You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Check out the module preview and download the free worksheets at: https://www.optimize.me/coach-module-ii-2/ Preparing for Our Heroic Quests by Training Like Warriors and Stocking Our Armamentarium With Tools + Weapons + Provisions. In Module II.2, we practice our philosophy with intensity, learn basic orienteering, and equip ourselves with ready-at-hand tools for the journey, including a Virtue Compass, Heroic Healing Balm, Hero Pills, Secret Weapons, Hero Fires, Pearls, Hope Maps, and Hero Bars.

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Check out the module preview and download the free worksheets at: https://www.optimize.me/coach-module-ii-1/ The Study of a Good Hero and How To Create Antifragile Confidence + Heroic Courage + Response-Ability. In Module II.1, we define the rules of the game, remind ourselves that we will always (!!!) face challenges, meet our training partners, learn how to use obstacles as fuel for growth, and prepare ourselves to face anything that life throws at us as we give our best in service to others.

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Check out the module preview and download the free worksheets at: https://www.optimize.me/coach-module-i/ The Study of a Good Soul and How To Operationalize Virtue via Ancient Wisdom + Modern Science + Practical Optimizing Tools. In Module I, we define the game that we're playing, hang out with Aristotle, Abraham Maslow and Martin Seligman, discover that the word "psychology" literally means "the study of the soul" and commit to studying what a "good soul" (aka eudaimonia) looks like as we, most importantly, learn how to master the process of high-fiving our inner souls all day every day by operationalizing virtue.

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!) Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!) Check out the module preview and download the free worksheets at: https://www.optimize.me/coach-module-o/ A Welcome and Invitation To Commit. In the introduction to the Optimize Mastery Series and Optimize Coach program, we learn the process for expressing the Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimon = Hero versions of ourselves more and more consistently, closing the gap between who we're CAPABLE of being and who we're ACTUALLY being and giving the world all we've got.

Here are my Top 3 FOCUSING Books of All Time: #1: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport #2: Irresistible by Adam Alter #3: Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books in this video: https://youtu.be/eHMnL7MCMrs

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 my Top 3 BREATHING Books of All Time: https://www.optimize.me/top3/breathing #1: The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-oxygen-advantage-patrick-mckeown/ #2: Breath by James Nestor → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/breath-james-nestor/ #3: True to Form by Dr. Eric Goodman → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/true-to-form-eric-goodman/ Get The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Oxygen-Advantage-Scientifically-Breathing-Techniques/dp/0062349457/?tag=entheos06-20 Get Breath by James Nestor on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615 Get True to Form by Dr. Eric Goodman on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/True-Form-Foundation-Training-Sustained/dp/0062315315?tag=entheos06-20 ► RELATED RESOURCES: #1: THE OXYGEN ADVANTAGE by Patrick McKeown - +1: The Magic Spot in Our Mouths | High Five It and Shine! (#1230) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-magic-spot-in-our-mouths/ - +1: The Rules of Breathing | The Big 3: Nose + Belly + Exhale (#485) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-rules-of-breathing/ #2: BREATH by James Nestor - +1: Breathe Less | To Breathe Right (#1231) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/breathe-less/ #3: TRUE TO FORM by Dr. Eric Goodman - +1: Ballet, Anyone? | Head Threads + Power Poses + Thor's Hammer (#600) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/ballet-anyone/ ► FREE 14-DAY OPTIMIZE TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNotes on these great books and over 600 others by starting a Free 14-Day Optimize trial membership: 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/ - Learn More about Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach/

Hope | The Best Bridge? (#948) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/despair-hope/\n- +1: Sleep Efficiency | Want 8 Hours? Be in Bed for 9! (#913) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sleep-efficiency/\n- +1: Foundation vs. Pillars | Our #1 Fundie? Sleep! (#911) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/foundation-vs-pillars/\n\n#2: THE SLEEP REVOLUTION by Arianna Huffington\n- +1: Sleeping with Tom Brady | And Roger Federer and LeBron James (#629) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sleeping-with-tom-brady/\n- +1: Making Money BECAUSE You Sleep | Sleeping with Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett (#648) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/making-money-because-you-sleep/\n- +1: Alarms: Work-Down vs. Wake-Up | One's (at Least!) 10x Better than the Other (#647) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/alarms-work-down-vs-wake-up/\n\n#3: SLEEP SMARTER by Shawn Stevenson\n- +1: Digital Sunset | Bedtime for Your Electronics (#152) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/digital-sunset/\n\n► FREE 14-DAY OPTIMIZE TRIAL:\nGet the PhilosophersNotes on these great books and over 600 others by starting a Free 14-Day Optimize trial membership: https://www.optimize.me/trial/\n\n► MORE GOODNESS:\n- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/\n- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/\n- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/\n- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/\n- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/\n- Learn More about Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach/"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":256,"11":4}" data-sheets-formula= "='Description/Post Creator'!R2C2& 'Description/Post Creator'!R3C2&'Top 3 Dashboard'!R[1]C[-6]&'Description/Post Creator'!R5C2&'Top 3 Dashboard'!R[1]C[1]&'Description/Post Creator'!R7C2&R[0]C[-12]&'Description/Post Creator'!R9C2&R[0]C[-11]&'Description/Post Creator'!R11C2&R[0]C[-8]&'Description/Post Creator'!R13C2&R[0]C[-7]&'Description/Post Creator'!R15C2&R[0]C[-4]&'Description/Post Creator'!R17C2&R[0]C[-3]&'Description/Post Creator'!R19C2&R[0]C[-12]&'Description/Post Creator'!R21C2&R[0]C[-10]&'Description/Post Creator'!R23C2&R[0]C[-8]&'Description/Post Creator'!R25C2&R[0]C[-6]&'Description/Post Creator'!R27C2&R[0]C[-4]&'Description/Post Creator'!R29C2&R[0]C[-2]&'Description/Post Creator'!R31C2&R[0]C[6]&'Description/Post Creator'!R33C2"> 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 my Top 3 SLEEPING Books of All Time: https://www.optimize.me/top3/sleeping #1: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Ph.D. → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/why-we-sleep-matthew-walker/ #2: The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-sleep-revolution-arianna-huffington/ #3: Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/sleep-smarter-shawn-stevenson/ Get Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Ph.D. on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144324 Get The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/The-Sleep-Revolution-Transforming-Night/dp/1101904003 Get Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Smarter-Proven-Better-Success/dp/0984574522?tag=entheos06-20 ► RELATED RESOURCES: #1: WHY WE SLEEP by Matthew Walker - +1: Think You Can Get By on Little Sleep? | Science Says: Think Again (Struck by Lightning Lately?) (#742) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/think-you-can-get-by-on-little-sleep/ - +1: To Read on an iPad at Night | Or To Read a Printed Book? ← That Is the Question (#740) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/to-read-on-an-ipad-at-night/ - +1: Sleep: Crazy Stats | To Make Your Heart Skip a Beat (#747) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sleep-crazy-stats/ - +1: Despair --> Hope | The Best Bridge? (#948) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/despair-hope/ - +1: Sleep Efficiency | Want 8 Hours? Be in Bed for 9! (#913) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sleep-efficiency/ - +1: Foundation vs. Pillars | Our #1 Fundie? Sleep! (#911) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/foundation-vs-pillars/ #2: THE SLEEP REVOLUTION by Arianna Huffington - +1: Sleeping with Tom Brady | And Roger Federer and LeBron James (#629) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sleeping-with-tom-brady/ - +1: Making Money BECAUSE You Sleep | Sleeping with Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett (#648) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/making-money-because-you-sleep/ - +1: Alarms: Work-Down vs. Wake-Up | One's (at Least!) 10x Better than the Other (#647) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/alarms-work-down-vs-wake-up/ #3: SLEEP SMARTER by Shawn Stevenson - +1: Digital Sunset | Bedtime for Your Electronics (#152) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/digital-sunset/ ► FREE 14-DAY OPTIMIZE TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNotes on these great books and over 600 others by starting a Free 14-

