The Human Optimization Project

Hosted ByMayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E68 Quiet the inner critic: Mastering self-compassion

9 de septiembre de 2026 casimedicos The Human Optimization Project 00:50:25 Comentarios desactivados en Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E68 Quiet the inner critic: Mastering self-compassion

Ambitious people often credit their success to a strong inner critic. They take pride in “stayinghungry” and talk about complacency likeit’san existential threat. But that same voice can steal the joy from our happiest moments – moments in life where we should feel proud andaccomplished, but all we can see are the little missteps we took along the way. Or the things wehaven’tyet accomplished.

So how do we make room for joy and positivity without eroding our motivation and ambition?

This episode,we’rejoined by two experts from the Compassion Institute – Program Director Aproteem Choudhury, and Executive Director Stephen Butler – to talk about how mastering the art of self-compassion can fight burnout, increase satisfaction, and propel sustained achievement.

The three big questions we have forAproand Stephen are:

1.What is self-compassion, and why is it important?

2.Why do we tend to be our own harshest critic, and why is it so hard to be kind to ourselves?

3.How can people develop more self-compassion whilemaintaininghigh standardsand fueling growth?

Learn more about On Human Optimization and access Pod-Club questions at https://ce.mayo.edu/content/mayo-clinic-human-optimization
Instagram: @MayoHumanOptimization
YouTube: On Human Optimization – YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

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