You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning NY Times journalist (and Harvard MBA) who wrote the best-selling book The Power of Habit in which he walked us through the science of building better habits. In this book, he walks us through the science of being productive so we can be smarter, faster and better at everything we do. It's a great book packed with fascinating stories and practical applications. Big Ideas we explore include the 2 keys to motivation, how to build your focus, the best way to set goals (think: Stretch + SMART), why disfluency helps learning and how productivity is all about choices.

Seneca was an old-school Roman statesman and one of history's leading Stoic philosophers. In this book he tells us that life is only short if you don't know how to use it and also gives us some tips on how to deal with challenging times and cultivate tranquility. Big Ideas we explore include making T.O.D.A.Y. the day, how to deal with being exiled (never know when it could happen ;), and why flexibility is the virtuous road to tranquility (and how to avoid the detours).

"As a predictor of later success in life, I would place my bet on strong entrepreneurial capacitites" says William Damon, one of the world's leading development psychologists. Here's a quick look at those 7 qualities.

Russell Simmons is often called the godfather of hip-hop. He's a fascinating guy and entrepreneur. This book is a quick, straight-to-the-point guide to meditation written in a style that makes you feel like you're having a chat with Russell. Super simple, fun, practical. Big Ideas we explore include: how to deal with the #1 excuse for not meditating, and the #2 excuses + how meditation benefits your focus + creativity and how make your amygdala quit acting like an annoying car alarm.

Sleep. It's the secret sauce to optimal living. In this class, explore my Top 10 favorite Big Ideas on how to create consistent, great night's of sleep to optimize your energy, mood and mojo. We'll start with why, unpack the kryptonites that get in the way, set some curfews and get you sleeping like a champ.

Amy Cuddy is awesome. Her TED talk is the 2nd most popular ever. This book is just as good. Learn the science of cultivating your personal power to bring your boldest self to your biggest challenges. Big Ideas we explore: self-affirmation theory, priming + nudges, the magic of expanding your body to increase your power, iHunch (how's yours?), and the boldest you.

This book is a scientific look at Purpose by one of the world's leading developmental psychologists—a powerful look at how to cultivate purpose in our children (and, for that matter, ourselves) and why it's so important. Big Ideas we explore include a definition of what it means to be purposeful (and a look at the alternatives), the #1 thing that gets in the way of discovering and creating purpose, 9 key things parents can do to help their kids with purpose, why entrepreneurial spirit is so important and a four-word mantra to reduce timidity and build courage and confidence.

Veritas. That's the Latin word for truth. The Romans considered it the mother of all virtues. Are you shining the light of truth on your life?

William Damon and Anne Colby are two of the world's leading researchers in the field of moral psychology. They're both Professors at Stanford and have been married for 30+ years. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book that challenges the "new science of morality"'s view that morality is essentially biologically and socially determined. Damon and Colby argue that we all have the power to cultivate our more noble, moral possibilities. Big Ideas we explore include a quick look at our moral exemplars, moral agency, and the three virtues we want to cultivate: Truth + Humility + Faith.

Meet the enemy: Your ego. Our guide, Ryan Holiday, wrote one of my favorite books of 2015: The Obstacle Is the Way. Ego Is the Enemy is now one of my favorite books of 2016. It's fantastic. Big Ideas we explore include: defining ego, becoming more than a flash in the pan, finally answering the question of whether it takes 10,000 or 20,000 hours to attain mastery, the virtue and value of staying true to your own path and making it rather than faking it.

Mistakes are part of life/performing. It's what we do when they happen that matters. Remember the 3 P's: Present + Positive + Process.

Black holes. Just contemplating the sheer, fierce power of them is awe-inspiring, eh? Isaiah Hankel tells us that although physicists used to think that everything got destroyed in a black hole, now they believe that it's less about destruction and more about *transformation.* And shines some light on the power of focusing on our purpose with black hole intensity. Big Ideas we explore include sheep vs. strategists, figuring out your ikigai (= why you get up in the morning), the fascinating endurance of rats with hope, the first two steps in greatness and moving from vision to decision.

Dennis Mannion is the CEO of the Detroit Pistons. He's one of the few (if not the only) people to be a top executive in the top 4 sports leagues in the US (MLB + NFL + NHL + NBA). He's also an incredibly cool and inspiring human being. In this chat, we explore everything from how he discovered his purpose to some of the biggest lessons in leadership and peak performance he's picked up in the last 35+ years at the top of the sports world. Super inspiring. I'm especially fired up by his emphasis on the spiritual and embodiment of the Ideas he's so passionate about. (Plus, I need to step up my rowing game. :) Hope you enjoy!

