’re young, healthy and you contract Covid-19, you’re likely to only experience mild or moderate symptoms. I’m 36, a non-smoker, in shape, fit and healthy, with no chronic conditions. No asthma, no diabetes, no cancer, no high blood pressure, no history of any type of organ disease. I’m the poster child, the ideal candidate, of someone who would only experience a “mild or moderate” case.

My experience of coronavirus was sheer brutal hell. It was the most intense prolonged physical agony I’ve ever felt.

Here’s what coronavirus feels like.

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