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Steven Kotler || The Art of Impossible

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Jan 28, 2021

Guest

Steven Kotler

In this conversation with Steven Kotler, a bestselling author and human performance expert, listeners dive deep into the realms of human potential and creativity. Kotler shares insights on navigating the flow state and emphasizes the significance of grit and confidence in overcoming challenges. He differentiates between 'impossible' and 'Impossible,' asserting that extraordinary achievements are reached through persistence. The discussion also touches on the role of fear as a compass and the necessity of resilience amid failures for personal growth.

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Magnum Opus

Steven Kotler's book, "The Art of Impossible," represents 30 years of research.
It explores human potential, flow states, and high performance.

insights

INSIGHT

Unfulfilled Potential

Not pursuing full potential is psychologically damaging, contributing to anxiety and depression.
This is linked to a lack of meaningful work, which stems from a lack of curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery.

insights

INSIGHT

Flow Training

Training flow is more effective now due to advancements in neurobiology.
Biological mechanisms are universal, making flow training more reliable and repeatable across individuals.

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Exploring the Art of Human Potential and Creativity

01:44 • 2min

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Navigating Flow and High Performance

03:35 • 18min

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Navigating the Impossible

21:28 • 22min

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Understanding the Evolution of Passion

43:45 • 3min

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Passion, Purpose, and Peak Performance

46:52 • 7min

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The Relationship Between Talent and Perseverance

53:38 • 2min

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Engaging with the Podcast and Exploring Diverse Content

55:29 • 3min

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The Future Is Faster Than You Think

How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives

Peter H. Diamandis

Steven Kotler

This book investigates how the convergence of technologies such as AI, robotics, virtual reality, digital biology, and sensors with 3D printing, blockchain, and global gigabit networks will transform legacy industries and every aspect of our lives, including transportation, retail, education, health, entertainment, food, and finance. The authors provide a prescient look at the impending future, highlighting the potential for significant upheaval and wealth creation in the next decade.

The Courage to Be

Paul Tillich

This book, based on Tillich's Terry Foundation lectures at Yale University, discusses the concept of courage in various philosophical and theological contexts. It presents courage as the strength to affirm one's own life in spite of its inevitable end and the lack of purpose. Tillich analyzes courage in relation to fortitude, wisdom, self-affirmation, and existence itself, drawing on thinkers such as Plato, Aquinas, the Stoics, Spinoza, and Nietzsche. The book is a sophisticated discussion of human ontology, anthropology, and theology, introducing these concepts to a lay readership.

Lost Connections

Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions

Johann Hari

In 'Lost Connections', Johann Hari explores the increasing rates of depression and anxiety in the Western world. Through a 40,000-mile journey interviewing experts and visiting various communities, Hari identifies nine causes of depression and anxiety, all centered around the theme of disconnection. These causes include disconnection from meaningful work, other people, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status and respect, the natural world, and a hopeful or secure future. The book also delves into the role of genes and brain changes. Hari argues that traditional solutions focusing on chemical imbalances are insufficient and proposes alternative solutions based on reconnection, such as social prescribing, community engagement, and addressing societal issues like inequality and lack of social security.

The Art of Impossible

Steven Kotler

Abundance

The Future Is Better Than You Think

Peter H. Diamandis

Steven Kotler

In this book, Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler present a contrarian view that the future is brighter than commonly perceived. They document how exponential technologies, DIY innovators, technophilanthropists, and the rising billion (the world's poor empowered by modern communication technology) are conspiring to solve global problems such as access to clean water, food, energy, healthcare, education, and freedom. The authors provide examples and strategic roadmaps for governments, industries, and entrepreneurs to address these challenges, offering a optimistic outlook on the potential for technological innovation to improve human living standards.

The Rise of Superman

Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance

Steven Kotler

In this groundbreaking book, Steven Kotler delves into the science of 'flow,' an optimal state of consciousness where individuals perform and feel their best. Drawing on over a decade of research and firsthand interviews with top action and adventure sports athletes like Laird Hamilton, Jeremy Jones, and Danny Way, Kotler explains how these athletes achieve the impossible through flow. The book bridges the gap between extreme sports and mainstream life, offering insights on how to radically accelerate performance in everyday activities. It is a exploration of profound possibility, examining what is achievable for human beings and where our limits lie.

Stealing fire

How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

Steven Kotler

This book explores the revolution in high performance driven by four accelerating forces: psychology, neurobiology, technology, and pharmacology. It delves into how trailblazers like Eric Schmidt, Elon Musk, Navy SEALs, and maverick scientists are harnessing rare and controversial states of consciousness to solve critical challenges and enhance their lives. The authors, Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal, spent four years investigating these leading edges, from Silicon Valley to the Navy SEALs, and present a provocative examination of what is possible and how to radically upgrade one's life.

BOLD

HOW TO GO BIG, CREATE WEALTH AND IMPACT THE WORLD

Peter H. Diamandis

BOLD is a how-to guide that arms entrepreneurs, activists, and leaders with the tools to positively impact the lives of billions while achieving their biggest dreams. The book is divided into three parts: Part One focuses on exponential technologies disrupting Fortune 500 companies; Part Two explores the psychological aspects of bold thinking, including insights from billionaires like Larry Page, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos; and Part Three discusses best practices such as incentive competitions, crowdfunding campaigns, and community building.

Today it’s great to chat with Steven Kotler on the podcast. Steven is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. He is the author of nine bestsellers (out of thirteen books total), including The Art of Impossible, The Future Is Faster Than You Think, Stealing Fire, The Rise of Superman, Bold and Abundance. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 40 languages, and appeared in over 100 publications, including the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Atlantic Monthly, TIME and the Harvard Business Review. Steven is also the cohost of Flow Research Collective Radio. Along with his wife, author Joy Nicholson, he is the cofounder of the Rancho de Chihuahua, a hospice and special needs dog sanctuary.

Topics

[4:04] Understanding human potential

[9:58] Why not going big is bad for us

[11:22] Insights into the flow state

[15:06] "Biology scales, personality doesn’t"

[18:44] The importance of confidence and grit

[19:05] Physical vs. psychological recovery

[20:51] Conscious vs. unconscious self-esteem

[22:49] The difference between impossible and Impossible

[25:21] How to get to Impossible

[27:39] Reflections on failure

[31:14] Steven’s thoughts on bravery

[32:51] Fear as a compass

[33:44] Exercising clarity of vision

[34:37] Confronting physical barriers to performance

[36:57] Steven's dimensions of grit

[40:51] How practice makes confident

[43:31] How the "courage to be” may be a form of grit

[44:54] Steven’s thoughts on passion

[49:34] The role of purpose in peak performance

[53:16] How to be a high performer

[55:09] The "habit of ferocity"

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