You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

As I was prepping for our upcoming Top 3 Most Life-Changing Books series, I realized I could create a little video on my Top 3 favorite teachers. Here it is!

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. Hope you enjoy! Mel Robbins is funny, witty and wise. Her TEDx Talk (called How to stop screwing yourself over) is one of the most popular of all time, with more than 18 million views. This book is also super popular—with over 1,000 Amazon reviews. It's pretty awesome. Actually, the book is REALLY (!) good. In fact, Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule might just be one of THE most elegantly efficient Tools we can use to close the gap between who we're CAPABLE of being and who we're ACTUALLY being. (Seriously.) Big Ideas we explore include The 5 Second Rule (and how/when to rock it), how to win the game of life (hint: start, stay in, for the long game!), excitement + anxiety (and how they feel the same in the body), managing distractions (today a good day?), and changing your life with one moment of everyday courage. Get The 5 Second Rule on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Rule-Transform-Confidence-Everyday/dp/1682612384 Learn more about Mel Robbins: https://www.optimize.me/authors/mel-robbins/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: 5…4…3…2…1… → !!! - +1:The 5 Second Rule | 5… 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … BLASTOFF! (#788) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-5-second-rule/https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-5-second-rule/ - Why Your Snooze Button Sucks | … the Life out of Your Day (#791) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/why-your-snooze-button-sucks/ - +1: The #1 Key to Happiness + Flourishing | Hint: Become BFFs with your Inner Soul (#2) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-1-key-to-happiness-flourishing/ - +1: How to High Five Your Inner Daimon | My Philosophy in One Word (#3) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-high-five-your-inner-daimon/ - Optimus Jet Packs | Strap Yours on Today and GO! (#804) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/optimus-jet-packs/ - +1: +1 or -1 = Destiny Math | What Must YOU be? (#1) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/destiny-math/ Big Idea 2: HOW TO WIN - PN: Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/art-and-fear-david-bayles-ted-orland/ - PN: Originals by Adam Grant → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/originals-adam-grant/ Big Idea 3: ANXIETY → EXCITEMENT - +1: "I'm Excited!" | What to Say to Yourself When You're Feeling Nerves (#27) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/im-excited/ Big Idea 4: FOCUS - +1: WIN! WIN! WIN! | What's Your Next Most Important Thing? (<- Crush That. Repeat.) (#421) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/win-win-win/ - +1:What's Important Now? (Part 2) | How to Win 28 Olympic Medals (#276) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/whats-important-now-part-2/ Big Idea 5: ONE MOMENT - +1: Carpe Punctum | You Can't Seize Days—Only Moments (#227) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/carpe-punctum/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The 5 Second Rule and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/ ► MORE GOODNESS: - Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/ - Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/ - Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday. Hope you enjoy! This is our fourth Note on one of Ryan Holiday's books. Ryan is one of my absolute favorite writers. One of the testimonials in the front of the book perfectly captures my sentiment. Screenwriter and director Brian Koppelman (Rounders, Ocean's Thirteen and Billions) puts it this way: "I don't have many rules in life, but one I never break is: If Ryan Holiday writes a book, I read it as soon as I can get my hands on it." (btw: Cal Newport's the first testimonial. He says: "Some authors give advice. Ryan Holiday distills wisdom. This book is a must read.") Penguin Random House sent me an advance copy of this book. As I knew it would be: It's fantastic. Of course, the book's packed with Big Ideas and I'm excited to share some of my favorites so let's jump straight in! Get Stillness Is the Key on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585 Learn more about Ryan Holiday: https://www.optimize.me/authors/ryan-holiday/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Stillness Is the Key and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/ ► MORE GOODNESS: - Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/ - Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/ - Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.. Hope you enjoy! I'm a big fan of Kelly McGonigal and her ability to help us apply scientific wisdom to our lives. We've covered two of her earlier books: The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. So... When I got this book, knew I'd enjoy it. But, I didn't anticipate JUST how much I'd love it. We have some great Notes on Movement (Spark, Spartan Up and No Sweat among my favorites), but Kelly's book will be our new go-to for the science of WHY exercise/movement is so essential to our well-being. It's PHENOMENAL. Reading about the SCIENCE behind stories of transformation (and how, as per the sub-title of her book: "Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage") also made me that much more clear on the power of what we're doing with all of our work and the importance of focusing so much on Energy (especially with our Mastery and Coach programs). Big Ideas we explore include: Hope Molecules (and how to create them), persistence highs (and how to create them), collective effervescence (and why it's so awesome), how we endure (hint: TOGETHER!), and OMMS!!! (Obstacles (literally!) Make Me Stronger!). Get The Joy of Movement on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Movement-exercise-happiness-connection/dp/0525534105 Learn more about Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.: https://www.optimize.me/authors/kelly-mcgonigal/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The Joy of Movement and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/ ► MORE GOODNESS: - Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/ - Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/ - Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/ - Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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Scott Barry Kaufman is one of the world's leading positive psychologists. We featured one of his earlier books called Wired to Create. So, when a bunch of our Optimizers recommended his new book called Transcend I was eager to get it. (Thank you!! Keep 'em coming, please!) It's FANTASTIC. In short, it's an update on Abraham Maslow's thinking—moving us beyond self-actualizing into the ULTIMATE realm of "transcending" ourselves in service to the world. Or, as Scott puts it in the sub-title to the book: "The New Science of Self-Actualization." It's an important, wise book. If you're into the science of Optimizing and Actualizing, I think you'll love it as much as I did. Check out the Notes, get it, etc. So… I imagine we'll talk about a number of Big Ideas from that book. Today I want to chat about one in particular. Have you ever heard of "The Jonah Complex"? I hadn't before Scott introduced me to it. We meet Jonah in the Old Testament. God has big plans for him. But… Jonah isn't such a big fan of those big plans. So… He tries to hide from God and avoid his destiny. Of course, important detail to the story: You can't hide from God. (Hah!) So, eventually, Jonah accepts his fate and does what he's here's to do. Scott talks about this in a chapter on "Self-Esteem" in which he walks us through a nuanced discussion about what healthy ambition (and pride) looks like vis-a-vis the less healthy expression of ambition and pride that shows up in what psychologists call "vulnerable" and "grandiose narcissism." We'll save that important, nuanced discussion for another time. For now, here's how Scott frames it in Transcend: "Maslow argued that in order to avoid punishment from society, the person 'becomes humble, ingratiating, appeasing, even masochistic. In short, due to fear of punishment for being superior, she becomes inferior and throws away some of her possibilities for humanness. For the sake of safety and security, she cripples and stunts herself. . . . That is, she is evading the task for which she was born, so to speak. She is evading her destiny.' Maslow refers to this as the 'Jonah Complex,' a phenomenon described by the historian Frank Manuel. This phrase is based on the biblical tale of Jonah who, out of fear, tries to run from God's prophecy, but he can find no place to hide. Finally, accepting his fate, he does what he is called to do." He continues by saying: "So let me state this as clearly as possible: you may not be entitled to shine, but you have a right to shine, because you are a worthy human being. Changing your self-limiting narratives about your worthiness, asserting needs in a healthy way, overcoming your avoidance of fearful experiences, and taking responsibility for your behaviors—these actions strengthen and stabilize the vulnerable self. The great irony is that the less you focus on whether you are worthy and competent, and take that as a given, the greater the chances you will consistently accept your inherent worth." That's Today's +1. Are you being called by God or whatever you call that power that's bigger than you? If yes, are you answering the call? If not, are you quieting down long enough to hear that quiet voice? As you've probably picked up by now, I believe we are ALL being called to shine. So… Let's humbly yet powerfully answer that call as we overcome our avoidance of fearful experiences, take responsibility for our behaviors and take it as a given that we are worthy. Then go give our families, communities, and the world all we've got. When? How about TODAY.