► FREE 14-DAY OPTIMIZE TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNotes on these great books and over 600 others by starting a Free 14-Day Optimize trial membership: 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/ - Learn More about Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach/

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 my Top 3 NUTRITION Books of All Time: https://www.optimize.me/top3/nutrition #1: Food Fix by Mark Hyman, M.D. → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/food-fix-mark-hyman/ #2: The Happiness Diet by Tyler Graham & Drew Ramsey, M.D. → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-happiness-diet-tyler-graham-drew-ramsey/ #3: It Starts With Food by Dallas Hartwig → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/it-starts-with-food-dallas-hartwig-melissa-hartwig/ Get Food Fix by Mark Hyman, M.D. on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Fix-Economy-Communities-Planet-One/dp/031645317X Get The Happiness Diet by Tyler Graham & Drew Ramsey, M.D. on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Diet-Nutritional-Prescription-Energized/dp/1609618971?tag=entheos06-20 Get It Starts With Food by Dallas Hartwig on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Starts-Food-Discover-Whole30-Unexpected/dp/1628600543?tag=entheos06-20 ► RELATED RESOURCES: #1: FOOD FIX by Dr. Mark Hyman - +1: Spray Painting Leaves | Wise Gardening for Mind Body and Soul (#1270) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/spray-painting-leaves/ - +1: Don't Drink Sugar | "The Single-Biggest Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Health" (#1247) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-drink-sugar/ - +1: Food Prescriptions | Are More Effective Than Prescriptions for Medicine (#1269) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/food-prescriptions/ #2: THE HAPPINESS DIET by Tyler Graham & Drew Ramsey, MD - +1: The Happiness Diet | vs. The SAD + MAD Diets (#763) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-happiness-diet/ - +1: Taking Out the Carbage | How to go from MAD to Flourishing (#1176) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/taking-out-the-carbage/ - +1: Turning Frowns Upside Down | One Bite at a Time (#764) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/turning-frowns-upside-down/ #3: IT STARTS WITH FOOD by Dallas Hartwig and Melissa Hartwig - +1: The Optimize Food Rules | The Big 3 (+1!) (#1285) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-optimize-food-rules/ ► FREE 14-DAY OPTIMIZE TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNotes on these great books and over 600 others by starting a Free 14-Day Optimize trial membership: 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/ - Learn More about Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach/

This is our third Note on (Mister) Fred Rogers' books. I read all three over the course of a week after falling in love with the man via the wonderful documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? This book, as per the sub-title, is all about "Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers." Like the other books we've featured, it's a super quick-reading and equally inspiring collection of brief wisdom gems from our beloved neighbor. I loved it. And, I've been enjoying channeling Mister Rogers' warmth and presence and wisdom in my role as a father to our two little E's: Emerson (6 as I type this) and Eleanor (2!). Big Ideas we explore include how to deal with disappointment (big and small!), growing (kids AND parents), the complexity of being a parent, setting limits and the power of saying, "I'm sorry."

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 World According to Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers. Hope you enjoy! Did you know that Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister who was given the unique charge of working with children and families through television? Yep. Since watching the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, I've fallen in love with the man and his "relentless commitment to all that is best in people." This is a quick-reading collection of some of Fred's best wisdom gems gathered from various sources and organized by different themes. Big Ideas we explore include: Your eulogy (in three words!), an enraged Mister Rogers (= fierce love in action), a barrelful of songs (your barrel overflowing?), swimming with Fred (143!!), and making goodness attractive (remember our #1 job: ENCOURAGE others!!). Get The World According to Mister Rogers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401301061 Learn more about Fred Rogers: https://www.optimize.me/authors/fred-rogers/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: YOUR EULOGY - +1: Eulogy Virtues | How to Chisel on Your Road to Character (#212) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/eulogy-virtues/ - Mastery Series Module O: Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimōn = Hērō → https://optimize.me/coach-module-o/ Big Idea 2: ENRAGED MR. ROGERS - +1: An Enraged Mister Rogers | Channeling His Fierce Love (#825) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/an-enraged-mister-rogers/ - Fred Rogers testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA Big Idea 3: BARRELS FULL - +1: A Barrelful of Songs | Is Your Barrel Overflowing with Goodness? (#828) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/a-barrelful-of-songs/ - +1: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You | Origin Stories Featuring Cal Newport + Steve Martin (#1282) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/be-so-good-they-cant-ignore-you/ - +1: 50 Pounds = A | How to Master the Fear of Art (#85) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/50-pounds-a/ Big Idea 4: 143 = I LOVE YOU - +1: Swimming with Mister Rogers | Then Stepping on the Scale to See… 143! (#830) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/swimming-with-mister-rogers/ - +1: Hērōs | Building Strength for 2 (#107) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/heros/ Big Idea 5: 10 SECONDS - Fred Rogers Accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upm9LnuCBUM - PN: Gratitude Works! by Robert A. Emmons → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/gratitude-works-robert-emmons/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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/

Here are my Top 3 ANCIENT WISDOM Books of All Time: #1: The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle #2: Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus #3: The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books in this video: https://youtu.be/eHMnL7MCMrs

