Rich Litvin, bestselling author of The Prosperous Coach and a transformational leadership coach, dives into self-awareness and redefining success. He shares the importance of asking, "What do you want?" and the challenges high achievers face with work addiction. Rich discusses using discomfort as a catalyst for growth, the value of effective communication, and strategies to combat smartphone distractions. He emphasizes nurturing the spirit and balancing career success with personal fulfillment through intentional living and daily rituals.
Self-awareness is enriched through interpersonal relationships and community involvement, providing insights into personal values and motivations.
True leadership is shaped by formative life experiences and challenges, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's past and mistakes.
Embracing adventure and discomfort not only creates lasting memories but also leads to a more fulfilling life filled with rich experiences.
Deep dives
Self-Awareness Through Community and Coaching
Self-awareness is significantly enhanced by the people we surround ourselves with, including coaches and community members. Negative feelings towards someone in a community can reveal aspects we dislike about ourselves, while admiration for others reflects what we love. This connection between self-perception and interpersonal dynamics illustrates the dual role coaching and community play in fostering personal growth. Ultimately, by engaging in these relationships, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of their values and motivations.
Lessons in Leadership from Early Experiences
Leadership lessons often stem from early, formative experiences rather than traditional teachings. A story shared from childhood emphasizes that true leadership is learned through mistakes and personal growth along the journey. The realization that success cannot be fully encapsulated by a formula illustrates the necessity of introspection and learning from one's past. This understanding underscores that mining one’s history is crucial for authentic personal development and leadership effectiveness.
Embracing Adventure for Meaningful Living
The value of adventure and stepping outside one's comfort zone is highlighted through personal anecdotes about significant life changes. Moving back to England after years in California symbolizes a commitment to seeking enriching experiences, despite the complexities involved. Recognizing that memorable moments often arise from discomfort reinforces the importance of living life to the fullest. By embracing adventure, individuals can create lasting memories and a more fulfilling life trajectory.
Identifying and Clarifying True Desires
Learning to articulate what one truly wants can be a challenging yet enlightening journey. A practical exercise involves writing down 100 desires, which helps individuals confront their expectations and aspirations. This process emphasizes the need for self-reflection, as many desires are influenced by external pressures rather than intrinsic motivations. Through such exploration, individuals may uncover deeper and more authentic ambitions, fostering greater alignment with their true selves.
Fostering Balance through Energy Management
Establishing balance in life often requires not just managing time but also auditing energy levels and overall well-being. Conducting an energy audit by listing activities that drain or invigorate one’s energy can provide valuable insights for personal change. The practice emphasizes the potential for increased vitality by removing energy-draining elements from life. By focusing on what enhances energy, individuals can create a more conducive environment for personal growth and fulfillment.
In this episode of The Double Win Show, Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller chat with Rich Litvin, bestselling author of The Prosperous Coach and sought-after leadership coach. Rich unpacks how leaders can embrace self-awareness, tackle work addiction, and redefine success by asking one simple but life-changing question: “What do you want?”
Memorable Quotes
“Most of success is actually about mining your past.”
“No one really remembers a comfortable life.”
“My favorite coaching question is the simplest one. It’s: What do you want? Especially if you’re really good at helping other people, it’s actually really hard to answer for yourself.”
“The most underrated skill in leadership is self-awareness.”
“The power of great coaching is that you can see things that others can’t see. And you’re bold enough to say what others won’t dare to say.”
“I don’t need to be better at what they do than they are. They’re the best in the planet at what they do. I’m the one who’s bold enough to challenge their thinking.”
“If your heart tells you to say this to do this, then you need to lean into that edge, even if it’s to start off by saying, ‘Hey, I feel a little bit nervous to say this.’”
“If you’re addicted to alcohol, to drugs, to sex, to the internet, there’s all sorts of help you can get to support you. If you’re addicted to work, everything is set up to support you in doing more of it.”
“You need things that nurture your spirit. And as much as doing work that you love can feel great, it doesn’t always nurture your soul.”
“We’re not stronger than that algorithm. We can’t be. So we need ways to support.”
Key Takeaways
Ask “What Do You Want?” This simple yet powerful question unlocks clarity and reveals what truly matters.
Self-Awareness Fuels Success. Great leaders reflect on their actions and embrace honest feedback to grow.
Energy Drives Achievement. Identify what energizes or drains you to create more capacity for meaningful work.
Growth Comes From Discomfort. The most fulfilling moments come when you step outside your comfort zone.
Presence Nourishes the Soul. Activities like walking, reading, or connecting with loved ones demand your full attention and lead to greater fulfillment.
Community Accelerates Growth. Honest, supportive relationships amplify self-awareness and help you thrive.