Seven Steps to Smile

Shravan Lucken
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement

We're all trying to lead happier lives. But what does that mean? Join me as I archive the lessons I learn while navigating the nuances of my life. Who knows? We may have more in common than you could imagine!

Episodes

  1. Feb 2

    12. How to Use Compassion as a Superpower

    Send a text Compassion often gets framed as being soft, forgiving, or endlessly patient. That’s not what this episode is about. This is a conversation about compassion as a practical skill — one that makes your life calmer, your relationships cleaner, and your decisions easier to live with. Not because people suddenly behave better, but because you realise that the reasons behind their behavior aren't personal to you. We talk about what it actually means to understand someone’s context without excusing their behaviour, why judgment keeps you stuck longer than you realise, and how compassion can help you set clearer boundaries instead of weaker ones. This isn’t about letting things slide or avoiding hard conversations. It’s about responding in a way that doesn’t drain you. No pressure to be “better.” Just an honest look at how compassion, practiced properly, can free up energy, reduce friction, and help you move through the world with a little more steadiness. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    15 min

  2. Jan 27

    11. How to Make the Bad Days Count (Low-Capacity Strategy)

    Send a text Some days, you just don’t have the same energy, focus, or emotional space that you usually do. You still care. You still want to show up. But everything feels much harder than normal. You're not alone... we all have our low-capacity days.  In this episode I share a way I've learned to deal with them Not how to push through them. And not how to disappear from my responsibilities either. It’s a reflection on how to stay honest with yourself when your resources are limited — how to keep a relationship with your goals without punishing yourself, numbing out, or pretending everything is fine. I speak about the difference between rest and avoidance, compassion and self-betrayal, and what “showing up” can realistically look like when you don’t feel like your best self. This isn’t about productivity. It’s about integrity, self-trust, and learning how to stay in the game even when you’re tired. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or plainly exhausted, this one’s for you. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    18 min

  3. Jan 19

    what to do when you're doing enough (it doesn't feel like it)

    Send a text There’s a strange place you can end up in where you are genuinely trying. You’re showing up more often than not, doing what you said you would do, and still… it doesn’t feel like much. No real sense of progress. No satisfaction. Is this really it? This episode is a reflection on that space. The one where effort hasn’t turned into anything you can feel yet. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    15 min

  4. Jan 10

    How to Trust Yourself Again (After You've Broken Promises to Yourself)

    Send a text At some point, we waver in the belief of our own plans. Not because we don’t care — but because we’ve made promises to ourselves we couldn’t keep, and we lost the ability to trust ourselves. This episode is about rebuilding self-trust after that happens. Not through motivation, pressure, or big resets... but through smaller promises, honest expectations, and prioritizing showing up over getting it right. It’s a conversation about integrity, follow-through, and learning how trust yourself to do everything that the best version of you does. Mental Bandwidth Problem Episode Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    21 min

  5. Jan 3

    Stop Asking ‘What Should I Do This Year’ (Ask This Instead)

    Send a text Every January we ask the same question: What should I do this year? New goals. New plans. New pressure. This episode explores why that question sets us up to fail (and what to ask instead) Join us as we unpack how identity drives behaviour, why motivation isn’t the real problem, and how small, repeatable actions can reshape who you believe you are. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by New Year goals, stuck after a strong start, or frustrated by plans that never quite stick, this episode offers a calmer, more sustainable way forward. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming someone who does. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    18 min

  6. 12/26/2025

    The Mental Bandwidth Problem

    Send a text Feelings of overwhelm and scarcity hijack our thinking all the time. When we feel like we don't have enough time, money, love, or anything that we value, it affects every part of our lives. But there's a way to beat this problem, a simple 5-step solution to buy yourself some breathing room to make better decisions. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    18 min

  7. 12/20/2025

    Becoming the Best You (The Identity Loop)

    Send a text The person that you believe you are is the person that you become. The stories that we keep telling about ourselves give meaning to our behaviours and our lives. Learn how to take control of your identity and become the best version of yourself. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    17 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    When to Ask Why?

    Send a text Asking "Why" is how we make sense of the world;  it's how we find meaning and make connections within our uncertain world. But asking "Why" too much can lead to rumination, anxiety, and inaction. Join me as we break down how we can be more proactive instead of being stuck in the "Why" loop. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    13 min

  9. 12/07/2025

    Win with Less Effort (The Effort Heuristic)

    Send a text We love to overvalue things that feel harder. That's the effort heuristic. Join me as we learn more about how this mental shortcut is secretly shaping our decisions, and what we can do to manage it. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    22 min

  10. 11/27/2025

    The Hidden Costs of Loss Aversion

    Send a text A short, powerful episode on how we are being limited by a hardwired aversion to loss. Makes sense right? Nobody likes losing! But it could be holding you back. Join me as we talk about what the problem is, and how we can overcome our mental programming to stay painfully comfortable. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    16 min

  11. 11/19/2025

    The Importance of Attention

    Send a text This week, we talk about the importance of attention. How can you regain control of your attention in a world full of distractions? When should you not pay attention? These questions and more will be answered in less than 25 minutes! A more intentional approach to budgeting your attention can make you happier; find out how. Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    25 min

  12. 09/05/2025

    Episode 1 (Rambling Intro)

    Send a text Hey, I'm Shravan. In this completely unstructured introduction episode, I touched on my own background, why I started the podcast, and why it's named "Seven Steps to Smile." I hope you enjoy! Instagram: @shrav_lucken

    13 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

We're all trying to lead happier lives. But what does that mean? Join me as I archive the lessons I learn while navigating the nuances of my life. Who knows? We may have more in common than you could imagine!

Information

  • Creator
    Shravan Lucken
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seven Steps to Smile
  • Show Website
    Seven Steps to Smile