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 You Are Special by Fred Rogers. Hope you enjoy! I got this book after watching the wonderful (!) documentary on Mister Rogers called Won't You Be My Neighbor? It's a collection of wisdom gems from various sources-a quick-reading portal into Mister Rogers' brain that has an amazingly calming, uplifting effect. (At least it did for me.) Simply reading his words seemed to elevate my consciousness and make me a kinder, more patient person. Big Ideas we explore include: Be the best at whatever you are, our #1 Job in life (hint: Encourage others!!), I Like You (just the way you are), being a living example, Mister Rogers' creativity (hello, torture!), perfect parents/kids? (nope!), and the gap (the essence of human creativity). Get You Are Special on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140235140 Learn more about Fred Rogers: https://www.optimize.me/authors/fred-rogers/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: BE THE BEST YOU - +1: Envy: The Ulcer of the Soul | Socrates Says (And Science Agrees) (#852) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/envy-the-ulcer-of-the-soul/ - +1: The Comparison Game | You Will Always Lose It (Here's Why) (#855) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-comparison-game/ - +1: Sweeping Streets with Martin Luther King | Like Shakespeare, Beethoven and Michelangelo (#492) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sweeping-streets-with-martin-luther-king/ Big Idea 2: OUR JOB IN LIFE - +1: Encourage | To Inspire with Hope, Courage and Confidence (#721) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/encourage/ - Admiral William McRaven → https://www.optimize.me/authors/admiral-william-h-mcraven/ Big Idea 3: "I LIKE YOU." - +1: I Like You | Just the Way You Are (#869) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/i-like-you/ - Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood in black and white → https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2r4wun Big Idea 4: TORTURES - Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Documentary) → https://www.focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor/ Big Idea 5: LIVING EXAMPLE - PN: Your Life is Your Message by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/your-life-is-your-message-eknath-easwaran/ - +1: Gandhi and Sugar | And You and… _______________ (#408) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/gandhi-and-sugar/ - +1: There Are No Perfect People | And… Newsflash: You Will Not Be the First (#146) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/there-are-no-perfect-people/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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 Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Hope you enjoy! Joseph Campbell was an American author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. If you've ever heard of the "Hero's Journey," you have him and his lifelong commitment to studying mythology to thank. This book (written in 1949) is the one that captures the essence of his thoughts on the "monomyth" that shows up across all cultures. One universal hero. A thousand faces. Big Ideas we explore include: a quick look at the hero's journey, moving past the veil of the unknown (aka romancing your discomfort zone) while creating micro hero journeys (all day every day), your ultimate boon (don't make King Midas's mistake), the mistake that the makers of legend made (growth mindset, guys!!), and a portrait of the modern hero (look in the mirror!). Get The Hero with a Thousand Faces on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Faces-Collected-Joseph-Campbell/dp/1577315936 Learn more about Joseph Campbell: https://www.optimize.me/authors/joseph-campbell/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: THE MONOMYTH - Finding Joe documentary → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8nFACrLxr0 - +1: Hērōs | Building Strength for 2 (#107) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/heros/ Big Idea 2: THE THRESHOLD - +1: Your Infinite Potential | And Where to Find It (#4) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-infinite-potential/ - David Goggins → https://www.optimize.me/authors/david-goggins/ - Marie Forleo → https://www.optimize.me/authors/marie-forleo/ - George Mumford → https://www.optimize.me/authors/george-mumford/ - PN: The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-rise-of-superman-steven-kotler/ - +1: Making the Impossible Possible | How to Make It What's for Breakfast in X Tomorrows (#587) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/making-the-impossible-possible/ - Optimize Coach: Program Overview → https://optimize.me/coach-program/ Big Idea 3: THE BOON - +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/ Big Idea 4: THE MAKERS OF LEGEND - +1: How to Build Your Grit | The 4 Key Scientific Variables (#19) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-build-your-grit/ - PN: Grit by Angela Duckworth → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/grit-angela-duckworth/ - +1: What Shakespeare, Beethoven & Picasso Have in Common | Want to Create Something Great? Create a Ton. (#86) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/what-shakespeare-beethoven-picasso-have-in-common/ Big Idea 5: THE HERO = YOU - +1: Optimize = Optimus | = The Best Version of You (#367) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/optimize-optimus/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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/

Here are my Top 3 HABITS Books of All Time: #1: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg #2: Atomic Habits by James Clear #3: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy LISTEN for More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books!

Here are my Top 3 BEST Books of All Time: #1: The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels #2: Deep Work by Cal Newport #3: Happy Together by Suzie and James Pawelski LISTEN for More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books!

One of my favorite parts about creating our Optimize Mastery Series is that it forced me to go to the next level of clarity on the most important aspects of our Optimize philosophy. This was true from Day 1 of the program and I found it to be especially powerful with our Eating Fundamental (which is day 200-something!) in which I integrated the wisdom from dozens of books and our Optimal Nutrition 101 and Optimal Metabolism 101 classes into what I called our Optimize Food Rules. Of course, join Optimize Coach and check out that session for the full download. Today we're going to take a quick look at our Big 3 (+1!) Optimize Food Rules. Here we go… Rule #1: Quit Drinking Your Sugar. This is inspired by a number of great teachers (including Robert Lustig in Fat Chance and John Ratey in Go Wild) but Mark Hyman brought the point home powerfully as his #1 rec in Food Fix. Note: If you're currently drinking sodas or fruit juices or any liquid with sugar, this is arguably THE fastest and easiest way to take your nutrition to the next level—and, as a by-product, take huge steps forward in Optimizing your metabolism ("Hi, insulin!") so you can move to your optimal weight. (Note: I just had a flashback of the Science Says data we collected. One of the highlights was how many Optimizers now feel they can easily follow their nutritional philosophy and maintain their Optimal weight.) (Check out the sketch on it below.) So… Are YOU drinking your sugar? If so, STOP!! (Hah. Seriously.) Note: Soda is obviously not a health food but… Parents: Fruit juice is NOT a health food either. Rule #2: Eat Real Food and Throw Out the Factory Food. In the Mastery Series session, we discuss the fact that we want to get rid of three different types of Factory Food including: Factory-made ultraprocessed carbage with ingredients you can't pronounce, don't have in your pantry and didn't evolve to consume; Factory-farmed animals for ethical, health and environmental reasons; and, Factory fat including vegetable oils like soybean, safflower, corn, and canola oils—none of which existed pre-Industrial revolution and all of which disrupt our Omega 3:6 ratios and create inflammation. (Note: Socrates was all about the olive oil—that's been around for over 5,000 years!) Quick check in: How are you doing there? Rule #3: Eating Sunsets (Aka: Give Yourself the Night Off!) Let your glymph get to work by restricting your eating to a window that gives you AT LEAST 13 hours between your last meal and first meal. We explore some fascinating research on cancer, etc. As you know if you've been following along, we have a last-input "digital sunset." I say we need a last-input "eating sunset"!! In fact, science says: We want to eat AT LEAST two hours before we go to bed and target FOUR hours before we go to bed if we're playing the Professional Optimizing game. (It's crazy for me to see the resting heart rate and heart rate variability data on my Oura ring show me the difference when I play in too short of an eating window!) So… When was your last meal last night? When was your first meal Today? How many hours were there in between? Let's get to 13+ and know that if you have a hard time going that long between meals, it's probably because we need to work on some metabolic flexibility issues. See Rules #1 and #2 for support there. And, finally, my favorite Rule… Rule +1: Eat Like Your Favorite Philosopher (who lived at least 300 years ago). Perhaps the simplest, wisest advice is to simply eat like your great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents ate before all the factories. I like to tweak that a bit to have fun helping you channel your favorite philosopher or spiritual teacher—whether that's Jesus or Mohammed or Moses or Buddha or Lao Tzu. For me? It's Epictetus. Guess what? Our favorite old-school Philosophers didn't (and couldn't) drink their sugar because it didn't exist. And all they could eat was non-factory produced food because factories didn't exist yet. And they couldn't eat all day every day because that wonderful invention we call the fridge didn't exist. There ya go. The Optimize Food Rules in a nutshell. Here's to changing our lives (and our families' lives) one bite at a time. TODAY.

