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…)

Summary 

Jack Skeen is the author of The Circle Blueprint. In this episode, we discuss the some of the details of this book. Who it applies to, why it’s important to so many people today and how we can go about developing our circle. Are you thriving or just surviving? Are you energized, balanced, and happy?

It is Jacks hope that he can help others get to the root of the problem, and from there develop a roadmap for getting your life on a more positive trajectory. (more…)

“The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” Mike Murdock

What does a perfect day look and feel like to you?

I shared a quick thought on this recently, which you can listen to here.

It’s an important topic to discuss and a useful question to ask yourself. We can learn a heck of a lot by reflecting on our time for all that is good, bad, successful, unsuccessful, joyous or painful. (more…)