The Psychology of Purpose: How to Build Confidence and Transform Your Life with Ian Robertson.

What if we told you that your brain has the power to completely transform how you think - at any age?

We travel to Dublin and sit down with Professor Ian Robertson, a world-leading neuroscientist who has dedicated his career to helping individuals harness control over their mental processes. He is also a professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin, where he draws on his ground-breaking research into brain plasticity to provide valuable insights into how our brains can adapt and change, even later in life. Ian is also the author of the bestselling books: How Confidence Works, The Winner Effect, and The Stress Test (amongst many others!) which further explore the concepts we discuss in this enlightening conversation.

From his humble beginnings in Glasgow to becoming a top figure in clinical psychology, Ian shares his challenges to traditional psychology and expresses his mission to help others realize the control they have over their minds. We dive into the science of confidence, exploring why it’s built through small wins, how anxiety and control impact mental health, and how purpose and values can reduce stress and enhance resilience.

You’ll learn:

• How confidence is built through small successes and failures.
• The brain’s neuroplasticity and ability to change how you think.
• Tips for managing anxiety.
• The role of purpose and values in reducing stress.
• The dangers of overconfidence.
• Gender differences in confidence.
• Building values and purpose into wealth transition.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome to High Net Purpose

00:36 – Professor Ian Robertson: The Science of Confidence

01:19 – What Really Builds Confidence

01:51 – How His Personal Story Led to Brain Science

04:25 – Helping Kids (and Adults) Grow True Confidence

07:30 – Why Success and Failure Are Both Essential

16:08 – The Dangers of Overconfidence

21:06 – Your Brain’s Tug-of-War: Approach vs. Avoidance

23:16 – Is Overprotective Parenting Undermining Resilience?

25:07 – Training Your Attention to Build Confidence

26:42 – The Role of Mindset in Transformation

28:24 – Why Gender Still Shapes Confidence Differently

30:59 – How Confidence and Happiness Are Linked

32:12 – Wellbeing, Status & the Confidence Gap

33:31 – Confidence and the Challenge of Wealth Transfer

41:40 – Why Values and Purpose Matter More Than Ever

44:39 – Final Thoughts from Ian Robertson

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