Here are my Top 3 BEST Books of All Time: #1: The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels #2: Deep Work by Cal Newport #3: Happy Together by Suzie and James Pawelski LISTEN for More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books!

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 Fearless by Eric Blehm. Hope you enjoy! I got this book after my friend, retired Navy SEAL Captain Bob Schoultz, recommended it to me. It's ASTONISHINGLY good. As per the sub-title, this book is about "The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown." It's a humbling, inspiring story "of an American hero who bravely gave permission in his final written requests to share his journey, from small-town America to gutter to jail to Jesus to war to the top tier of the U.S. military: SEAL Team Six." Get Fearless on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Undaunted-Ultimate-Sacrifice-Operator/dp/0307730700 Learn more about Eric Blehm: https://www.optimize.me/authors/eric-blehm/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: THE BULLIES - Captain Bob's Book Notes → https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com/ - PNTV: Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/cant-hurt-me-david-goggins/ - PNTV: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/discipline-equals-freedom-jocko-willink/ - PNTV: Staring Down the Wolf by Mark Divine → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/staring-down-the-wolf-mark-divine/ - PN: Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/make-your-bed-admiral-william-mcraven/ - +1: Begin With the End in Mind | Habit #2 of Highly Effective People (#219) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/begin-with-the-end-in-mind/ Big Idea 2: THE PRODIGAL SON - PN: Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/discover-the-power-within-you-eric-butterworth/ - PN: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, OFM → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/falling-upward-richard-rohr-ofm/ - +1: We're Only the Light Bulbs | Our Job Is to Remain Screwed In! (#1090) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/were-only-the-light-bulbs/ Big Idea 3: THE TRIDENT - #1: TGIM!!! Let's goooo! Time to earn our Trident. TODAY! (#28) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX5zUZNvUD0 Big Idea 4: THE BEST - Optimize Mastery Series Module O: Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimon = Hero → https://www.optimize.me/mastery-modules/module-o-optimize-optimus-best-eudaimon-hero/ - +1: How to High Five God | And Plug Into Divine Power Today (#1279) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-high-five-god/ Big Idea 5: FALLEN HERO - +1: OMMS | The Hero's Mantra (#41) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/omms/ - +1: Hērōs | Building Strength for 2 (#107) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/heros/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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/

In our last +1, we drew some Venn circles with my Yoda and had fun high fiving God by giving ALL we've got. Today I want to chat about what we talked about at the VERY end of our time together on August 10th, 2020. After recapping the importance of showing up moment to moment to moment to keep my Soul Force powered by Divine Energy, Phil said—almost in a mantra-kinda way: "APPLY THIS!!!" "APPLY THIS!!!" "APPLY THIS!!!" It was one of those goosebumpy kinda moments. I wrote it down in huge letters on the third page of that day's notes and then said, "YES!!" Then I said, "It's funny because tomorrow morning I'm hitting the studio to film the very last session for our Mastery Series for our Coach program. It's Module VII but we also call it Module Infinity (as in: Repeat this forever!). It's called Optimus You: Practicing Your Philosophy. The whole point of that class? We need to APPLY THIS WISDOM to our lives TODAY!!" So, I told him, "I'm DEFINITELY going to share our chat as I make the point." Then, he said, "I love you son. I'm proud of you." To which I replied, "I love you father. I appreciate you." (As we've discussed, Phil is my spiritual Godfather. I'm his spiritual son. We end nearly every one of our chats with that. Enter: Pure joy.) As I reflected on his mantra, "APPLY THIS!!" I felt an even deeper commitment to making him proud and serving you and my family as profoundly as I can. That was 5:50 PM Central Time. I had 10 minutes to go before I transitioned to Deep Love time and gave Alexandra some time for herself while I enjoyed my PM session of 1-on-2 time with the kids. Now, I don't do non-essential technology inputs these days as I've -1 to +1-ed it for the +3 win (which is one of the reasons I'm crushing it). So, I hopped on our PEMF machine and plugged in the NanoVi thing to recover while meditating. At 6:00, I headed out of the office. The house was quiet. (Which, if you have kids, you know is VERY unusual. lol) Hmmm… The car wasn't there. Alexandra must have taken the kids out. So… I might have dashed back to the office, hopped back on the PEMF/re-plugged in the NanoVi and had a little dessert watching some more of Netflix's great documentary on Michael Jordan and his Bulls called The Last Dance. (Highly recommend it.) Now… At this point, I'm on Episode V. The Bulls have just won their first championship. They're going for their second. I wait for the show to load. It takes a second or three as I'm on satellite internet here in the country—which always gives me a moment to reflect on the fact that this whole thing we call the internet (and everything else in modern life) is an absolute miracle. Internal dialogue: "Thank you, God, for blessing me with the gift of so many awesome things." Then… It loads. I'm TEN SECONDS in. Phil Jackson, one of the greatest Coaches in history (who won 6 titles with the Bulls then another 5 with the Lakers), comes on. You know what he says? He says, and I quote: "You're only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again." Did he just say what I think he said? I hit the little rewind 10 seconds thing to watch it again. Yep. "You're only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again." I rewind it again and go get my pad of paper to write that down because I KNEW I'd be kicking off my final Mastery Series session with wisdom from two world-class Coaches named Phil. Note: Phil Jackson has his 11 championships. Phil Stutz and his clients (who tend to be Hollywood actors and writers and directors and executives) have WAY more than 11 Oscars. So, when two Coaches named Phil say the same thing back-to-back like that, I take it as a Divine wink from the Universe. And, well, that's Today's +1. One more time: "You're only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again." All the stuff we chat about that REALLY resonates? APPLY THIS!!! APPLY THIS!!! APPLY THIS!!! When? As always… TODAY.

