Summary

Julian Baggini is a writer, best-selling author, and philosopher. This is a discussion that explores the dimensions of reason, rationality, critical thinking. Why it’s important and how we can establish more healthy debate that may just be critical of our continual progress.

We then discuss the topic of “truth.” What it is, why it’s relevant and how we can go about establishing the truth. Two very important themes form this wonderful conversation. (more…)

“Masters are not experts because they take a subject to its conceptual end, they are masters because they realise there isn’t one.” Sarah Lewis

Is self-mastery a mindset? Are we all able to achieve our full potential or is mastery only available to those with the resources or pre-existing talent?

Mastery is the comprehensive knowledge or skill on a particular subject. However, there is always more to learn as time passes and subjects change and evolve, and therefore self-mastery is a continuous, infinite and forever expansive. (more…)

Summary

These days, it’s often easier to avoid face-to-face contact in favor of technological shortcuts. In this episode, Michael Gelb, the author of The Art of Connection, shares not only why real interaction is crucial in building meaningful relationships but are also the key to creating innovative ideas and solving our most intractable problems.

We begin our discussion on the topic of ‘how to think’ with Michael referring to the work in an early book – How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. In discussing each of the “seven steps to genius” Michael makes a clear connection between how they relate to building better relationships and the art of connection. That both he and I agree is an integral part of raising our well-being and living a meaningful life.  (more…)

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Andres Ericsson and Robert Pool

“So here we have purposeful practice in a nutshell: Get outside your comfort zone but do it in a focused way, with clear goals, a plan for reaching those goals, and a way to monitor your progress. Oh, and figure out a way to maintain your motivation.” Anders Ericsson

What does it take to master any skill and become an expert in any particular field? Is it only exclusively available for a select few? Does it boil down to innate talent or something to do with our gene pool? Is mastery prohibitively tricky and therefore not something we can all obtain? Can anyone improve on any skill they desire? (more…)

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs

The noise of the external world is muting the sound of the internal world and therefore our intuition pays the price.

What moments do we have in the day to connect within? How much time do we give to listen to our internal voice? To the desires that I believe guide us in living a life more beautifully and purposefully. (more…)

Summary

Daniel McGinn is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, where he edits the IdeaWatch and How I Did It sections, manages the magazine’s annual Best Performing CEOs in the World ranking, and edits feature articles on topics including negotiation, sales, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we discuss his newest book Psyched Up. Dan shares the science behind mental preparation that can help anyone succeed. (more…)

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky

In this episode, I wish to challenge to our thoughts around the questions of why we exist. If the purpose of life is survival and reproduction, then what is beyond this? Is there deeper purpose and desire common in all life?

I hope to open the dialogue with you to explore this topic further. Comments, thoughts, suggestions welcome here or by connecting with me directly on Facebook or email.

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“It takes the same amount of effort to talk yourself into something as it does to talk yourself out of something.”

This is an interview I did with Chris Ruggiero a while back. It’s an inspiring chat with Chris about how he turned his passion into his lifestyle. He calls himself a one-man variety show that is sure to keep an audience engaged, laughing and amazed. (more…)

Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success by David M. R. Covey and Stephan M. Mardyks

“The greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity or power, but self-rejection.” Henri Nouwen

In this book, the authors share seven traps that people from all walks of life deal with every day. After reading this book, you will be an expert “Trapologist.” Well, that is not entirely accurate because like anything it is one thing to read and learn new information and something else to act on it. (more…)

“Try to imagine what it will be like to go to sleep and never wake up… now try to imagine what it was like to wake up having never gone to sleep.” Alan W. Watts

The opening quotes is a tough one to get your head around. At least it is for me.
I suppose it indicates a sense of “what if…”

What if life was over? What if you fell asleep and never woke up again? What if this was it?

In many ways this is it. This is the time we have and time is now. Today! In this moment. (more…)