MEET DR. AMANDA CROWELL
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR, GREAT WORK GUIDE
About Dr. Amanda Crowell
I am a cognitive psychologist, author of Great Work, TEDx speaker, and Great Work guide. I help people clarify what matters to them, find their people, and build work they are proud of. My research and teaching focus on motivation, creativity, and the social networks that allow your ideas to take off.
My work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Al Jazeera, MSN, AOL, and Thrive Global (among others). My TEDx talk has reached millions of viewers, and I teach at Hunter College in New York City.
Great Work is not about doing more. It is about doing what matters most and letting the rest fall away. I believe that when people align their time with their most meaningful ideas, they create a life that feels purposeful, sustainable, and energizing.
QUICK FACTS
Education:
PhD in Cognitive Psychology, Columbia University
Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology, Boston College
Research & Teaching:
Faculty in the School of Education at Hunter College, City University of New York. Teaching focused on motivation, creativity, and self-regulated learning.
Books:
Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Else (Second Edition, 2025)
Talks:
TEDx: Three Reasons You Aren’t Doing What You Say You Will Do with millions of views/listens across TEDx platforms
Featured In:
Wall Street Journal
NPR
MSN
AOL
Al Jazeera
Thrive Global
Quartz
Creator of:
Great Work Journal
Great Work Series
Network Effect Mastermind
Unleashing Your Great Work podcast
My Path To Great Work
I spent years saying yes to every opportunity, operating under the belief that working harder was the surest path forward. The result was a calendar full of commitments and no room for my own ideas, projects, or creative passions.
Eventually, my pace caught up with me. A trip to the ER made it clear that something needed to change, so I stepped back and turned to the research I knew best. As a cognitive psychologist, my work focuses on educational psychology and motivation, two areas rife with studies onabout focus, productivity, and getting things done.
And it worked! My systems got better, and my output increased… but I was still filling every spare moment with more work.
I learned this the hard way: Greater productivity without intention does not create ease. It accelerates overworking.
A second turning point arrived when an autoimmune flare stopped me completely. I stepped back because I thought I had nothing left to give. I assumed my drive and ambition were gone for good.
Instead, something unexpected happened.
Without the constant pressure to do more, my own ideas made themselves known.
That forced pause became a moment of clarity. I began exploring a different body of research, this time focused on creativity, innovation, intention, purpose, passion, and the power of saying no. I finally created real space, not just better efficiency, and in that space I rediscovered what energized me, what mattered to me, and what I wanted to build.
That was the beginning of the Great Work Method.
I applied those principles in my own life first. I clarified what mattered most to me, created room for my best ideas, and strengthened my network. Little by little, my work began to move forward again in a steady, sustainable way. That process became the foundation of the Great Work Method.
Today I help people take their own version of that journey.
Great Work grows from clarity, collaboration, and consistent progress. When we give our most meaningful ideas the space and support they deserve, our lives expand in ways that feel purposeful and true.
The Great Work Method
The Great Work Method is a research-grounded approach that helps people bring their most meaningful ideas to life. It draws from cognitive psychology, creativity research, and social network theory to help people choose the right work, create space for it, and move forward in a steady, sustainable way.
Five Core Elements of Great Work
VISION
Vision is the idea, project, or direction that pulls you forward like a magnet. It’s the energizing image of what you are creating, the sense of possibility that gives your work momentum and meaning.
MINDSET
Learning to work skillfully with your thoughts and expectations helps you stay grounded, brave, and open to the opportunities that unfold as your Great Work evolves.
SELF-EXPERTISE
Developing self expertise means understanding your strengths, rhythms, and natural ways of working. It helps you design a sustainable approach to your Great Work.
ALIGNED ACTION
Aligned action turns intention into momentum. It emphasizes small, meaningful steps that focus on what matters right now so your most important ideas can grow without burnout.
COLLABORATION
Collaboration connects your work to the people who can support, challenge, and amplify it. Strong relationships create energy, opportunity, and a sense of shared momentum that helps Great Work flourish.
How I Work WIth People
People come to Great Work from many different paths. Some want clarity, some want momentum, and others want a community that helps their ideas grow. I offer a range of ways to explore and build your Great Work, from self-paced resources to deep collaboration.
Here are the main places where we can connect:
The Book
My book, Great Work, introduces the philosophy and practical tools behind meaningful, purpose-driven progress. It’s a great starting point if you want a clear, inspiring foundation for the work you want to do.
The Great Work Journal
A guided journal that helps you reflect, focus, and make intentional progress. It supports consistency without pressure and gives your ideas a place to land.
Workshops and Classes
Throughout the year, I teach live classes that help people clarify their ideas, understand their resistance, develop better habits, and connect with others doing meaningful work.
The Network Effect Mastermind
A collaborative, high-touch experience for people who want to expand their visibility, deepen their relationships, and create the opportunities that sustain Great Work over time. This is where creativity and connection come together.
Speaking and Facilitation
I speak on motivation, creativity, the psychology of Great Work, and the power of collaboration. I also work with teams and organizations that want to help their people grow, innovate, and lead with purpose.
Coaching (currently full)
I coach a small number of people each year. My practice is full at the moment, but my classes, writing, and mastermind offer many ways to get support and stay connected.
A Few Personal Notes
I love creative projects. In addition to Great Work, I’ve written a novel and a screenplay. I’m not sure where they are going, but that’s part of the fun!
I teach at Hunter College, where my students constantly remind me how inventive and resourceful people can be.
I am happiest when I’m helping people bring their meaningful ideas to life.
I’m a longtime fan of musical theater and love any story that sneaks in a bit of magic or amazing choreography.
I live in New Jersey with my family and our dog, Ruthie, a Newfie-poo who arrived during the pandemic and therefore has no idea that people have jobs. She is genuinely horrified when I’m more than three feet away.
When I’m not writing or teaching, I’m usually reading a novel, learning something new, or trying to learn how to draw.
