Episode 89 - The Perils of Self-Improvement Culture?

This Most Unbelievable Life!

Hello listeners!

If you are a frequent listener to this podcast, you probably know by now that we take great pride in trying to do a good job of it! From interesting and timely content and topics, to the quality of the audio, we do our best to create a delightful and informative, possibly thought provoking experience for you. We think we usually do a pretty good job of it, yet, there is an occasional temptation to work to improve what we offer. This isn’t a bad thing! Of course we want this podcast to be a quality experience. Fact is, with a podcast, improving it often becomes an exercise or practice of self-exploration. How do we become “better” podcasters? If we did this, this, and this, if we improved these things, we would be better! I mean, self-improvement is a noble pursuit, right? It seems that having an eye toward self-improvement can only be a good thing!

Yet, we ask, what happens when self-improvement is converted into a reward system of hustle culture? When self-improvement becomes a list of things we “should,” do to be better, we can accidentally run into an unintended backside of, “if I think I should improve on this, that must mean I’m not good at it now,” and that be a little bit weaponized. Also, when the idea of self-improvement turns into a hustle and grind of meeting everyone’s expectations at all costs for a reward or for recognition, our health can go right out the window along with our sense of self-esteem and self-worth. In that light, everything can become a little dangerous. If we think we live in a reward system where the metrics of self-improvement are measured by the standards, and the potential gains of others, the innocent striving toward self-improvement can turn into worry, anxiety, and exhaustion.

How might we safely, kindly, and compassionately self-improve? Give this episode a listen and let us know what you think! We hope you love this one! We tried to do our best. :-)

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