We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network

TIP581: Richer, Wiser, Happier Q3, 2023 w/ Stig Brodersen & William Green

26 snips

Oct 8, 2023

Arnold Van den Berg, an inspiring investor and Holocaust survivor, shares his remarkable journey from adversity to success. The hosts dive into the importance of emotional intelligence, offering strategies to manage negative emotions and cultivate kindness. They discuss the power of humility and a truth-seeking mindset in investing and life. Personal anecdotes highlight how small acts of kindness can create significant change and foster deeper connections, showcasing the transformative influence of compassion in our lives.

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ADVICE

Emotional Guidance

Reject negative emotions like resentment, jealousy, or fear.
Cultivate positive emotions such as love, compassion, and forgiveness.

ADVICE

Habit Pairing

Pair a disliked activity with an enjoyable one to avoid procrastination.
This "habit pairing" can also channel negative emotions into productive work towards a valued goal.

INSIGHT

Self-Awareness and Emotions

Self-awareness of emotions, particularly where they manifest in your body, is crucial.
This awareness allows you to make adjustments and prevent emotions from clouding judgment.

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War, Wealth, and Wisdom

Barton Biggs

Transcending the Levels of Consciousness

David R. Hawkins

David R. Hawkins' "Transcending the Levels of Consciousness" explores the spectrum of human consciousness, ranging from shame and guilt to enlightenment. Hawkins presents a map of consciousness, illustrating the different levels of awareness and their corresponding emotional states. He argues that the level of consciousness one operates from significantly impacts their life experiences. The book delves into the dynamics of power and control, suggesting that higher levels of consciousness are characterized by greater freedom and self-mastery. Hawkins' work is often cited in the field of spiritual development and personal growth.

Zen mind, beginner's mind

Shunryū Suzuki

In 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind', Shunryu Suzuki explores the core principles of Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of 'shoshin' or 'beginner’s mind'. This mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, and open to all possibilities. The book discusses various aspects of Zen practice, including zazen (sitting meditation), breathing techniques, and the importance of maintaining a non-dualistic and compassionate mindset. Suzuki uses simple language and everyday examples to illustrate how to apply Zen principles in daily life, emphasizing the need to approach each experience with freshness and openness, rather than preconceptions or a sense of achievement.

Letting Go

David Hawkins

Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.

The Great Minds of Investing

William Green

Power Vs. Force

The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior

David R. Hawkins

In 'Power vs. Force,' David R. Hawkins explores the nature of true power and force, arguing that power is whole, positive, and wholesome, while force is partial, selfish, and negative. The book introduces a hierarchical scale of consciousness, ranging from 1 to 1000, where levels below 200 are considered negative and those above 200 are positive. Hawkins uses concepts from particle physics, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos theory, as well as Applied Kinesiology, to support his research. The book is divided into three parts, discussing the process of achieving one’s ultimate potential, the distinction between power and force in various aspects of life, and the evolution of human consciousness. It emphasizes the importance of integrity, understanding, and compassion in enhancing one’s level of consciousness and leading a more fulfilling life[1][3][4].

Altered Traits

Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body

Richard J. Davidson

Daniel Goleman

In 'Altered Traits,' Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson delve into the scientific research behind meditation, highlighting its ability to alter personality traits and benefit both mind and body. The book distinguishes between 'altered states' of consciousness during meditation and 'altered traits,' which are lasting psychological changes. It discusses various levels of meditation practice, from beginner to 'Olympic-level' meditators, and presents findings from over 6,000 scientific studies, focusing on those that meet high methodological standards. The authors explain how meditation can reduce stress, improve emotional health, enhance focus, and even change brain pathways, leading to more equanimity and compassion[1][4][5].

Tiny Habits

The Small Changes That Change Everything

BJ Fogg

In 'Tiny Habits,' Dr. BJ Fogg presents a breakthrough method for habit formation based on 20 years of research and his experience coaching thousands of people. The book introduces the 'Behavior Design' approach, which emphasizes the importance of motivation, ability, and prompts in creating new habits. Fogg's method, known as the ABC (Anchor, Behavior, Celebration) method, involves anchoring new habits to existing routines, performing the behavior, and celebrating each success to reinforce the habit. The book provides step-by-step guides and practical techniques to make habit formation easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, helping readers to increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Why We Meditate

Daniel Goleman

Tsoknyi Rinpoche

In 'Why We Meditate', Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche blend scientific research with spiritual practices to provide a comprehensive guide to meditation. The book offers practical techniques to overcome destructive emotions and achieve inner peace, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced meditators. It explores the physiological benefits of meditation, such as inducing a relaxation response, and delves into deeper psychological and spiritual insights.

Emotional alchemy

Tara Bennett-Goleman

In 'Emotional Alchemy,' Tara Bennett-Goleman offers a transformative approach by blending Buddhist mindfulness with Western cognitive therapy. This book helps individuals recognize and reshape maladaptive emotional patterns, known as schemas, which often stem from early life experiences. By cultivating mindfulness and self-compassion, readers can break free from self-destructive habits and foster more fulfilling relationships and experiences.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].

Thinking in bets

Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

Annie Duke

In this book, Annie Duke teaches readers how to make better decisions by treating them as 'bets' on uncertain outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the quality of a decision and its outcome, acknowledging the role of luck, and avoiding biases such as 'resulting' and hindsight bias. Duke draws on her experiences as a professional poker player and combines these with insights from cognitive psychology and other fields to provide tools for making more objective and thoughtful decisions. The book encourages readers to get comfortable with uncertainty, seek truth through diverse opinions, and learn from outcomes to improve future decision-making[1][3][5].

The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg

In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses[2][4][5].

The alchemy of finance

George Soros

In 'The Alchemy of Finance,' George Soros provides a detailed account of his investment strategies and introduces the concept of 'reflexivity,' which challenges traditional economic and financial theories. The book includes a theoretical and practical analysis of financial trends, historical perspectives on financial markets, and a real-time experiment detailing his trading activities. It also features a new chapter by Soros on the secrets of his success and a new Foreword by Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The book emphasizes the role of thinking participants in financial markets and the self-reinforcing trends that arise from their interactions[2][4][5].

Emotional Intelligence

Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

Daniel Goleman

In 'Emotional Intelligence,' Daniel Goleman presents a compelling argument that emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for success, happiness, and virtue. Drawing on research in psychology and neuroscience, Goleman explains how EI, which includes self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy, shapes our destiny. The book details five key skills of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, managing emotions, motivation, recognizing emotions in others, and social skills. Goleman shows how these skills can be nurtured and strengthened throughout adulthood, benefiting our health, relationships, and work performance[2][3][4].

Richer, Wiser, Happier

How the World's Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life

William Green

In Richer, Wiser, Happier, William Green draws on interviews conducted over twenty-five years with many of the world’s greatest investors. The book highlights that the most successful investors are mavericks and iconoclasts who question conventional wisdom and think rationally, rigorously, and objectively. They maximize their odds of long-term success in markets and life by drawing insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, economic history, psychology, philosophy, and more. Green explains how these investors can teach us not only how to become rich but also how to improve our thinking, decision-making, risk assessment, and resilience, and how to turn uncertainty to our advantage.