What is a Good Life?

What is a Good Life? #108 - The Creative Power Of Attention with Ruth McCarthy

Feb 4, 2025

Ruth McCarthy, founder of Think It Through and Global Faculty at Time to Think, explores the transformative power of uninterrupted attention. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional expression in personal growth. Through attentive listening, she believes we can navigate life's complexities and improve relationships. Ruth also discusses the significance of being present, challenging limiting assumptions, and the responsibility of being a 'good ancestor' in today’s world, fostering connections that lead to a fulfilling life.

01:04:08

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Episode guests

Ruth McCarthy

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Quick takeaways

Uninterrupted attention fosters deeper connections and enhances personal growth, crucial for navigating our polarized and distracted world.

Embracing the question 'Who am I becoming?' empowers self-exploration and intentionality, essential for recognizing and embracing multifaceted identities.

Deep dives

The Power of Uninterrupted Attention

Uninterrupted attention is a transformative practice that significantly enhances relationships and personal growth. Ruth McCarthy emphasizes that listening without interruption fosters a deeper understanding and connection, allowing individuals to explore their thoughts freely. This practice is crucial in an increasingly polarized world, where genuine communication is often stifled by distractions. By focusing on this fundamental aspect of interaction, individuals can foster environments that support independent thinking and nurture meaningful conversations.

Intro

3min

The Journey of Identity and Self-Discovery

34min

The Power of Presence in Personal Growth

13min

The Role of Information in Thought Processes

5min

Reflecting on Personal Evolution and Legacy

3min

Exploring the Essence of a Good Life

6min

On the 108th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Ruth McCarthy. Reading Nancy Kline’s book Time to Think, meeting her in 2008, and experiencing for the first time the power of uninterrupted attention set Ruth on a completely new path in life in her early 50s. Challenging our limiting assumptions takes practice, and listening with the promise of no interruption can transform our relationships and results. Inspired by this, Ruth founded her consultancy, Think It Through, and as Global Faculty at Time to Think, she works with individuals and organisations across corporate, public, and non-profit sectors. Her mission? To listen to inspire deep trust, communication, and the courage to think for yourself in an increasingly polarised and volatile world.

In this wonderful conversation, Ruth shares her journey of self-discovery and the liberation that comes from embracing one's true self and observing what we are becoming. She emphasises the importance of attention and self-awareness in navigating life's complexities. We delve into the significance of ease in conversations, the impact of suppressed feelings on our well-being, and the transformative powers of thinking for oneself, curiosity, and listening.

This episode invites you to slow down, challenge your assumptions, and truly pay attention—to yourself and those around you. By doing so, you might just open the door to a life of possibility that continually surprises you.

For further content and information check out the following:
- Ruth's website: www.thinkitthrough.co.uk
- Ruth's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthmccarthy100/

- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversations

Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch.

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Who am I becoming?

08:10 Increasing self-awareness and big changes

12:40 The quality of our thinking and attention

15:25 Ease and letting go of the rush

23:49 Draining our energy by suppressing emotions

29:12 The experience of major shifts in perspective

37:14 The freedom in paying attention to now

47:10 A way of being not just a practice

55:25 Becoming a good ancestor

58:45 What is a good life for Ruth?

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