Jim Afremow is one of the world's leading sports psychologists. We covered his first book The Champion's Mind. This one is kinda like part 2 in which we look at how the Champion responds to the inevitable (!) setbacks faced on the road to greatness—using those setbacks as opportunities to bounce back and make a sweet comeback. Big Ideas we explore include seeing setbacks as challenges rather than threats, outperforming our contracts, practicing 'till you can't get it wrong, and the 3 P's of peak performance.

Want Jedi-like concentration powers?! (Me, too.) John Hargrave tells us there are two keys: We need to 1. Reclaim and 2. Retrain our attention.

Sir John Hargrave is a funny guy and this book is awesome. If you're a bit of a geek (or if you're married to one!) looking for a fun, grounded, super practical take on how to get your mind right so you can do what you're here to do, I think you'll love this book. Big Ideas we explore include: how to develop Jedi-like concentration, how to debug your mind, creating a vision of the best version of your life 10 years from now (and why it matters), how to make your life a masterpiece.

The Drift. It's what happens when we don't have a clear plan for our lives. Are you drifting? Acknowledge it then create a plan!

Living Forward is a powerful little book all about helping us figure out our Life Plan--which is, essentially, the vision for every aspect of our lives and our plan to make it a reality. The book is the result of a collaboration between leading publisher and author Michael Hyatt and his coach Daniel Harkavy. It's basically like having one of the world's leading life coaches walk you through the Life Planning process he's used with thousands of his clients. Big Ideas we explore include The Drift, your life GPS, pull power, soul oxygen and the Law of Diminishing Intent.

Over the last 20 years, I've spent half my time in Founder/CEO-mode and the other half in Philosopher-mode. Before going all in as a Philosopher, I built and sold two market-leading social platforms (raising $10m in the process). In this class, I share my Top 10 Ideas on how to create a great business and get paid to change the world. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, solopreneur, small business owner or leader in any organization, we hope you love it.

William Damon is one of the world's leading scientists studying human development and the psychology of morality. In this book, he gives us a guide to discovering and creating our noble purpose. Big Ideas we explore include making a distinction between noble and heroic, the ultimate purpose formula, 9 tips on how to cultivate your noble purpose, the one phrase your advisor should whisper in your ears when you've achieved ultimate success, and how to create true, sustainable happiness.

Stephen Covey passed away in 2012. This book was published posthumously and features a collection of wisdom focusing on the fact that private victory precedes public victory. Primary greatness. It's all about what's on the INSIDE. Covey tells us there are 12 levers of success—each with its own chapter in this great book. Big Ideas we explore include: Esse Quam Videri ("to BE rather than to seem"), Virtues: meet your parents, say "YES!," your high-tech power saw and living in crescendo.

Did you know that consuming news for just 3 minutes early in the day can lead to a lower mood up to 8 hours later? Yep. Here's how to deal with that.

Imagine being at the height of power. Crowds adore you. You are a total 100% rock star of awesome. And, wisely, you appointed an advisor to whisper in your ear: "Sic transit gloria"... "All glory is fleeting." Humility is a very powerful tool in crafting a noble life.

Shawn Stevenson is a health coach who has one of the most popular health & fitness podcasts out there called The Model Health Show. This is a short, quick-reading, funny and practical little book featuring 21 tips on how to optimize your sleep. Big Ideas we cover: #1 tip: value your sleep (it's the secret sauce), avoid the blue lights, adenosine (did you know how caffeine really works?), staying cool, getting your vitamin G and creating PM rituals.

Virtues: Meet your parents!!! Here's your mom, Humility. And your dad, Courage.

In this book, Michelle Gielan takes her background in broadcast journalism (as a CBS News anchor) and combines it with her background in positive psychology to show us how we are ALL broadcasters. Big Ideas we explore include the 3 key factors that account for 75% of success (!), power leads and how to use them, rational optimism vs. irrational optimism, fact-checking your story to find fueling facts that catalyze rather than paralyze and how/when to H.A.L.T.!

Sian Beilock is one of the world's leading researchers studying the science of optimal performance. In this book, she walks us through a range of research studies she and her colleagues have conducted to help us get a better understanding of why, under pressure and when it matters most, some of us choke. And, of course, Sian provides a range of tips on what we can do about it. Big Ideas we explore: the what and why of choking, the ultimate choke vacuum, practicing under pressure, an antidote to exam choking, and a bunch of little tips on rockin' it.

The Greeks had a word for staying true to your own path. Euthymia. When we do that we experience tranquility. (Let's do that.)

Jocko Willink and Leif Babin were two of the most senior (and decorated) SEALS on the ground in the most intense battles of Iraq. In this book they share their leadership lessons on how U.S. Navy SEALs lead and win. It's an intense, impactful read. Big Ideas we explore include a definition of Extreme Ownership, the fact that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders, how to prioritize and execute and remembering that discipline = freedom.

