Wildman systems design expert Malcolm Ocean discusses undomesticated productivity, goal crafting, and intentionality-maxxing. Topics include trust dynamics in building stronger human connections, the importance of embodying wisdom and expanded design thinking, managing tasks as a spiritual discipline, letting go of intentions, finding rest amidst societal pressures, considerations in choosing a name, and defining goals without compromises.
Being a feral free agent means escaping societal expectations and living as a self-directed individual.
Balancing purpose and goal-oriented behavior with playfulness and spontaneity in life.
Understanding trust dynamics and building authentic connections for meaningful relationships.
Deep dives
The concept of being a feral free agent
Being a feral free agent means getting outside the trap of societal expectations and becoming your own self-directed, self-authored individual, living in the economic world but with the freedom to do what you feel like.
The importance of playfulness and purposefulness
Finding the balance between being driven, purposeful, and goal-oriented while also maintaining a sense of playfulness and spontaneity in life.
Understanding the trust dance
Exploring the dynamics of trust building in relationships and the importance of understanding trust on a deeper level to create more meaningful and authentic connections.
The role of goal setting and intentionality
Setting goals helps provide direction, motivation, and focus towards achieving desired outcomes. Goals are not restrictions, but rather a way to prioritize and align one's actions and intentions for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Setting goals based on intent
The podcast discusses the importance of setting goals based on intent, rather than being reactive or influenced by external factors. It emphasizes the need to start with big picture goals and then take actions that align with those goals. One example given is focusing on growing a business while creating the life one desires. The speaker suggests that rather than being overwhelmed by salient, random opportunities, individuals should prioritize actions that contribute to their long-term goals. This could involve activities like revisiting a list of blog post ideas, finding inspiration on social media, or focusing on completing unfinished projects.
Creating space for self-discovery
The podcast explores the importance of creating a space for self-discovery and reflection, free from external distractions and societal expectations. It highlights the need to take breaks from the constant flood of information and external influences that can hijack one's attention and decision-making. The speaker suggests engaging in practices like meditation and purposeful moments of rest to tap into one's deeper intentions and goals. This process involves acknowledging and renegotiating societal pressures and memeplexes, allowing individuals to consciously relate to their own desires and goals. The podcast concludes by encouraging listeners to explore the question, 'What do I need to do before I die?' as a means of identifying long-standing goals and aspirations.
Malcolm Ocean is a multitude-containing, wildman systems design expert who founded the productivity app Intend.do. It’s a tool that prioritizes intentionality over task management and provides a compelling counterpoint to David Allen’s Getting Things Done method. Malcolm also writes extensively about goal crafting, trust dynamics and group coordination. He’s great at combining big picture galaxy-brain thinking with uncompromising practicality.
You can learn more about Malcolm on his website or follow him on Twitter.
