Aristotle tells us: To flourish as human beings, we need targets. We need goals.
This week we’re reviewing some of the key lessons from Brian Johnson’s Optimize Coach course. Today’s lesson? Happy people have projects. That’s step one.
In choosing goals, we want to aim for something just beyond our comfort zone. If it’s too easy, that’s boring. If it’s way too challenging, we lose interest. It’s the “Goldilocks” lesson: … continue reading
Brian Johnson has read and distilled the key learnings from over 500 books as part of his Philosopher’s Notes.
His rule #1?
Expect obstacles and challenges.
It’s a new year. One thing we know for sure? There will be challenges.
Rather than be surprised when obstacles present themselves (and they always do!), Brian encourages us to embrace the challenges we face as opportunities to hone our skills.
Because dealing … continue reading
Our goal?
To create “masterpiece days.”
This week we’ve looked at the importance of our morning and evening routines, what philosopher Brian Johnson calls our AM and PM bookends. I’m currently enrolled in Brian’s year-long Optimize Mastery program which has been an incredible learning opportunity.
One of the key elements of Brian’s AM bookend is meditation. We aim to practice “paying attention to our attention.” We begin by focusing on … continue reading
This week we are exploring what it means to be heroic.
This is the key learning from Brian Johnson’s year-long Optimize Mastery class. Brian tells us our highest goal as human beings is to flourish.
How do we do that?
By living virtuously. By expressing the best version of ourselves moment by moment.
Specifically, Brian recommends we focus on three areas of our lives: love, work, and energy.
According to … continue reading
What is the one question to ask to help us to turn things around?
According to Brian Johnson, this question is our secret weapon. He calls it the hero’s wand because it has the power to transform bad situations into something good.
What do I want?
Asking this question moves us from victim to creator. We ask: If I could wave a wand at this challenge, what would I … continue reading
When we feel our worst…
When things are not going our way…
When life seems too much…
Instead of giving in…,
We get more committed.
That’s called heroic stamina, Brian Johnson tell us.
The worse we feel, the more committed we are to flourishing, to expressing the best version of ourselves.
Brian calls this lesson the most important part of the work to be done in his year-long Optimize Mastery … continue reading
On the side of a bus is a big advertisement emblazoned with the word “Freedom!”
It’s an ad for a local casino.
Society is selling us the wrong form of happiness, Brian Johnson remarks in his year-long Optimize Mastery course.
Brian quotes the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
The science shows us too many of these quick pleasures … continue reading
Yesterday, we explored the idea of human flourishing by living with virtue. Today we are going to take a deeper look into the concept of virtues.
In Brian Johnson’s year-long course Optimize Mastery course, he challenges us to consider universal virtues and to discover our unique virtues.
One tool to help us discover our unique virtues or character strengths is to take a short survey on the viacharacter.org website.
Brian … continue reading
So far this week we’ve covered getting up an hour earlier to experience a “Miracle Morning.”
Terrific. That’s step #1.
But – will we be energized and ready to go?
Today started lasted night, says Brian Johnson, creator of the Optimize Mastery program, year-long learning program I’m currently participating in (and loving!).
In other words, the choices we make tonight will determine our level of energy and … continue reading
It’s the end of week one of #LeadWithDrew. Each week my plan is to do a deep dive into a different topic and this week we’ve been looking at some of the key take-aways from Brian Johnson’s Optimize Mastery series. Brian aims to take the very best of ancient wisdom and practical science to teach us how to flourish, to live life according to our virtues.
Brian tells us step … continue reading
