The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 381. Change Your Mindset, Your Health, Your Life | Dr. Ellen Langer

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Dr. Jordan Peterson interviews Dr. Ellen Langer, a renowned psychologist and professor at Harvard University. They discuss the power of mindset, the importance of mindfulness, and how our perception shapes our reality.

Main Takeaways

The Power of Perception

• Paying attention to what we take for granted can lead to exciting discoveries
• Art can help us see things in a new way and break out of habitual thinking
• Creating or observing art can have a positive effect on our perception of the world
• It’s important to not become complacent and think we know everything

The Future Authoring Program

• Writing about past traumas or future goals can have a remedial effect and make people physically healthier (James Pentebaker)
• Writing about future goals can make people more productive (goal setting literature)
• The Future Authoring program asks people to develop a vision for their life in seven different dimensions and can be completed in 90 minutes
• Students who completed the Future Authoring program had a 50% lower dropout rate and a 35% increase in their grade point averages

Mindfulness and Education

• Schools and education systems should teach people to exploit the power of uncertainty and encourage them to make a universal rather than a personal attribution for not knowing (Jordan Peterson)
• The education system was developed to produce mindless workers who would not be creative and question authority
• Mindful learning makes teaching conditional and uses words that suggest it’s not always so to encourage open-mindedness
• Teaching mindlessness instantiates the status quo and biases behavior in favor of maintaining it

The Benefits of Mindfulness

• Increased entropy voluntarily catalyzes a challenge response, associated with positive emotion, exploration, and play
• Mindfulness is not just thinking but being aware and present in the moment, and it can be fun
• Mindfulness is being present and aware in the moment, and it can be energizing rather than exhausting
• Being mindful is the essence of engagement and what you do when you’re having fun

Changing Mindset and Health

• Mindfulness can improve health, relationships, and leave an imprint on what we do
• Mindlessness can lead to dangerous situations, and being mindful can prevent them
• Play and exploration are associated with engagement, meaning, and expanding our adaptive competence
• Fatigue is a mindset that limits us, and stress keeps people awake at night.

Summary

Changing Our Perception and Mindset

Dr. Ellen Langer emphasizes the importance of paying attention to what we take for granted and how art can help us break out of habitual thinking. By becoming more mindful and open-minded, we can discover new perspectives and possibilities.

The Power of Future Authoring

Writing about past traumas or future goals can have a remedial effect on our health and productivity. The Future Authoring program, developed by Dr. James Pentebaker, helps individuals create a vision for their life and has shown significant improvements in dropout rates and academic performance.

Mindfulness in Education

The education system was designed to produce obedient workers, but teaching mindlessness limits creativity and critical thinking. By promoting mindful learning and encouraging open-mindedness, we can foster a more engaging and empowering educational experience.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is not just about thinking; it’s about being present and aware in the moment. It can improve our health, relationships, and overall well-being. By embracing mindfulness, we can experience greater engagement, meaning, and adaptive competence in our lives.

Changing Mindset for Health

Mindfulness can prevent dangerous situations and improve our physical and mental health. By challenging limiting mindsets such as fatigue and stress, we can unlock our full potential and live a more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast” with Dr. Ellen Langer explores the power of perception, the benefits of mindfulness, and the importance of changing our mindset. By being more mindful and open-minded, we can discover new possibilities, improve our health and relationships, and live a more engaged and fulfilling life.