Michael Hyatt, founder and chairman of Michael Hyatt & Company, discusses the quest for balance among high achievers. He highlights the importance of embracing nonachievement and engaging in hobbies unrelated to work. Michael shares insights on the beginner's mindset, suggesting that trying new activities can enhance creativity and productivity. He emphasizes nurturing genuine friendships and the value of emotional connections in leadership. The conversation also explores how heart-centered leadership can reshape workplace dynamics for better well-being.
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The Bonus Check
Michael Hyatt shares a story about receiving a large bonus check but realizing his work success came at the expense of his family life.
His wife's tearful conversation revealed his absence and the need for change.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Setting Boundaries
Set boundaries on work hours, including evenings, weekends, and vacations, to increase productivity and presence.
Find an accountability partner to maintain those boundaries.
insights INSIGHT
The Power of Non-Achievement
High achievers often struggle with leisure, either drifting back to work or passively consuming media.
True restoration comes from non-achievement activities like hobbies, offering a different kind of engagement.
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5 Principles to Free Yourself from the Cult of Overwork
Michael Hyatt
Megan Hyatt-Miller
In 'Win at Work and Succeed at Life', Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller present a manifesto on how to achieve work-life balance and restore sanity. The book introduces the 'Double Win' philosophy, where work and life are in partnership, not opposition. It outlines five principles: recognizing success as multi-dimensional, embracing constraints as productivity tools, achieving dynamic work-life balance, finding power in nonachievement, and understanding rest as the foundation of productive work. The authors use personal stories, case studies, and insights from psychology and organizational science to provide practical advice for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life[2][3][5].
Effortless
Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most
Greg McKeown
In 'Effortless', Greg McKeown offers practical tools and strategies for achieving more with less effort. The book is organized into three parts: the effortless state, effortless action, and effortless results. McKeown argues that not everything has to be hard and provides methods for turning tedious tasks into enjoyable rituals, preventing frustration, setting a sustainable pace, and automating essential tasks. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of finding easier ways to accomplish what matters most, rather than perpetually overexerting oneself[1][2][5].
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.
Platform
Get Noticed in a Noisy World
Michael Hyatt
Steve Gottry
In this book, Michael Hyatt and Steve Gottry offer practical advice on creating and expanding a platform to get noticed in a noisy world. The authors discuss the use of social media technologies and other strategies to build an audience and establish a strong presence. Drawing from Hyatt's experience as a former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and his success as a business blogger, the book provides down-to-earth guidance for entrepreneurs and individuals looking to enhance their visibility.
Living Forward
A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
Michael Hyatt
Daniel Harkavy
In this book, Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy provide a step-by-step guide for creating a 'Life Plan' that helps readers stop drifting through life and instead live with intention and purpose. The authors share proven principles to help readers design a life with the end in mind, determine desired outcomes, and chart a path to achieve them in every area of life. The book addresses the tendency to drift and offers tools and resources to create clarity, courage, and commitment in living a meaningful life[1][2][5].
Your Best Year Ever
A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals
Michael Hyatt
In Your Best Year Ever, Michael Hyatt shares a 5-step plan to help readers achieve their most important goals. The book is based on modern research and real-world experience, providing actionable steps to overcome past setbacks, set and pursue worthy goals, and stay motivated. It covers various aspects of life, including spirituality, marriage, parenting, friendships, intellectual life, personal finances, work, mental health, and physical health. The system helps readers identify what holds them back, find the right balance between challenging and achievable goals, and leverage support from partners or groups to ensure success.
Free to Focus
Michael Hyatt
In 'Free to Focus,' Michael Hyatt presents a comprehensive productivity system designed to help readers manage their time and energy more effectively. The book emphasizes the importance of focus, outlining a three-phase approach: Stop (formulate, evaluate, rejuvenate), Cut (eliminate non-essentials), and Act (build momentum). Hyatt introduces the 'Freedom Compass,' which categorizes tasks into zones such as the Desire Zone, Drudgery Zone, Distraction Zone, and Disinterest Zone, to help readers prioritize tasks that align with their passions and skills. The book aims to help professionals achieve a better work-life balance by doing more of what they love and less of what they don't.
Michael Hyatt: Win at Work and Succeed at Life
Michael is the founder and chairman of Michael Hyatt & Company, which helps leaders get the focus they need to win at work and succeed at life. Formerly chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Michael is also the creator of the Full Focus Planner*.
Michael is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Free to Focus*, Your Best Year Ever*, Living Forward*, and Platform*. His work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Businessweek, Entrepreneur, and other publications. He is the author with his daughter Meghan Hyatt Miller of Win at Work and Succeed at Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself from the Cult of Overwork*.
In this conversation, Michael and I discuss the challenge that many leaders face in finding balance. While many of us are motivated by achievement, Michael invites us to consider the value of nonachievment. We explore where to start and the benefits of being a beginner again through hobbies and other activities, unrelated to our careers.
Key Points
There’s incredible power in nonachievement.
Many high-achieving people tend to have two leisure modes: feeling weird, unsettled, and distracted when taking time off — or vegging out on screens after exhaustion.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi advises doing something that’s not related to work at all to get you into a different mindset.
Beware the belief that your hobby is your work. Spending more time on a hobby that has nothing to do with work can boost confidence in your ability to perform your job well.
The challenge for high achievers in starting a hobby is that they must be a beginner again. Getting coaching to help get through these early stages can help.
Resources Mentioned
Bonus Resources: Win at Work and Succeed at Life
Win at Work and Succeed at Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself from the Cult of Overwork* by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Transcend Work-Life Balance, with Scott Anthony Barlow (episode 315)
How to Reclaim Conversation, with Cal Newport (episode 400)
Finding Joy Through Intentional Choices, with Bonni Stachowiak (episode 417)
How to Sell Your Vision, with Michael Hyatt (episode 482)
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