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 Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink. Hope you enjoy! Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL. He was commander of Task Unit Bruiser―the most decorated Special Operations Unit of the Iraq War. I really enjoyed Jocko's first book Extreme Ownership and I knew this one would be good but... I didn't expect it to be THIS good. The words literally explode off the page. Not just because each micro-chapter was an incredibly inspiring micro-manifesto but because each word was written by a man so clearly living in complete integrity with his deepest values. John Maxwell would say his "moral authority" is extraordinary. I'd say his SOUL FORCE is palpable. If you're in the mood for a soul-rattling call-to-disciplined action, I think you'll enjoy the book as much as I did. Get Discipline Equals Freedom on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Equals-Freedom-Field-Manual/dp/1250156947 Learn more about Jocko Willink: https://www.optimize.me/authors/jocko-willink/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: HERCULES - PN: Gandhi the Man by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/gandhi-the-man-eknath-easwaran/ - PN: The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-bhagavad-gita-krishna-eknath-easwaran/ - PN: The Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-dhammapada-eknath-easwaran/ - +1: Demons vs. Daimons | What to Feed Them (#919) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/demons-vs-daimons/ - +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/ Big Idea 2: NATURE VS. NURTURE | NEITHER - Documentary on Michael Jordan: The Last Dance → https://www.netflix.com/title/80203144 - +1: How to Build Your Grit | The 4 Key Scientific Variables (#19) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-build-your-grit/ - Documentary on Usain Bolt: I Am Bolt → https://www.netflix.com/title/80135360 Big Idea 3: "GOOD." - +1: OMMS | The Hero's Mantra (#41) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/omms/ - +1: The Obstacle Is the Way | Plus: The Paradox of Fire (#61) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-obstacle-is-the-way/ - +1: It Is What It Is | The Power of Loving What Is (#409) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/it-is-what-it-is/ - +1: Neutral Thinking | vs. Positive and Negative Thinking (#1259) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/neutral-thinking/ Big Idea 4: SUGAR - PN: The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-case-against-sugar-gary-taubes/ - Willpower 101 → http://optimize.me/willpower Big Idea 5: DO - Phil Stutz → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-tools-barry-michels-phil-stutz/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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/

Quick creative update Today. Good times at Optimize!

#1: Today I kinda go off on a ton of stuff: From HRV/RHR ice-bath spikes to Soul Force and Deep Work and the Handbook. Hope you enjoy. Let's do this. Together. TODAY. As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://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 Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth. Hope you enjoy! Eric Butterworth was a prolific author and Unity minister—one of the great spiritual teachers of the 20th century. We featured another one of his books called Spiritual Economics. That one transformed my consciousness around money/ambition/etc. (I *highly* recommend it.) Butterworth was also Maya Angelou's spiritual teacher. And, Oprah says that this book is one of her all-time favorites. Big Ideas we explore: Where to find the Divine (hint: look within!), the great decision, the true meaning of "meek" (it's not what you think), going the second mile, and how to create a heaven (or hell) right NOW! Get Discover the Power Within You on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Power-Within-You-Unexplored/dp/0061723797 Learn more about Eric Butterworth: https://www.optimize.me/authors/eric-butterworth/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: WHERE'S THE DIVINE? - +1: Spiritual Economics | Your New Wealth Vocabulary (#349) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/spiritual-economics/ - +1: How to Live with Radiant Enthusiasm | Hint: Create a Nice Home for God (#556) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-live-with-radiant-enthusiasm/ - +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/ - +1: The Golden You | Just Chip Away at the (Not-so) Bonus Layer (#553) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-golden-you/ - +1: The Golden Buddha: Part II | The Historical Reality + The Parable (#603) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-golden-buddha-part-ii/ Big Idea 2: THE GREAT DECISION - +1: Eudaimonism vs. Hedonism | Don't Want to Be Depressed? Science Says… (#1166) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/eudaimonism-vs-hedonism/ - +1: Lightbulbs in the Temple of God | Less Graffiti, More Shining (#887) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/lightbulbs-in-the-temple-of-god/ - +1: My New Energy Identity | A Screwed-In Light Bulb (#1091) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/my-new-energy-identity/ Big Idea 3: PRAEIS = _______ - +1: Jesus Said: Who Shall Inherit the Earth? | Was It the "Meek" or the "Disciplined"/"Tamed"? (#438) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/jesus-said-who-shall-inherit-the-earth/ Big Idea 4: THE 2ND MILE - Going the Second Mile | Jesus Says: It's the Way to Roll (#431) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/going-the-second-mile/ Big Idea 5: HEAVEN + HELL - +1: Demons vs. Daimons | What to Feed Them (#919) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/demons-vs-daimons/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers 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/

Thanks for all your Handbook love! Here's the Optimize Handbook link I mention: https://optimizehq.typeform.com/to/sFx8AlU1 Quick edition as it's time for shutdown complete/meditation and Deep Love!! LOVE!!

In this Sunday edition, we talk about doubling my basic training protocol (it's the 200 burpees and 20k steps a day that provide the best challenge!) and some iterative creative progress on the book. As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

Weekend edition: Today we take a quick trip to the back of the property for a "Before" look at what (Deo Volente) will soon be an awesome outdoor office. Fun. :)

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 Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. Hope you enjoy! My wife Alexandra has been a huge fan of Marie's for a long time. I knew she was awesome. But... As I told Alexandra: "I had no idea Marie was THAT awesome!!!" My excuse: I've been in hermit-mode and have done nothing but read books for 5 years (no blogs/videos/etc.) so I wasn't able to get the full sense of Marie's heroically brilliant and grounded and HILARIOUS power until this book came out. I've read and created PhilosophersNotes on well over 500 books. This is one of my ABSOLUTE (!) favorites of all time. I HIGHLY (!!!) recommend it. It's in the same league as some of my other favorites like Deep Work Atomic Habits and The 5 Second Rule. (In fact, on my chalkboard right now, I actually have "EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE" right above "5-4-3-2-1-GO!" Get Everything Is Figureoutable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Figureoutable-Marie-Forleo/dp/0525534997 Learn more about Marie Forleo: https://www.optimize.me/authors/marie-forleo/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: "THANKS, MOM!" - PN: Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/everything-is-figureoutable-marie-forleo/ Big Idea 2: MAGIC OF BELIEF - PN: The Relaxation Revolution by Herbert Benson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-relaxation-revolution-herbert-benson/ - +1: Your Identity = ? | Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can't… (#654) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-identity/ - "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult." ~Seneca → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/seneca/19068-it-is-not-because-things-are-difficult-t/ - PN: Letters from a Stoic by Seneca → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/letters-from-a-stoic-seneca/ Big Idea 3: 42% (!!!) - Optimize Interview: Stillness is the Key with Ryan Holiday → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8GZMsKklPA - +1: Spiritual Windshield Wipers | Eudaimonia, Journaling, and the Science of Writing Down Our Goals (#993) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/spiritual-windshield-wipers/ - +1: Hedonic Eudaimonia | A Close Relative of Flow Junkies (#908) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/hedonic-eudaimonia/ - How to Journal Carpe Diem Style! → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMOrHcrGWU&t=4s Big Idea 4: 4-LETTER WORD - +1: Can't vs. Won't | Two Four-Letter Words (#986) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cant-vs-wont/ - +1: Fail Alchemized to FAIL | Fail = Faithful Attempts In Learning! (#988) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/fail-alchemized-to-fail/ - +1: The Growth Mindset | Jordan, Picasso and You (#622) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-growth-mindset/ - +1: Mistakes? They're Just Mis-takes | You As the Director of Your Life (#59) - PN: Mindset by Carol Dweck → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/mindset-carol-dweck/ - +1: Mistake-Learner's High | Enjoy It as You Pursue Audacious Goals and Endlessly Evolve (#370) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/mistake-learners-high/ Big Idea 5: GROWTH ZONE - +1: Your Infinite Potential | And Where to Find It (#4) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-infinite-potential/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Everything Is Figureoutable 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/

Today we have fun with my (re-)new(ed) identity: Philosopher + CEO and some Handbook +1s. As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

Today we take a sneak peek at v1 of the OPTIMIZE Handbook cover and look at some Oura data on a good bad night saved by an algorithm! As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

Today we chat about missing the ol' mark on the 3:00 last-input target. And simply recommitting. And... Finished Phase I of the Handbook construction process. Scaffolding is in place. Fired up. (Just noticed this is #50. Time flies when you're having fun!) As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

Did you know there are 101 days left in 2020. Yep. Time to finish strong. I share a little on how I'm going to do that with the Handbook, etc. How about YOU?

