The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: Since 2015, Benjamin Hardy has been the #1 writer on Medium.com.  He is pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Clemson University.  Ben's writing focuses on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. His writing is fueled by his personal experiences, self-directed education, and formal education.  Ben's work is read by millions of people every month.  

Show Notes:

• Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
  • They continually put themselves in situations that demand a lot of them.  They put themselves in high stakes situations
  • They invest in themself
  • They create conditions for success to happen
  • Pianist John Burke (Grammy nominated)
    • He puts external pressure on himself ("I will release an album a year").  It forces him to get to work to fulfill those expectations he puts on himself 
    • Being socially invested is a forcing function
    • Signing up for the race like Parker Mays -- A date on the calendar to prepare for.  "If I don't prepare, I will fail miserably"
• Why you should invest 10% of your income in your self
• The best self improvement book Ben has ever read? Letting Go
• "Willpower doesn't work."  You must create the environment to be successful -- Upgrade your mindset
• Self signaling - How you view yourself is not permanent.  Start to alter your behavior, you start seeing yourself differently
• You can shape your personality
• How to upgrade yourself? -- "When you invest money, you are committed"
• Why all high performers invest in a coach
• Peak moments -- how to change your life for the better
• Cal Newport - "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"
• Investing in relationships (Jeff Goins and Ryan Holiday)
• How to build a platform
  • Learn marketing
    • Learn how to write viral headlines (Use numbers, matching, focused on outcomes)
    • Want To Become A Multi-Millionaire? Do These 15 Things Immediately
  • Understand structure - subheadings, short/snappy sentences and paragraphs
    • Have a call to action at the end
    • Create a landing page for email capture
• What is great writing?
  • Be a good teacher: Communicate effectively.  Convey & connect. Weave stories in and out: Story --> Science --> Story --> Science --> Story --> Science
  • Head knowledge:  Know your space. 
  • Have heart:  Emotional rigor, intense stories
• How to become a master of your craft
• Your decisions determine your destiny
• Visualize the process, not just the outcome
  • Create environments for optimal implementation
  • Pre plan for adversity to strike and how you will respond
• Morning routine:
  • Write in journal --> "Write it down, make it happen" --> Read --> Work out.  Create momentum for yourself.  

"Willpower doesn't work.  You must create the environment for success to be achieved."

Social Media:

• Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenjaminPHardy
• Read:  WILLPOWER DOESN'T WORK
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12