How To Stop an Anxiety Spiral, The Best Protections Against Financial Ruin, and a Workaholic's Guide to Productivity (and Self-Care) | Andrew Ross Sorkin - 10% Happier with Dan Harris Recap

Podcast: 10% Happier with Dan Harris

Published: 2026-02-06

Duration: 54 min

Guests: Andrew Ross Sorkin

Summary

Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses managing financial anxiety, the role of human nature in economic booms and busts, and his productivity strategies, including meditation.

What Happened

Andrew Ross Sorkin reflects on the 1929 stock market crash and its lessons about human nature and financial markets. He emphasizes that the real story is about human behavior, not just economic systems or regulations, highlighting how people's tendencies toward fear of missing out (FOMO) drive them to make risky investment decisions.

Sorkin advises adopting a mindset of humility and curiosity to protect oneself financially, taking inspiration from Warren Buffett's disciplined and unemotional approach to investing. He stresses the importance of not taking on excessive debt and being prepared for economic downturns by maintaining a 'serviceable' level of debt.

The conversation explores the anxiety many people feel about money, with Sorkin sharing personal experiences and insights about managing financial stress. He suggests budgeting as a practical tool to gain clarity and control over personal finances, offering an example of his family's approach to frugality.

Sorkin also delves into his meditation practice, particularly transcendental meditation (TM), which he has found beneficial in reducing stress and increasing focus. He admits to not meditating as regularly as before but finds the practice has equipped him with tools to calm himself in high-pressure situations.

Discussing productivity, Sorkin shares his strategy of calendar blocking over to-do lists, allowing him to manage his extensive commitments effectively. He acknowledges the trade-off in reduced serendipity but finds this approach necessary to balance his professional and personal responsibilities.

Sorkin addresses the 'polite no' as a key productivity tool, emphasizing the importance of quickly responding to requests to prevent unnecessary mental burden. He reflects on the tension between being a public figure and maintaining personal privacy, seeking guidance on how much of oneself to share publicly.

Key Insights

• The 1929 stock market crash serves as a lesson in human behavior, where fear of missing out (FOMO) drove risky investment decisions, highlighting the psychological factors influencing financial markets.
• Adopting a mindset of humility and curiosity, similar to Warren Buffett's approach, can protect against financial ruin by avoiding excessive debt and preparing for economic downturns.
• Transcendental meditation (TM) can reduce stress and enhance focus, providing tools to manage high-pressure situations even if not practiced regularly.
• Calendar blocking, as opposed to using to-do lists, can effectively manage extensive commitments by organizing time and reducing mental burden, though it may limit spontaneous opportunities.