Real Health Podcast: Sarah Knight on how to grow the f**k up

While it's easy to point fingers, how many times have you stopped and assessed how good you are at all this adulting stuff?

My guest this week has been called the ‘anti guru’, is a New York Times best selling author and her Ted Talk has been viewed over 10 million times.

Sarah Knight’s new book Grow the F**k up, is a no nonsense guide to becoming more self sufficient, even if you have been at this adult thing for a while.

Sarah says a key part of learning how to be your best adult self is to be more self aware.

“You're never going to get what you want and need and deserve if you can't tell people what you want and need and deserve, and you won't be able to tell people that if you can't figure it out for yourself.

“I have this three step method, and it's called how, why, what?

“Once you've narrow that down and you've become more self-aware about how you're feeling and why, then the next question is, okay, what am I going to do about it? And really you can't get there without answering those first two questions.”

Being an adult also means being aware that the things you do and say have consequences. Sarah’s advice is to take a breath before jumping into anything, and think about what the future consequences of your actions might be.

“It can be tempting to fly by the seat of your pants and not pause and think and strategize just a little bit. But when you don't spend those five or 10 minutes pausing and thinking and strategizing, you can create so much more trouble for yourself.

“I just keep trying to urge people to stop and remember your ABCs? My actions and behaviour have consequences. Then go forth and act and behave in a way that minimizes the bad consequences and orchestrates the best ones.”

You can listen to the full interview on Independent.ie or wherever you get your podcast.