The Tim Ferriss Show

#638: Seth Godin on The Game of Life, The Value of Hacks, and Overcoming Anxiety (Repost)

Nov 28, 2022

01:41:24

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Renowned author Seth Godin discusses the value of hacks and overcoming anxiety. They explore the concept of quality and the importance of making decisions without self-negotiation. They also discuss authenticity vs consistency and the power of positive constraints. Additionally, they delve into seeking joy, choosing the game of life, and the importance of courage and virtues for personal growth and creativity.

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Quick takeaways

Constraints can unlock creativity and focus by providing boundaries within which to operate.

Seeking joy in our work leads to fulfillment and purpose, prioritizing enjoyment over external measures of success.

Positive constraints enhance creativity, problem-solving, and productivity by forcing resourcefulness and prioritization.

Deep dives

The Power of Constraints: Finding Success within Boundaries

Constraints are not limitations, but rather opportunities to define the parameters within which we operate. By setting constraints, we can focus our efforts, prioritize our resources, and make clearer decisions. For example, R.E.M., an already successful band, imposed constraints on themselves by taking a break from touring and switching instruments for their next album. This allowed them to leverage their momentum and trust while exploring new edges and creating something fresh. Constraints can help us maintain focus, reveal new perspectives, and unleash our creativity within defined boundaries.

The power of making something your identity

00:31

Anxiety Is Experiencing Failure in Advance

02:45

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Starting Any New Project: Clarify Goals AND Constraints

02:37

Where's Your Bad Writing?

00:33

Introduction

4min

Introduction to Seth Godin: A World-Class Performer in Marketing and Leadership

2min

Exploring the Meaning of 'Hack'

2min

The Concept of Quality

22min

The Value of Hacks and Overcoming Anxiety

3min

Authenticity vs Consistency

23min

The Power of Positive Constraints

8min

Seeking Joy and Choosing the Game

24min

The Importance of Courage and Virtues for Personal Growth and Creativity

7min

10.

Expressing Gratitude and Promoting Five Bullet Friday

6min

Brought to you by Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, Theragun percussive muscle therapy devices, and Shopify global commerce platform providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business.

Seth Godin (@ThisIsSethsBlog) is the author of 19 international bestsellers translated into more than 35 languages, including Tribes, Purple Cow, Linchpin, The Dip, and This Is Marketing. He writes daily at Seths.blog, which is one of the most popular blogs in the world. He’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership, and most of all, changing everything. He is also the author of The Practice: Shipping Creative Work.

In this episode, we explore many topics, including:

The value of hacks
The magic of Hamilton
What learning to juggle and cultivating creativity have in common
The myth of quality
What Seth means by “Don’t steal the revelation.”
Focusing on generosity instead of anxiety
Choosing the ruleset of your own game of life
How Joni Mitchell eschewed the safety of the sinecure
What you would do if you knew you would fail?

Please enjoy!

This episode was originally published in 2020: https://tim.blog/2020/10/26/seth-godin-the-practice/

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1 by Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system.

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