Better vs Worse | Why This Comparison Changes Everything

Rick interviews positivity psychologist Dr. Paul Jenkins about why high achievers feel anxious when career growth slows and how the brain’s two jobs—keeping us safe and proving us right—create fear, confirmation bias, and limiting narratives about purpose. Jenkins explains managing risk (not avoiding or ignoring it), reframing problems into opportunities (“propertunity”), and how labels shape perception and behavior. He introduces metacognition (thinking about thinking) and a model where “what it is” is neutral, while our chosen evaluations drive depression (judging it as worse than better alternatives) or gratitude and peace (comparing to worse), which then fuels creation through hope rather than anxiety. Using personal stories (his son’s cancer recovery) and metaphors (Rubik’s cube, crossing a busy street), he highlights gratitude as a practical “brain hack” and shares three parenting messages: 1. “I love you no matter what,” 2. “If you have questions, ask,” and 3. “Good luck.” (00:00) Winning to Legacy (00:29) Brain Safety and Certainty (07:21) Fear and Sucking First (09:34) Rubik's Cube Rules (14:05) Managing Risk Smartly (23:07) Turning Threats into Opportunity (27:35) Labels Shape Reality (35:11) Humility and Blind Spots (44:18) Metacognition and Choice (48:38) Judgment and Standards (53:18) Better Worse Model (56:04) Neutral Reality Check (56:28) Cancer Call Example (57:52) Better vs Worse Comparisons (01:00:35) Choosing Your Evaluation (01:02:26) Yin Yang Upsides (01:04:01) Gratitude Brain Hack (01:11:29) Faith and Judgment (01:14:52) Creation Mode Explained (01:20:25) Anxiety Depression Hope (01:26:34) Paradox of Upgrades (01:33:07) Parenting the Message (01:36:29) Three Messages to Kids (01:42:34) Free Mini Book Offer Connect with Dr. Paul: https://www.drpauljenkins.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwalkertx Invest in Commercial Real Estate: https://lumicre.com