Optimize With Brian Johnson | More Wisdom In Less Time

Steve Chandler tells us “There is bad and there is good . . . And then there is crazy good." And, our path to living a crazy-good life is simple. It's all about CHOICES. As with all of Steve's books, this one is packed with wisdom. Big Ideas we cover include The 5% Solution, Systems vs. Dreams, Game vs. Shame, and making life an experiment.

You want to develop *true* confidence? Scientists like Heidi Grant Halvorson tell us we need to have confidence in our ability to achieve our goals *and* in the fact that we will face challenges on the way. Here's a quick look at how to rock it!

Gabriel Oettingen is one of the world's leading researchers in "The New Science of Motivation." The basic idea of the book is captured in a clever image on the cover: Rose colored glasses with one lens cracked. Oettingen walks us thru the compelling research that demonstrates the power of seeing both the positive AND the challenges. When we contrast our wishes with the obstacles to their attainment we, almost magically, catalyze an extraordinarily higher level of performance. 

Did you know exercise is as effective as Zoloft in reducing depression? Yep. Experts say *not* exercising is like taking a depressant. Here's to getting our exercise on!! -)

Dan Millman (author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior and other great books) introduced me to David Reynolds's great book Constructive Living years ago as he's been deeply influenced by David's integration of Zen Buddhism and Western Psychotherapy. I like to say it's the best book you've (likely) never heard of. Join David and I for a chat about some of my favorite Big Ideas on how to live with greater self-mastery by more effectively relating to our emotions and consistently asking ourselves: "Now what needs to be done?!"

Da Vinci tells us one can have no greater mastery than mastery of oneself. Scientists agree. Self-control is the greatest predictor of all things good. Here's a powerful practice to gain mastery and rock it!

You have any impulsive behaviors you'd like to cool off? (If you're human, the answer is yes.) Then If-Then planning for hot spots is for you!

Spiritual indigestion. It comes from a lot of studying and not a lot of applying. The solution is simple - move from theory to practice by LIVING your truths! -)

Test: "I'll give you two marshmallows if you wait 20 minutes or you can have one now." How pre-schoolers responded to that predicted their SAT scores at 16, their BMI at 30 and brain health at 50. (WOW.)

It's time to quit *pursuing* happiness and *practice* it!!

Tom Morris tells us we can either make our life a tent or a tower. If we're going the tower route, we want to pay attention to the foundation.

Do you have big problem in your life? Hate to break it to you but all that means is that you're being a small person!

Be quick!! But don't hurry. John Wooden repeated that all.the.time to his players in every.single.practice. We need to live with intensity (!), fully showing up and playing at the edge of our abilities WHILE staying centered. Andy Hill walks us through how he learned how to do that playing under Wooden during their dynasty days.

Fact - We already know. The question is - do we have the courage to trust ourselves and follow our own wisdom? Here are a few exercises and questions to help you tap into your inner wisdom and develop your intuition!

There's a sweet spot between your comfort zone and your survival zone. That's where we want to hang out as we deliberately practice and move to mastery.

Abraham Maslow tells us that in any given moment we can either step forward into growth or back into safety. +1 or -1. +1 or -1. Here's why those decisions matter and how you can rock it!!

Tim Sanders is awesome. He was the Chief Solutions Officer for Yahoo! back in the day and wrote the uber-cool book Love Is the Killer App. In this interview, we’ll learn how to be truly rich via powerful daily practices as we become healthy-thought nuts and POETs who practice persistence. Fun!

Want to optimize your life? Try this simple exercise to identify the top things you could *start* doing and *stop* doing that will lead to the most positive impact in your life!!

Did you know there’s an equation for Procrastination? Yep. Expectancy x Value / Impulsiveness x Delay = Motivation. Thank you, Piers Steel. In this great book, Piers (a leading researcher on the science of motivation/procrastination) walks us thru the power of that equation. Big Ideas we explore include: Mental Contrasting (and why it beats creative visualization), goal setting (3 scientific keys) and how to add a month of productivity to your year.

Want to figure out your mission in life? Here are 5 Big Ideas + 5 journal questions + 5 tips to help you rock it!!!