Akrasia: Bridging the Gap Between Knowing and Doing

19 min

Explore akrasia, the ancient Greek concept of the gap between knowing and doing. Learn why we struggle with self-mastery and how to bridge the effort gap.

Akrasia: Bridging the Gap Between Knowing and Doing

More like this

podcast cover
The Intention–Behavior Gap - Sheeran - 2016 - Social and Personality Psychology Compass - Wiley Online LibraryFeature Review Leveraging cognitive neuroscience for making and breaking real-world habitsSmarter, Not Harder: A Toolbox Approach to Enhancing Self-ControlSelf-Regulation Without Force: Can Awareness Leverage Reward to Drive Behavior Change?
6 sources
Closing the Intention-Action Gap
podcast cover
Don't Overthink ItThe Art of Taking ActionHow to Stop ProcrastinatingThe Science of Getting Started
30 sources
Taking action is harder than planning
podcast cover
Stick with ItBadass HabitsMaking Habits, Breaking HabitsGood Habits, Bad Habits
30 sources
Self-improvement: Why your brain confuses learning with doing
podcast cover
Learned Helplessness: Why You Feel Stuck When You Have Every Option - Annie Wright, LMFTPsychology says the most disciplined people aren't the ones with the most willpower, they're the ones who learned early that structure was the only predictable thing in an unpredictable home, and the discipline everyone admires is the same thing keeping them locked out of their own livesIdentity-Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals This YearIdentity-based habits persist longer | How to Think AI
5 sources
The Neurological Architecture of Staying Stuck
podcast cover
The Akrasia Effect: Why We Don’t Follow Through on ThingsWhy Do I Procrastinate When I Know Better? The Real ReasonHow to stop worrying about what others think - HeadspaceHow to (finally) stop worrying about what other people think  — Calm Blog
7 sources
Closing the Gap: The Science of Follow-Through
podcast cover
How To Stop OverthinkingUnderstanding the Cycle of Chronic Overthinking6 Tips to Overcome Analysis ParalysisHow to Overcome Analysis Paralysis: 7 Proven Strategies to Start Taking Action Today - LifeHack
7 sources
The Overthinking Trap: Breaking the Cycle
podcast cover
The Psychology of Motivation | Psychology TodayProcrastination: A Brief Guide on How to Stop ProcrastinatingHow To Start New Habits That Actually Stick - James ClearHow to build a habit in 5 steps, according to science
5 sources
The Weight of the Unstarted Task
podcast cover
source 1source 2source 3source 4
6 sources
The Weight of Knowing Without Doing

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Start your learning journey, now