The Daily Stoic Steve Magness on Doing Hard Things and Why We Get Resilience Wrong | All Great Stories Have One Thing In Common
Steve Magness, a world-renowned expert on performance and coauthor of bestselling books, dives into the nuances of resilience. He challenges common perceptions, advocating for a deeper understanding of discomfort as a pathway to growth. Magness emphasizes the importance of supportive environments over authoritarian tactics in coaching. He shares insights on how endurance and personal control can foster resilience, linking personal growth to choices made in the face of challenges. His perspective redefines toughness and the long game in both sports and life.
01:16:02
Doing Hard Things
- Doing hard things involves embracing discomfort and seeking growth opportunities.
- It requires a balance of challenge and support, like a good friend.
Effective Coaching
- The stereotype of an effective coach as a bully is often appealing but counterproductive.
- Real growth comes from freedom and security, not fear.
Parenting and Discipline
- Create environments that encourage kids to test boundaries and communicate openly.
- Overly obedient children might be suppressing their emotions out of fear.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
The Power of Stories in Stoicism
04:26 • 8min
Embracing Discomfort for Growth
12:11 • 10min
Challenging Misconceptions of Resilience and Performance
22:24 • 4min
Nurturing Talent: A Balancing Act
26:43 • 11min
Navigating Pain, Injury, and Resilience in Life
37:48 • 6min
Embracing Resilience: The Toughness of Choices
43:34 • 11min
Building Resilience Through Physical and Mental Challenges
54:19 • 4min
Whistleblowing: The Burden of Truth
58:31 • 17min
The Power of Resilience and Seeking Support
01:15:51 • 4min
Do Hard Things
A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
Harris, Alex, Harris, Brett
In 'Do Hard Things,' Alex and Brett Harris combat the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility.
They weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life.
The book maps out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change, and is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life 'rebelutionaries' in action.
It challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Charlie Mackesy
This graphic novel tells the story of a boy who, on a spring day, meets three animal friends—a mole, a fox, and a horse—as he journeys through the countryside.
The story is a poignant exploration of universal lessons about life, including the importance of kindness, self-worth, and unconditional love.
The characters, each with their own struggles and strengths, learn valuable lessons about courage, forgiveness, and the power of asking for help.
The book is celebrated for its simple yet profound messages, beautiful illustrations, and its ability to resonate with readers of all ages.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
The Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum
Daisy Alberto
This Stepping Stone edition of 'The Wizard of Oz' is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic story, tailored for first chapter book readers.
The book includes art from the original 'Wizard of Oz' and follows the journey of Dorothy as she is carried by a cyclone from a Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz, where she meets the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion.
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.
The Girl Who Would Be Free
Ryan Holiday
The Passion Paradox
Brad Stulberg
Steve Magnus
Seneca
Seneca
Huckleberry Finn
Joanne Suter
This adaptation of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Joanne Suter retains the core elements of Mark Twain's original story while making it more approachable for students.
The book follows Huck Finn and the runaway slave Jim as they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River, confronting various challenges and social issues of pre-Civil War America.
The adaptation includes eight pages of end-of-book activities to enhance the reading experience and facilitate learning.
The Boy Who Would Be King
Ryan Holiday
Victor Juhasz
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
In this iconic children's book, Max, dressed in his wolf suit, causes chaos at home and is sent to bed without supper.
His bedroom transforms into a jungle, and he sails to an island where he encounters the Wild Things.
Max tames the creatures and becomes their king, but eventually returns home, missing his mother's love.
The book is praised for its honest treatment of children's emotions, particularly anger and the need for parental love.
It has been adapted into a movie and an opera and remains a beloved classic in children's literature.
Peak Performance
Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success
Brad Stulberg
Steve Magness
Peak Performance uncovers the common principles that drive success in different domains, from athletics to intellectual and artistic pursuits.
The book combines stories of top performers with scientific insights into cognitive and neurochemical factors that enhance performance.
It teaches readers how to optimize their performance by alternating between intense work and rest, priming the body and mind for productivity, and developing a self-transcending purpose.
The authors provide practical advice on managing stress, prioritizing rest and sleep, and setting meaningful goals to avoid burnout and achieve peak performance.
The 4-Hour Body
An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman
Tim Ferriss
In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing.
The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health.
Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.
The Odyssey
Homer
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges.
Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage.
With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne.
The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
Star Wars
Various Authors
The Star Wars books are part of an extensive media franchise created by George Lucas.
They span multiple fictional eras, featuring characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, among others.
The stories often involve galactic conflicts, the struggle between the Jedi and the Sith, and the adventures of various characters in a galaxy far, far away.
The books can include novels, technical journals, and other types of literature that expand on the Star Wars universe.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mark Manson
In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning.
He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths.
The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.
That One Should Disdain Hardships
Gretchen Reydams-Schils
Musonius Rufus
Cora E. Lutz
This book compiles the teachings of Musonius Rufus, a prominent Roman Stoic philosopher.
His speeches offer practical advice on living a virtuous life, emphasizing self-control, resilience, and the importance of inner peace.
Rufus's teachings provide a valuable perspective on Stoic philosophy, highlighting its relevance to everyday life.
The book is a testament to the enduring power of Stoicism and its ability to guide individuals toward a more fulfilling existence.
It offers a unique insight into the development of Stoic thought.
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg.
Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs.
nature, and the existential questions of good and evil.
The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.
Ryan reads today’s daily meditation and talks to Steve Magness about his new book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness, how to lead people effectively, embracing the long game instead of quitting, and more.
Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance, coauthor of Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox. Collectively his books have sold more than a quarter-million copies in print, ebook, and audio formats. His writing has appeared in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Men's Health, and a variety of other outlets. Steve's expertise on elite sport and performance has been featured in The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ESPN The Magazine.
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