25 Takeaways From Listening to More Than 1,000 Personal Development Podcasts

My name’s Austen, and I’m an addict. It’s been a few hours since I’ve gotten my last fix, and I can already feel myself getting anxious.

But this isn’t your typical addiction. No — this is a unique obsession.

Let me tell you a brief story of how this addiction came to be.

A few years ago, I found myself aimlessly stumbling down hopeless street. I was fresh off a break-up, hated my job and had no freaking clue what I wanted to do with my life.

Fast forward a few worthless/unproductive months.

Eventually I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. So I decided it was time to pick myself back up — only I had no freaking idea where to begin.

I had heard that it’s best to start small, and slowly build yourself back up. So that’s what I set out to do.

It was also around this time that a mentor of mine told me about something called podcasts.

I had seen the app on my iPhone, but had never really taken the time to explore it.

So, once I grew tired of scrolling through Instagram and mindlessly (and quite unsuccessfully I might add) swiping through Tinder, I decided to click on the podcast app and do some perusing.

I was blown away by the variety of subjects on here. And it was all free — say what?

But I was feeling pretty crappy about myself, so what I needed was some damn inspiration!

I browsed through some of the personal development podcasts, and eventually stumbled across one called The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes. So I clicked on one of the first episodes.

It was an interview with singer Alanis Morissette. I listened intently as she spoke about the pressures of fame and success, how she overcame many of her insecurities and some other lessons she has learned throughout her journey through life.

When the episode ended, I felt better, and I was hungry for more.

When I was done with that episode, I went on to the next one. And when I finished that one, I went on to the next, then the next — and so on.

That was the start, and I haven’t stopped listening podcasts since. I’m addicted.

Now, I’ve listened to more than 1,000 episodes (it helps that I have a long commute to work), each at about an hour long.

I was never great at math, but if my brain doesn’t deceive me..that’s over 1,000 hours of personal development audio (humble brag).

I’ve learned an incredible amount through listening to podcasts; about myself, about the world and about the human experience as a whole.

It really has changed my life.

So with that being said, here are 25 things I’ve learned while listening to over 1,000 hours of personal development podcast audio (in no particular order):

1. The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you have with yourself, because wherever you go — there YOU are.
2. Those who seek an extraordinary life, understand that in order to help others, they must take care of themselves first. It’s much easier to spread joy, inspiration and compassion when you are brimming with those things yourself.
3. The relationships you have with others infuse your life with meaning and joy. Surround yourself with people that lift you up, and encourage you to become your best self.
4. Adversity is unavoidable. Those that go on to achieve greatness see tough times as an opportunity for growth, rather than needless suffering. Honor the struggle.
5. It’s impossible to feel grateful and depressed, simultaneously. Cultivate ‘an attitude of gratitude,’ and watch your perspective on life transform.
6. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” — Albert Einstein. Want to make $1 million? Find a way to help 1 million people.
7. Creativity is like a muscle. Exercise it daily — and it will get stronger. Don’t — and it will atrophy.
8. Life in its very nature, is flush with uncertainty. Embrace the unknown, and see life as an adventure, rather than spending energy trying to control each outcome.
9. Intelligence is important — but determination, grit and the willingness to put in the long hours are the true determiners of greatness.
10. What others think about you is both none of your concern and out of your control. Instead of wasting energy on this, focus on what you can control — yourself.
11. Don’t take anything personally. What others do, and say is a reflection of how they see the world.
12. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Be patient and focus on taking small, deliberate steps towards your goals everyday.
13. The size of your life is in direct proportion to how often, and how consistently you get outside of your comfort zone.
14. Be mindful of your inner critic. It will tell you that you’re not smart enough, not good looking enough and not creative enough. Detach from those thoughts and allow them to come and go.
15. The moment you fully accept yourself as you are, is the moment you can begin to create true, lasting change within yourself.
16. Complaining is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do — but it’ll never get you to where you want to go.
17. Happy people prioritize their health. They understand that taking care of their physical body affects their feelings, energy levels and ability to focus.
18. The true movers and shakers of today understand and embrace the fact that education is a lifelong endeavor. Strive to be an eternal seeker of knowledge.
19. A great way to experience positive change in your own life is to help others. Want to feel better about yourself? Try being of service to others.
20. A cliche perhaps, but the message remains timeless — love always wins.
21. Of all the resources in the world, time is the most important one you have.
22. Life is too short and precious to be taken too seriously, strive to find joy and fun in everything you do.
23. You can have all the knowledge and know-how in the world, but it’s what you do with that knowledge that truly matters. Your decisions and actions are what shape your future.
24. Don’t waste good years of your life doing things that don’t set your soul on fire.
25. Good, effective leaders relentlessly take responsibility for their actions and failures, rather than blaming outside forces.

Have any you would add? Hit me with em’!