Eric Barker
Podcast 2017-05-16

How to be Awesome at Life with Eric Barker

with Eric Barker

Eric Barker is the author of the widely popular blog, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree”, and he has a new book out with the same title (see here). Barker is known for his science-informed articles on how to be awesome at life. For today’s episode, we focus on a range of topics that will help you be […]

Episode Details

Show Notes

Eric Barker is the author of the widely popular blog, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree”, and he has a new book out with the same title (see here). Barker is known for his science-informed articles on how to be awesome at life. For today’s episode, we focus on a range of topics that will help you be awesome at life, including when to grit and when to quit, whether nice guys really finish last, the perils of self-esteem, how it’s who you know instead of what you know that really matters, and how people can achieve success while striking a work-life balance. It’s a fun and playful episode that contains a high-level discussion of many of the most researched constructs in psychology today, such as introversion/extroversion, giving/taking, deliberate practice/grit, and much more! Please leave feedback in the comments below.

To learn more about Eric, check out his blog at bakadesuyo.comFor a month of free access to over 8,000 awesome video lectures, check out thegreatcoursesplus.com/Psych.

Seven core insights

What 11 years of conversation
revealed

  • 01
    Being over DoingThe richness of presence and inner life over constant productivity.
  • 02
    Creativity over EfficiencyMaking space for imagination and originality in a world that prizes optimization.
  • 03
    Self-Actualization over AchievementBecoming the fullest version of yourself, not just reaching the next milestone.
  • 04
    Deep Fulfillment over HappinessPursuing meaning and depth rather than fleeting positive feelings.
  • 05
    Self-TranscendenceGoing beyond the self to serve something larger — the highest expression of human potential.
  • 06
    Meaning & CompassionThe threads that run through every great conversation — purpose, connection, and care.
  • 07
    Human PossibilityThe unwavering belief that every mind is capable of far more than we’ve been told.

About the guest

Eric Barker

Eric Barker

Podcast Guest

Keep exploring

11 years of
human possibility

478 episodes exploring creativity, intelligence, well-being, and what it means to be fully human. The archive is yours to explore.