Afternoon edition of our #1 post 6 hours of DEEP Work on the Handbook. We chat about some creative systems and do the quick Oura review.

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 Healthy Deviant by Pilar Gerasimo. Hope you enjoy! I've been eagerly awaiting for my dear friend Pilar Gerasimo to write a book that captures her wisdom on how to Optimize our lives and give the world all we've got. And... The wait is over! Pilar is one of the wisest people I know. Among many other things, she created Experience Life magazine (which currently reaches over 3 million people per year) and is the co-host of the Living Experiment podcast with Dallas Hartwig (co-founder of Whole30). The lead quote for this book perfectly captures the thesis of the book. It's from Jiddu Krishnamurti. He tells us: "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Yep. That's about right. In a society in which the VAST majority of us are sick and tired and anxious and depressed and, well, blah... IT IS NO MEASURE OF HEALTH TO BE WELL ADJUSTED TO THAT SICK SOCIETY. (Right?) Enter: The Healthy Deviant. This "Rule Breaker's Guide" is packed with Big Ideas on how we can "Be Healthy in an Unhealthy World." Get The Healthy Deviant on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Deviant-Breakers-Guide-Unhealthy/dp/1623174252 Learn more about Pilar Gerasimo: https://www.optimize.me/authors/pilar-gerasimo/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: THE UDR - The Living Experiment Podcast Interview (49s) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWTNyW_bTQ - "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." ~Jiddu Krishnamurti → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/1335215-it-is-no-measure-of-health-to-be-well-adjusted/ Big Idea 2: HEALTHY DEVIANCE - "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." ~Mark Twain → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/mark-twain/20637-whenever-you-find-yourself-on-the-side-o/ - PN: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/self-reliance-ralph-waldo-emerson/ - +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/ - Conquering Cancer 101 + 102 → https://Optimize.me/cancer - PN: Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/eat-move-sleep-tom-rath/ - +1: The Invisible Gorilla | And the Spotlight of Your Attention (#859) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-invisible-gorilla/ Big Idea 3: RENEGADE RITUALS - +1: AM + PM Bookends | How to Create Masterpiece Days: Start Here! (#78) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/am-pm-bookends/ - +1: Micradian Rhythms | The Rhythms of Life: Circadian + Ultradian + Micradian (#283) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/micradian-rhythms/ - +1: Digital Sunset | Bedtime for Your Electronics (#152) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/digital-sunset/ - +1: Cortisol and Melatonin | Teeter Totter Buddies (#1173) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cortisol-and-melatonin/ - +1: PM Counts Twice | PM → AM + DAY + PM = #carpediem (#1007) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/pm-counts-twice/ - Energy 101 → https://www.optimize.me/master-class/energy-101/ Big Idea 4: DITCH YOUR DIET - +1: Don't Drink Sugar | "The Single-Biggest Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Health" (#1247) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-drink-sugar/ - Optimal Weight 101 → https://www.optimize.me/master-class/optimal-weight-101/ Big Idea 5: SOMETHING WRONG - +1: Make the Connection | What's Working? What Needs Work? (#374) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/make-the-connection/ - Learn more about Pilar and her work at https://TheHealthyDeviant.com/ - Learn more about The Living Experiment Podcast at https://livingexperiment.com/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Everything Is Figureoutable 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/

In our last +1, we got our inner Freak on as we spent some time with Dav!d Rendall and learned to embrace constraints as we reminded ourselves to approach this whole game of life as Optimalists rather than Perfectionists—using our ideals as GUIDING STARS not distant shores. We explored the value of constraints on a high level. I promised to talk about the idea in a little more detail in terms of choosing what we want to do with our lives AND in the day-to-day of actually making things happen. So… Dav!d kicks off the chapter on the power of limiting our options with a quote from Seth Godin who tells us: "You really can't try to do everything, especially if you intend to be the best in the world." Amen. And, as I read this chapter I thought of chats I had back in the day with Steve Chandler when he and I worked 1-on-1. He loved Alan Watts's wisdom that tennis is more fun with a court (constraints!) and Igor Stravinsky's wisdom that "The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees oneself. And the arbitrariness of the constraint serves only to obtain precision in the execution." As I searched the ol' database of 600+ Notes on my Mac to find that Stravinsky quote, I found this parallel wisdom from Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist. He tells us: "In this age of information abundance and overload, those who get ahead will be the folks who figure out what to leave out, so they can concentrate on what's really important to them. Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities. The idea that you can do anything is absolutely terrifying. The way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself. It seems contradictory, but when it comes to creative work, limitations mean freedom... The right constraints can lead to your very best work. My favorite example? Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat with only 236 different words, so his editor bet him he couldn't write a book with only 50 different words. Dr. Seuss came back and won the bet with Green Eggs and Ham, one of the bestselling children's books of all time." (btw: As I reread that, I thought of our Note on the brilliant biography Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel where we talk about those exact same constraints. Check it out!) As I chat about in our Notes on Steal Like an Artist, I LOVE constraints. They are my friend (when I remember them). Obvious constraints I use creatively include: Each PhilosophersNote is SIX pages long. Not 3 or 8 or 12 or... SIX. The +1s are short and sweet not crazy long. (Except for the rare +11. lol) The Optimal Living 101 classes and Mastery Series sessions? They're each 10 Ideas and around an hour. Not 3 or 7 or 14 or 22. TEN! (Hah.) Today's +1. Back to YOU. What limitations can you impose on yourself? How can you CONSTRAIN your options more so you can enjoy your life more? Remember the Paradox of Choice. And The Illusion of Choice. Simplify. Go all in. On being your best. TODAY.

