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How to Find your Calling | Robert Greene & Ryan Holiday

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Oct 5, 2024

Robert Greene, bestselling author of "The 48 Laws of Power," and Ryan Holiday, known for "Ego Is the Enemy," dive into what it means to find your calling. They dissect the roots of creativity and how personal struggles often lead to growth. The conversation shifts to redefining success in a post-pandemic world, emphasizing fulfillment over superficial achievements. They also explore the relationship between mental health and creativity, stressing the unique perspectives that cultural outsiders provide. Their insights are both profound and inspiring.

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ANECDOTE

48 Laws of Power origin

Robert Greene's book idea for "The 48 Laws of Power" came to him during a walk in Venice, Italy in 1995.
This was a pivotal moment in his life, as he was 36 and feeling unsuccessful at the time.

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INSIGHT

The Creative Process

The creative process can feel otherworldly, with ideas seemingly appearing from an unknown source.
Stepping away from intense focus can allow unconscious connections to surface as conscious insights.

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ANECDOTE

Collaboration with 50 Cent

Robert Greene's "48 Laws of Power" became popular in the hip-hop community, leading to a collaboration with 50 Cent.
They met, discussed strategy, and eventually co-authored "The 50th Law."

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Unveiling Creativity in the Journey

01:43 • 10min

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Redefining Success Post-Pandemic

12:01 • 11min

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The Complex Dance of Creativity and Marginality

23:14 • 2min

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Navigating Personal Growth and Commitment in a Fragmented World

25:30 • 3min

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The Disconnect Between Academia and Everyday Life

This book by Robert Greene provides a daily dose of wisdom, drawing from his previous works and including new material. Each day features a concise lesson and a 'Daily Law' that serves as a prescription for navigating life's challenges. The book is organized monthly around themes such as power, seduction, persuasion, strategy, human nature, toxic people, self-control, mastery, psychology, leadership, adversity, and creativity. Greene emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's early passions and maintaining a realistic and disciplined attitude towards life and work.

Mastery

Robert Greene

In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process. The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking. Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points. He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics. The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

Courage Is Calling

Ryan Holiday

In 'Courage Is Calling', Ryan Holiday explores the virtue of courage through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The book breaks down the elements of fear, cowardice, bravery, and heroism, and shows how to conquer fear and practice courage in daily life. Holiday also shares personal anecdotes, including his own experiences with courage and cowardice, to emphasize the importance of choosing to act courageously despite the presence of fear.

The 48 laws of power

Robert Greene

In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws. These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum. The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation. Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.

The Laws of Human Nature

Robert Greene

In 'The Laws of Human Nature,' Robert Greene delves into the complexities of human behavior, identifying 18 laws that govern our actions and motivations. Drawing from historical figures such as Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, and Martin Luther King Jr., Greene provides insights into how to detach from emotions, master self-control, develop empathy, and see beyond people's masks. The book is designed to help readers become better judges of character, manage their thought patterns, and influence others more effectively. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own flaws to make better decisions in personal and professional life.

Bullshit Jobs

A Theory

David Graeber

In 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory', David Graeber argues that a significant portion of jobs in modern society are meaningless and contribute little to no value. He categorizes these jobs into five types: flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters. Graeber contends that these jobs are not only inefficient but also psychologically destructive, leading to chronic misery and social divisions. The book is based on his 2013 essay 'On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs' and includes testimonials from workers who feel their jobs are pointless. Graeber suggests solutions such as unions and universal basic income to address the issue of meaningless work.

Trust Me, I'm Lying

Confessions of a Media Manipulator

Ryan Holiday

In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets. The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business. Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation. He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.

The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday: How to Find your Calling

A modern Machiavelli, Robert Greene is the bestselling author of the 48 Laws of Power, The Laws of Human Nature and now, The Daily Laws. Ryan Holiday is the bestselling author of Trust Me I’m Lying, The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy and now Courage is Calling. Robert and Ryan have a long relationship but have never been interviewed together. It was an hour to get them in the same room on this weeks episode of American Alchemy, where we discuss: the roots of creativity, finding your calling and the silver linings of the Covid 19 pandemic.

*** AMERICAN ALCHEMY is an original series hosted by Jesse Michels that explores the frontier of science and tech. Each week, we bring you exclusive interviews with some of the leading thinkers of our time.

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- Robert greene ryan holiday 48 laws of power ego is the enemy stoicism

Robert Green and Ryan Holiday: How to Find your Calling

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