In 'Good Inside,' Dr. Becky Kennedy shares her parenting philosophy, which focuses on building strong relationships with children rather than merely shaping their behavior. The book critiques traditional parenting methods like reward charts and time-outs, which fail to address children's complex emotional needs. Dr. Kennedy provides actionable strategies and troubleshooting for various parenting challenges, such as sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, and tantrums. Her approach helps parents move from uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and sturdy leadership, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in parenting.
In this book, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans apply the principles of design thinking to help readers design and build a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. The authors, who are also educators at Stanford University, emphasize the importance of prototyping, experimentation, and iteration in life design. They provide practical exercises and tools to help readers navigate life's challenges and create a future that aligns with their values and aspirations. The book is based on their highly successful course at Stanford and has been widely praised for its empowering and practical approach to life design.
In 'Courage Is Calling', Ryan Holiday explores the virtue of courage through engaging stories about historic and contemporary leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The book breaks down the elements of fear, cowardice, bravery, and heroism, and shows how to conquer fear and practice courage in daily life. Holiday also shares personal anecdotes, including his own experiences with courage and cowardice, to emphasize the importance of choosing to act courageously despite the presence of fear.
In 'Discipline is Destiny', Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic virtue of self-discipline, drawing on historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate its transformative power. The book emphasizes that discipline is the foundation upon which other virtues such as courage, justice, and wisdom depend. Holiday argues that self-control is essential for personal triumph and fulfillment, and he provides engaging stories and practical advice on how to cultivate discipline in a world filled with distractions and temptations. The book also cautions against the perils of extravagance and hedonism, stressing the importance of balance and self-mastery in achieving success and happiness[2][4][5].
In this collection of essays, Bertrand Russell critiques the societal emphasis on hard work and argues that the belief in the virtue of labor causes significant harm. He proposes that if labor were shared equitably, resulting in shorter workdays, it would lead to decreased unemployment and increased human happiness through increased leisure time. Russell advocates for a four-hour workday, suggesting that this would be sufficient to maintain a comfortable standard of living, allowing more time for leisure and cultural activities. The book also touches on themes such as pacifism, politics, and the critique of authoritarian regimes and the cult of efficiency[4].
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
In 'The 4-Hour Workweek', Timothy Ferriss presents a step-by-step guide to 'lifestyle design', encouraging readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth. The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results. The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.
In 'Feel-Good Productivity,' Dr. Ali Abdaal challenges the conventional notion that productivity is about hard work and discipline. Instead, he argues that the secret to productivity is feeling good. Drawing on decades of psychological research, Abdaal introduces the three hidden 'energisers' that underpin enjoyable productivity, the three 'blockers' to overcome procrastination, and the three 'sustainers' to prevent burnout. The book includes inspiring stories from founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists and provides simple, actionable changes to make work more enjoyable and sustainable. Abdaal's approach focuses on cultivating a deeper energy for work, balancing well-being with productivity, and enjoying the journey.
In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws. These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum. The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation. Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Are you wondering about your purpose? Perhaps you have big dreams but you're not sure how to achieve them, or you're struggling to find time for your true passions amid a busy life and lots of responsibilities. Ryan Holiday is a philosopher who has built a career writing bestselling books - and now he spends his time doing what he loves, writing and raising his kids. In this eclectic conversation we talk about the importance of focusing on the journey, finding joy in hard work, and the productivity hacks that will help you unlock your true creative potential. I loved this conversation with Ryan - I hope you enjoy!
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Season 7 Episode 12
(00:00) Intro
(01:49) The process of writing a book
(06:27) Ryan's daily schedule
(9:42) How having children changes your work
(13:23) Are numbers in our control?
(22:22) Focusing on the process
(28:10) Obsessing over productivity
(41:16) The importance of doing the thing
(46:12) Can you really find joy in hard work?
(58:51) What motivates Ryan to write?
(1:04:14) Balancing fatherhood and ambition
(1:11:39) Ryan's growth as a parent
(1:16:22) Relationship advice
(1:19:58) Fitness advice
(1:22:09) How to manage your ego
(1:32:11) The truth about publishing a book
(1:38:00) Talking about the same ideas
(1:42:48) Passive income
(1:50:10) The power of taking risks
(1:58:32) Productivity habits for the new year
🔗 CONNECT WITH RYAN
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💻 Website
👥 Linkedin
🔗 CONNECT WITH ALI
📲 Join My Telegram Community
🎥 YouTube Channel
🐦 Twitter
📸 Instagram
💻 Website
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📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED
The 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene
Good Inside by Dr Becky Kennedy
Notes From a Fellow Traveller by Derren Brown
The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/
🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
Deep Dive is the podcast that delves into the minds of entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people to uncover the philosophies, strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
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Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal 
