Have you ever noticed how similar all financial advisor websites look? Carl challenges the sameness in the financial advice industry. Why are so many afraid to stand out? Carl urges advisors to break free from clichés and embrace authenticity! He explores the fear of being different and the courage it takes to push boundaries and show up uniquely in a crowded field.

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Today, Carl Richards discusses the concept of "value capture" beyond financial terms, focusing on how we can capture value in other important aspects of life, like friendships, outdoor experiences, and personal fulfillment. He shares a personal story about balancing the joy of backcountry skiing, which took significant time and effort, with the more efficient alternative of Nordic skiing near his home. Carl emphasizes the importance of understanding what value we’re trying to capture through our activities and making thoughtful decisions based on that. How are you capturing value in your life? Can you adjust your approach to focus more on what truly matters to you?

In this episode, Carl shares a personal reflection on raising children and teaching the value of hard work. He talks about balancing traditional part-time jobs with meaningful opportunities like internships and leadership roles in clubs. Carl explains that while jobs like working at a coffee shop teach valuable lessons, some extracurricular activities may offer a better return on investment in terms of skills and future opportunities. For his family, prioritizing these opportunities has been key to developing values like hard work and proactivity.

Are there ways you can better align your time and energy with your values? Today on Behavior Gap Radio, Carl dives into the mental framework of "value creation and capture," applying it to everyday activities like spending time with friends. He emphasizes that value capture isn’t just about money but also about time, energy, and attention. By understanding the value we want to express—such as friendship or connection—we can make more aligned choices, like opting for a walk with a friend instead of a formal lunch. This approach can help us better align our resources with what truly matters. 

In this episode, Carl unpacks the “process of creating things,” removing the pressure from terms like “creative process” or “art.” He explains that creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration; it’s about creating a process that invites magic to happen. Carl shares how he schedules regular time to sit down and create, regardless of how he feels in the moment. By treating creativity like a job with structure and routine, he’s able to consistently produce work. How can you create the conditions for your own magic to show up?

Join Carl in this heartfelt episode of Behavior Gap Radio as he explores the struggle of feeling unsettled in one’s own plan. Have you ever felt like you’re searching for understanding and belonging? Why do we apologize for our complex nature? Carl reflects on a social media exchange and shares his own challenges in balancing simplicity with chasing something deeper. 

Why is it so hard to feel like we are “enough”? In this episode, Carl explores the concept of structural scarcity—a scarcity mindset built into our systems and culture. From the way we talk about getting ahead to the pressure of keeping up with others, scarcity is everywhere. Carl reflects on the challenge of living in a system that promotes competition and never-ending consumption and how difficult it is to resist moving the goalposts in life. Join Carl on this insightful journey of reflection and practice in navigating the complexities of scarcity and sufficiency.

In this episode, Carl tells the story of someone who reached out to him, struggling with a toxic relationship with money despite having $1.2 million in savings. As soon as the number is mentioned, Carl highlights how our minds tend to shift into judgment mode, trying to evaluate whether this person “should” be struggling. He challenges us to stop using net worth, income, or spending as a tool for judgment and instead focus on the real issue—money struggles often have little to do with the actual amount of money. How does your brain react when you hear someone’s financial situation? Is it possible to look beyond the numbers and empathize with their struggles?

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What happens when small negative events aren’t processed? In this episode, Carl Richards introduces the concept of "micro-PTSD," describing how small events accumulate over time and, if not metabolized, create a state of disequilibrium. Using the analogy of a clogged funnel, Carl discusses the importance of ritualistic ways to process these events, such as journaling, meditation, or time spent in nature. Could regular reflection or rituals help prevent emotional buildup in your life?

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What are some tasks or commitments you can start delegating or eliminating? Carl reflects on the simple yet powerful idea of doing more of what lights you up and less of what doesn’t. He shares how life has improved as he’s become more intentional about focusing on what energizes him and delegating or eliminating tasks that drain him. The challenge, he says, is figuring out what those things are—and it’s a process that takes time. Sometimes, it’s easier to start with a “stop doing” list, identifying things that don’t bring energy and gradually removing them from your life.

Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/