Most us spend all our time polishing our résumé virtues. We'd be wise to focus more energy on cultivating our eulogy virtues. (What are yours?)

In this class we'll look at your #1 creative project, doing your life's work, turning pro and the three laws of mastery. Plus how to get your mind right and deal with troll poop. Let's master the process of consistently creating cool stuff and giving our gifts to the world!

In today's world, the road to character has a much less defined map than the road to external success. In this thoughtful, penetrating book, New York Times op-ed columnist and author David Brooks walks us through the evolution of our culture away from a character ethic toward a society all about what he calls the "Big Me." And, of course, he shows us the way back to character. Big Ideas we explore include résumé virtues vs. eulogy virtues, answering the summons, conquering yourself, living for holiness and becoming strongest at your weakest point.

Gritty passion is more like a compass than fireworks. How's yours?

Michelle Gielan and Shawn Achor have worked with 1/3 of the Fortune 100 companies. They have discovered 3 core attributes that lead to 75% of success. Here they are.

In this book, Michelle Gielan takes her background in broadcast journalism (as a CBS News anchor) and combines it with her background in positive psychology to show us how we are ALL broadcasters. Big Ideas we explore include the 3 key factors that account for 75% of success (!), power leads and how to use them, rational optimism vs. irrational optimism, fact-checking your story to find fueling facts that catalyze rather than paralyze and how/when to H.A.L.T.!

Want to create Miracle Months? Well, here's how I'm approaching it. Hope you enjoy!

Angela Duckworth is the world's leading authority on the science of grit. In fact, she pioneered the field and, as Daniel Gilbert says on the cover: "Psychologists have spent decades searching for the secret of success, but Duckworth is the one who found it." In this Note, we explore the two facets of grit (hint: passion + perseverance, why they're important and how to cultivate them.

In this special class, my wife Alexandra joins us to share her Top 10 Big Ideas on how to celebrate the most creative time of your life. Discover how to mother from your essence, be a self-care queen, ignite your desire power and see your mothering as holy work + invisible art as you bring more fun and play and mindfulness into your heroine's journey.

Confidence. It's very different than Arrogance and Insecurity. Here's how.

Angela Duckworth's new book on Grit is *phenomenal.* Note, etc. soon. I'm prepping for Fatherhood 101 so this Idea really jumped out at me and I figured I'd capture a quick Micro Class on it. Hope you enjoy!

As the sub-title suggests, this book is all about "A proven path to discovering what you were meant to do." If you're looking for an inspiring introduction to clarifying and living your purpose, I think you'll enjoy this book. Big Ideas we explore include a quick peek at the 7 characteristics of a Calling, why Awareness is so important, why Painful Practice is also super important, why we should be thinking "bridges" not "leaps" as we pursue our calling ad other goodness.

Want to win the career lottery? Here's your winning ticket: Joy +Money + Flow.

The 3 Laws of Mastery = 1. It's a mindset. 2. It's a pain. 3. It's an asymptote.

What were you born to do? As you might have guessed, that's what this book is all about. Our guide, Chris Guillebeau, gives us a bunch of helpful tips and strategies to help us find the work we were meant to do. Big Ideas we explore include how win the career lottery (hint: think JOT-MONEY-FLOW), playing the elimination game, remembering that if Plan A fails you still have 25 other letters, Warren Buffett on goals, and getting good at quitting.

Peter Drucker didn't believe in "creativity." It was all about PRODUCTIVITY for him. Here's how/why he said no to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's invite to participate in his study.

What will your legacy be? Tune in to your eulogy + Job with a capital J.

Dan Pink is an incredibly engaging writer and this book is fantastic. In this book, he tackles human motivation and, as the sub-title suggests, tells us “The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” Here’s his Twitter summary: “Carrots & sticks are so last century. Drive says for 21st century work, we need to upgrade to autonomy, mastery & purpose.” Big Ideas we explore include understanding Motivation 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 along w/how to upgrade our operating system, why Autonomy is so important, The Three Laws of Mastery and discovering our Purpose via a big question and a small one.

Abraham Maslow tells us that what one ​can​ be, one must​ be. Actualizing our potential is like oxygen for the soul. Helping you discover your purpose and fulfill your destiny is what this class is all about.

New Zealand’s national rugby team The All Blacks are arguably THE greatest team ever. In this book, James Kerr unpacks what makes them so great and how we can lead + create a Legacy. Big Ideas we explore include the fact that Better People Make Better All Blacks, Kiwi Kaizen, embracing expectations and leaning into the power of Loss Aversion (remember: no pressure, no diamonds), hitting the psychological gym and answering a couple questions that will help clarify YOUR legacy.

Homeostasis is a system's tendency to do what it needs to do to maintain stability. Here's how to use that to our advantage to reach our potential. (This is also a quick look at the science of why we need to exit our comfort zone if we want to improve!)