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 Food Fix by Mark Hyman, MD. Hope you enjoy! Mark Hyman, MD, is head of strategy for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and board president for the Institute for Functional Medicine. He is also the bestselling author of a number of books, including Eat Fat, Get Thin. This is a very important and equally sobering book. As Mark says: "If we were to identify one big lever to pull to improve global health, create economic abundance, reduce social injustice and mental illness, restore environmental health, and reverse climate change, it would be transforming our entire food system. That is the most important work of our time—work that must begin now." In the Note we take a quick look at the dysfunction of the food system and how to fix it while talking about the #1 thing YOU can do TODAY to address it. We also chat about the fact that your food label may be lying to you, the ENORMOUS amount of money the junk food industry spends on junk science (think: $12 BILLION) and the social justice issues of food. Get Food Fix on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Fix-Economy-Communities-Planet-One/dp/031645317X Learn more about Mark Hyman, MD: https://www.optimize.me/authors/mark-hyman/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: THE BROKEN SYSTEM - Mark Hyman → https://www.optimize.me/authors/mark-hyman/ Big Idea 2: #1 FIX = RULE #1 - +1: Don't Drink Sugar | "The Single-Biggest Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Health" (#1247) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-drink-sugar/ - +1: Cancer Candy (Aka Sugar) | And All It's Secret Identities (#1177) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cancer-candy-aka-sugar/ +1: The Case Against Sugar | Is Very Strong (#685) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-case-against-sugar/ Big Idea 3: LYING LABELS - +1: Your Food Label | Is It Lying to You? (#1244) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-food-label/ Big Idea 4: JUNK SCIENCE - +1: Junk Food's Junk Science | Did You Know…? (#1245) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/junk-foods-junk-science/ - +1: Sugar Math | It Adds Up. Fast! (#1178) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sugar-math/ - Optimal Weight 101 | How to Optimize our Metabolism to Easily Sculpt our Ideal Bodies while Energizing to Actualize → https://www.optimize.me/weight/ Big Idea 5: FOOD Rx - +1: Cancer's Roots & Leaves | Modern Medicine: Strengths + Weaknesses → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cancers-roots-and-leaves/ - Tom Rath → https://www.optimize.me/authors/tom-rath/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Food Fix 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/

Today we tap into some insights after a good night of sleep, chat briefly about Surveillance Capitalism (and Digital Minimalism) before I share the first steps in my new book: OPTIMIZE - A Handbook for the Modern Hero.

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 Breath by James Nestor. Hope you enjoy! Breath. It's the missing pillar in health. We've been talking about this for years and we've included breathing among our fundamentals since I first read Patrick McKeown's The Oxygen Advantage. And, I just LOVE the way James captures the importance of breathing in this book. The first words on the inside flap of the book deliver the point with a sledgehammer: "No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or strong you are, none of it matters if you're not breathing properly." Big Ideas we explore include how to breathe optimally and why it's so important, the #1 tip, oral posture (how's yours?) and the perfect breath (think 5.5 + 5.5 for 5.5!). Get Breath on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615 Learn more about James Nestor: https://www.optimize.me/authors/james-nestor/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: MOUTH vs. NOSE - Breathing 101 → https://www.optimize.me/breathing - PN: The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-oxygen-advantage-patrick-mckeown/ Big Idea 2: CO2 - +1: Breathe Less | To Breathe Right (#1231) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/breathe-less/ Big Idea 3: #1 TIP - +1: The Rules of Breathing | The Big 3: Nose + Belly + Exhale (#485) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-rules-of-breathing/ Big Idea 4: ORAL POSTURE - +1: Oral Posture ← How's Yours? | High Fiving the Magic Spot in Our Mouths (#1229) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/oral-posture-hows-yours/ - +1: The Thread Thru Your Head | Pull It Up for Poise and Relaxed Power (#462) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-thread-thru-your-head/ - +1: The Magic Spot in Our Mouths | High Five It and Shine! (#1230) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-magic-spot-in-our-mouths/ Big Idea 5: PERFECT BREATH - +1: The Perfect Breath | 5.5 + 5.5 + 5.5 (#1228) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-perfect-breath/ - +1: The Greatest Predictor of Longevity | Genetics? Diet? Exercise? Nope… Try: Lung Capacity! (#1227) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-greatest-predictor-of-longevity/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Breath 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/

Today we have fun meeting the new Optimize (Hero) (Virtue) Compass and I share some interesting HRV and RHR data over last three days looking at effects of last meal, ice baths, etc.

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 Life's Great Question by Tom Rath. Hope you enjoy! I'm a big fan of Tom Rath and his work. And... I'm not alone. His 10 books have sold over 10 million copies. Dan Pink (author of Drive and When) calls him "One of the most successful nonfiction writers of his generation." We featured two of his earlier books: Eat Move Sleep and Are You Fully Charged? Plus: His children's book called The Rechargeables remains one of my all-time favorites. "Life's Great Question" that beckons all of us ("What can I contribute?") is beautifully framed by the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote that kicks off the book: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" This book is a field manual to help us go about answering that question so we can, as per the subtitle of the book: "Discover How You Contribute to the World." Big Ideas we explore include creating a sense of urgency in life, Purpose 2.0, connecting what we do to those we serve, undivided attention (our new secret weapon), and creating the energy to be our best. Get Life's Great Question on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Great-Question-Discover-Contribute/dp/1939714176 Learn more about Tom Rath: https://www.optimize.me/authors/tom-rath/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 2: PURPOSE 2.0 - +1: Purpose 2.0 | Time for a Purpose Upgrade? (#1094) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/purpose-2-0/ - +1: Life's Great Question | Can You Guess What It Is? (#1093) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/lifes-great-question/ - PNTV: The Courage Quotient → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-courage-quotient-robert-biswas-diener/ - +1: Love 2.0 (vs. Love 1.0) | Ready to Upgrade Today? (401) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/love-20-vs-love-10/ Big Idea 3: CONNECTING - +1: How to Meaningify Your Work | In One Simple Step… (#1095) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-meaningify-your-work/ Big Idea 4: UNDIVIDED - PN: Deep Work by Cal Newport → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/deep-work-cal-newport/ - +1: Deep Work | How to Escape Shallowville and Go Deep (#36) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/deep-work/ - PNTV: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/digital-minimalism-cal-newport/ Big Idea 5: ENERGY - PN: Are You Fully Charged? by Tom Rath → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/are-you-fully-charged-tom-rath/ - PNTV: The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb, PhD → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-upward-spiral-alex-korb/ - +1 Make the Connection | What's Working? What Needs Work? (#374) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/make-the-connection/ ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on Life's Great Question 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/

After a very brief retirement, I'm back. lol. Missed you. Let's goooo! As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101

