Think Big – Dr. Grace Lordan

Are you thinking big enough about your retirement? The traditional one-size-fits-all retirement isn't the right fit for many people today. You can create a version that's best for you. Dr. Grace Lordan, author of Think Big, Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want explains how findings from behavioral science can help you do just that, by overcoming cognitive biases and other obstacles. Many of my favorite books for retirement aren't about retirement, but the principles can give you an edge in thinking big and building your future. We discuss: Her idea of ME+ in Think Big How the concept of Your Future Self can help you think big Why new can narratives help us When the “stories we tell ourselves” get in our way How cognitive biases present obstacles A cognitive bias many people aren’t aware of – but should be The dangers of all or nothing thinking Why identifying and managing your Time Sinkers can be a game changer How small, positive actions done regularly drive make progress  Why being compassionate toward others matters Grace Lordan joins us from London. __________________________ Bio Dr Grace Lordan is the Founding Director of The Inclusion Initiative and an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Grace is an economist and her research is focused on quantifying the benefits of inclusion within and across firms, as well as designing interventions that level the playing field for under-represented talent within firms. Grace is an expert advisor to the UK government sitting on their skills and productivity board, is a member of the UK government’s BEIS social mobility taskforce and is on the Women in Finance Charter’s advisory board. Her academic writings have been published in top international journals and she has written for the Financial Times and Harvard Business Review. Grace is a regular speaker and advisor to blue chip finance and technology firms. Think Big, Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want, is her first book. _________________________ For More on Grace Lordan Think Big, Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want Website SMILE in 2022 - London School of Economics Business Review (a 3 minute read on six life lessons from behavioral science you can put to good use this year) _________________________ Podcast Episodes You May Like How to Begin – Michael Bungay Stanier The Future You – Brian David Johnson The Mind-Body Connection and The Rabbit Effect – Kelli Harding Tiny Habits Can Lead to Big Changes – BJ Fogg _________________________ Wise Quotes On Visualizing Your Future Self "In behavioral science one of the things we know for sure is that people who visualize their future self in the present are much more likely to invest in themselves. There's lots of things that are going on that can distract us from investing in our future selves. So, it's really bringing the idea of yourself, not just the kind of vision and the lifestyle the person will actually have, but what they will actually be doing on a Monday to Friday [basis] in life is really what gets you there -  through imagination. I can't reiterate enough how well visualization works  to bring the future to life. But it also works to bring the future into the present day, which is really when you needed to get motivated to take these small steps that will get you there." On Small Steps and a New Narrative "I think fundamentally the stories that we tell ourselves define our actions. So if you believe that you don't deserve something, you're probably never going to get it.