You're listening to TED Talks Daily. I'm Elise Hugh, and today we are featuring an episode from Rethinking with Adam Grant, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective. It explores the psychology of the world's most interesting minds. I'm really into this episode's counterintuitive look at how we should think about setting goals, especially at this time of year.

If you want to hear more, follow Rethinking with Adam Grant, wherever you listen.

Hey, everyone, it's Adam Grant.

Welcome back to Rethinking, by podcasts on the Science of What Makes Us Tick.

I'm an organizational psychologist, and I'm taking you inside the minds of fascinating people

to explore new thoughts and new ways of thinking.

My guest today is Emmanuel Acho, former NFL linebacker, most notably for the Philadelphia Eagles,

and now an Emmy-winning TV sports analyst and New York Times best-selling author.

Emmanuel hosts the video series and podcast,

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,

and I've learned a lot from his work over the past few years.

He's a thought leader who not only challenges us to think differently,

but makes it surprisingly fun.

I've been following your work for a long time, and I think you bring so much insight and

nuance to complex and charged topics, and hope we'll get to do some of that today.

I want to talk about the forces that have powered all your success.

So maybe we could start there.

I'd love to know how do you go from

Nigerian family to NFL linebacker? Great starting question. So I'm the youngest of four siblings.

We have a saying in Nigeria, nijia no de cari last. You say it with a Nigerian accent.

Nayja no de carri last without the accent, Nigerians don't carry last.

Nigerians, we can't finish last.

...