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 Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth. Hope you enjoy! Ward Farnsworth is the Dean of the University of Texas School of Law. As you can imagine, he brings a logical precision to his discussion of Stoicism that is distinct and powerful. (Seriously. It's actually ASTONISHINGLY powerful.) I really enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it for the aspiring Practicing Stoic. Big Ideas we explore include Principle #1 of practical Stoicism (Judgment!), the good life vs. the good mood (virtue for the win!), what others think ( Get The Practicing Stoic on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Stoic-Philosophical-Users-Manual/dp/1567926118/ Learn more about Ward Farnsworth: https://www.optimize.me/authors/ward-farnsworth/ ► RELATED RESOURCES: Big Idea 1: PRINCIPLE #1 - Stoicism 101 → https://Optimize.me/stocisim - +1: The Space | Between Stimulus and Response (#452) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-space/ Big Idea 2: THE GOOD LIFE VS. THE GOOD MOOD - +1: The Good Life | vs. The Good Mood (#1126) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-good-life/ - +1: Don't Aim at Success | Dedicate Yourself to a Cause Bigger Than Yourself (#1040) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-aim-at-success/ Big Idea 3: WHAT OTHERS THINK - +1: Euthymia | How to Live with Energized Tranquility (#100) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/euthymia/ - PN: Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/self-reliance-ralph-waldo-emerson/ - +1: Trust Thyself | Every Heart Vibrates to that Iron String (#614) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/trust-thyself/ Big Idea 4: PREF'D INDIFFERENCE - +1: Arrows and Our Friend Apollo | A Handy Tool for Rocking It (#199) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/arrows-and-our-friend-apollo/ - Donald Robertson → https://www.optimize.me/authors/donald-robertson/ - PN: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Roberton → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/how-to-think-like-a-roman-emperor-donald-robertson/ Big Idea 5: ADVERSITY = FUEL - +1: Your Secret Weapon | Thank You, Epictetus and Hermes (#1129) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-secret-weapon/ - Behind-the-Scenes at Optimize Coach Graduation Weekend: OMMS → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUw5E1gRf0U ► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL: Get the PhilosophersNote on The Practicing Stoic 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/

In our last couple +1s, we've been chatting about Trevor Moawad's wisdom on what he calls "neutral thinking." We started by hanging out with Russell Wilson en route to winning a Super Bowl. Then we visited the Johnson Ranch to discuss my relationship with our new chickens and their poop. (Yes, I can't get enough of those emojis…) So… The morning after that chat I had with Emerson about how to approach the chicken situation either negatively, positively, or neutrally, we were doing our family workout—which currently features me chasing the kids on their bikes as we have fun going around the 1/2-mile Trail-loop we created around our property. Only… This morning, Emerson's bike had a flat tire. He immediately started crying—super bummed he wouldn't be able to ride his epic lime green (lol) bike around the Trail as planned. So… I cruised over and said, "Buddy! Your tire's flat. That's a bummer. I get it. And.. Remember that chat we had last night about neutral thinking?" Emerson: "Yah." Me: "Well…. Let's get neutral! WHAT DO YOU WANT?" He said, "To ride my bike." I said, "Exactly. So what can we do to make that happen?" He said, "Get the bike pump and fill up the tire." I said, "Exactly." We cruised into the barn, found it. Pumped up the tire. The air surprisingly held. Tire was filled. He was off to the Trail races. And, that's Today's +1. Got any metaphorical flat tires in your life? (Echo: Of course you do. You're human!) How are you reacting? Negatively? Positively? Neutrally? Back to Trevor: "That's neutral. Staying in the moment, giving each moment its own history, and reacting to events as they unfold. It takes away emotion and replaces it with behaviors. Instead of asking, 'How do I feel?' you should be asking yourself, 'What do I do?'" You can develop these skills if you're willing to let go of a few things. Negative, cynical thinking doesn't make you more realistic. It just makes you negative and cynical. Biased thinking doesn't help you either. You need to steer clear of your feelings and make an honest assessment of each situation you face. Don't worry about what you feel. Rely on what you know." Back to you. NEUTRAL thinking. It works. Try it. TODAY.

Today we hit the pause button on the ol' #1s as it's taking a little more Energy + Focus than I'm willing to give it vis-a-vis my truly What's Important Now targets. I think I'll be back with these near the end of the year to make sure we're wrapping up 2020 with antifragile ferocity and getting ready to make 2021 THE Greatest Year of our Lives. In the meantime, PNTVs every day thru end of year. And Top 3 kicking off October 1st. LET'S! DO!! THIS!!! As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

Admiral William H. McRaven is a Retired U.S. Navy SEAL who served for thirty-seven years and commanded at every level. As a Four-Star Admiral, his final assignment was as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces. (During this time, he oversaw the covert mission that killed Osama bin Laden.) In 2014, he gave the commencement address to the graduates of the University of Texas at Austin. Millions of people wound up watching his speech on ten lessons he learned from his Navy SEAL training. This book takes a deeper look at those ten lessons. It's a super-quick read—packed with simple, yet profound wisdom along with moving stories of moral exemplars. It's FANTASTIC.

In our last +1, we spent some more time with Trevor Moawad and explored some more wisdom from his great book, It Takes What It Takes. As you may recall, we chatted about neutral thinking. As Trevor says: "No matter where I work, the same truth keeps emerging. Neutral thinking is the key to unlocking a set of behaviors that can turn also-rans into champions and champions into legends." Today I want to bring that wisdom to life with a little personal example from the Johnson Ranch here outside Austin. So… As I was reading the book, I took a break and explained this idea to Emerson. Here's the example I used: Our chickens. And their poop. Quick context: As we've discussed, we just moved to the country. We got some chickens because we thought they'd be awesome. They are. The kids love them, etc. And... Those gals (and guy) sure know how to poop! And, they seem to especially love to do their work under our beautiful back patio where I often meditate in the morning as the sun's rising. Let's just say that the meditation scene is slightly less idyllic with the chicken poop wafting up. (Hah.) So… Back to the book. I told Emerson that the guy who wrote the book had a dad who was really into all this stuff and taught him a bunch when he was a kid. I smiled and rubbed his awesome little head as I imagined what HE might have to say in a few decades. Then we talked about the difference between negative thinking, positive thinking and neutral thinking. I gave him an example of my own negative thinking as it related to those chickens and their poop. (Note: That's always one of the best ways to deliver a message. Start with our own shortcomings—don't start with someone else's!) My negative thinking went something like this: "Those chickens!!! Their poop STINKS!! Why do they need to hang out under the porch and then poop where they hang out? I think we might want to find them a new home." (He might have heard me say something along those lines more than once in my less-enlightened moments, so the example was quickly understood. lol) Then I told him that the "positive" thinking would go something like this: "It's not so bad and the chickens are so great." He immediately knew that that simply wasn't honest and true and wouldn't be the optimal approach. Then I told him that neither of those approaches was as effective as NEUTRAL thinking. Neutral thinking would go something like this: "The chickens are pooping under the patio. It stinks. The kids love them and we need a better solution. So, let's limit their access to that location and figure out a poop control protocol. Next step: Order some chicken wire for the bottom of the patio and install it." Emerson got it immediately. And, he still has his chickens. Today's +1. Got any chicken poop in your life? If you feel so inspired, let's run it through a quick analysis. What's the negative thinking you might be running on it? How about the positive thinking? And what about the neutral thinking? All of which leads us back to Trevor's dad. You know what he taught him as a kid? To get rid of the "stinkin' thinkin'." Let's do that. TODAY. (And, please wish me luck with the chickens. lol)

Today we visit the barn-studio to hang out with 500+ of my favorite books as we check out the studio set up for the upcoming Top 3 Most Life-Changing Book series! :)