210: Free Time by Jenny Blake

In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works.

In 'Deep Discipleship,' J.T. English argues that the local church is the primary platform for making and growing disciples of Jesus. He addresses the issue of biblical illiteracy and the neglect of discipleship by churches, proposing a model that includes three indispensable elements: learning to participate in the biblical story, growing in the confession of who God is and who we are (theology), and regularly participating in private and corporate intentional action (spiritual disciplines). English emphasizes that true discipleship must be grounded in the local church, highlighting its unique role in providing a place, people, purpose, and God's presence for holistic discipleship.

In 'Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One', Jenny Blake introduces the Pivot Method, a four-stage process (Plant, Scan, Pilot, and Launch) designed to help individuals navigate career changes effectively. The book is tailored for anyone seeking a new career direction, considering a second career, or looking to use their talents in new ways. Blake draws from her experience at Google and her own career transitions to provide practical advice, case studies, and interactive exercises to help readers manage the risks associated with change and find new opportunities. The book emphasizes the importance of doubling down on existing strengths, identifying new skills to develop, running small experiments, and taking smart risks to launch in a new direction.

In 'Never Play It Safe,' Chase Jarvis argues that safety is an illusion that holds us back from true fulfillment and extraordinary success. The book is structured around seven core 'levers': attention, time, intuition, constraints, play, failure, and practice. Jarvis draws from his own transformative experiences and insights from top entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and performers to help readers break free from the comfort of playing it safe. He provides practical techniques to train attention, unlock potential, and achieve a life filled with freedom, creativity, and fulfillment.

In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.

In 'Who Not How', Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy introduce the 'Who Not How' framework, which challenges the traditional 'how' mindset by encouraging readers to ask 'who' can help achieve their goals. This book teaches how to delegate tasks effectively, find experts who can handle specific challenges, and create transformational relationships. By adopting this mindset, readers can free up time, build supportive teams, and achieve their biggest goals while maintaining personal freedom and reducing burnout.

In 'Anti-Time Management,' Richie Norton offers a revolutionary approach to the age-old question of work-life balance. The book introduces the 'Time Tipping' framework, which emphasizes prioritizing attention over managing time. Norton provides practical principles such as 'Project Stacking,' 'Work Syncing,' and 'Expert Sourcing' to help readers get their time back, change how they are paid, and protect and expand their time around their values. The book is filled with personal stories and insights that help readers clarify and prioritize what is truly important in their lives and work.