This week, we use the L.A. Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s gutsy back-to-back World Series appearances in Game 6 and 7 to discuss what we’re calling the optimization (or protocol) trap. This is when you become so tethered to a specific routine or “optimal zone” of performance that you become fragile. You trade self-efficacy for hyper-control or neuroticism. There are plenty of times when you have to perform and you’re not at your best, or the external conditions aren’t ideal. Being able to send it anyway—much like Yamamoto did in Game 7—is the sign of a truly elite performer. So today’s episode is all about training and building anti-fragility. We discuss how to differentiate between wisdom and fear when you hear the voice telling you to pull back; how to use “safe-to-fail” experiments to train self-efficacy; how to distinguish between faith-based confidence and delusion; and how to build routines that are flexible rather than rigid.<a href=" https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bg1u0bb1Vo0oU39GvmhlehWUgrnfyeT7keaN7ygqHAE/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> for an AI-generated, unedited transcriptIf you have a question for us, send an email to clay.growtheq@gmail.com or call our voicemail at ‪(646) 893-9503‬.<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Way-Excellence-Greatness-Satisfaction-Chaotic/dp/0063385945" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click to pre-order </a>Brad's new book, "The Way of Excellence," which Steve Kerr, nine-time NBA Champion, is calling "an absolutely beautiful book"Subscribe to <a href="https://thegrowtheq.com/newsletters/geq/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Growth Equation newsletter</a>If you are enjoying "excellence, actually," do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks!<ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-equation-podcast/id1505257676" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iTunes and Apple Podcasts</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/08qLiDYVaUURcOD7MmsQBf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li><li><a href="https://subscribeonandroid.com/thegrowtheq.com/feed/podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Android</a></li><li><a href="https://pca.st/94v1jrn2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PocketCasts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@excellence_actually" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li></ul><hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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The Optimization Trap — and How to Escape It

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