Larry King + James Pawelski interview link: https://the.positivevoices.com/live-audience-yes Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

From Notes on Jim Afremow's Champion's Mind: https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-champions-mind-jim-afremow/https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-... "Take a minute right now to think about your performance when you did not believe a good or respectable outcome was possible but you still found a way to make it happen. There is beauty in being ugly but effective (UBE) or having a good bad day (GBD) while you are not at your finest. Keep your head in the game and grind it out." There's a powerful beauty in being ugly but effective and having good bad days. UBE + GBD. This is big. If we want to cultivate truly intense trust in ourselves, we need to know that we can pull it together when things start falling apart. Jack Nicklaus called it playing poorly well. Afremow tells us Rory McIlroy calls it "scrappy golf." Step #1 to making that happen is to KNOW that you will have x bad shots per round. It's the unhealthy perfectionists among us (*waving to my old self!*) who struggle with this the most— thinking they should be able to get thru the day P.E.R.F.E.C.T.L.Y. (but only every day) and that if they don't, it's a sign of something being inherently wrong with them. (Hah.) We need to hold our high standards of excellence while embracing the constraints of reality that (tragically!) we will *never* be perfect. Then... when the inevitable bad shot comes along, rather than beating ourselves up, we simply say, "Aha! There's a bad shot. I knew you'd sneak in at some point. No big deal. Back to work." So... How's your ugly? Here's to being ugly but effective and having good bad days! #UBE + #GBD!