John R. Miles, authority on intentional behavior change, shares the 'Psychology of Progress' framework and 'Deliberate Action Process.' We delve into the 'Anxiety Optimizer' concept and discuss bold risk-taking for success.
Make intentional choices aligned with personal goals to avoid living on autopilot.
Passion and perseverance are crucial, but intentionality directs actions towards long-term goals.
Incremental improvements and consistent micro choices drive personal growth and progress.
Balancing challenge and skill levels optimizes performance and achieves flow states.
Deep dives
Living Intentionally vs. Unintentionally
Living intentionally involves being mindful and consciously making choices aligned with personal goals, avoiding living on autopilot and conforming to societal norms. John Miles highlights the importance of making micro choices throughout the day to drive progress towards one's objectives, rather than bouncing through life aimlessly.
Passion, Purpose, and Intentionality
John Miles discusses the relationship between passion, purpose, and intentionality, emphasizing that while passion and perseverance are crucial, intentionality directs actions toward long-term goals. Drawing from experiences at the Naval Academy and insights from Angela Duckworth's work, he underscores the significance of aligning passion and perseverance with intentional actions.
The Psychology of Progress
John Miles introduces the concept of the 'psychology of progress' as a transformative approach to achieving goals. By likening progress to running a mile race, he emphasizes the importance of incremental improvements over time, rather than seeking immediate drastic changes. He stresses the power of making consistent micro choices and the impact of transition points in defining personal growth.
Team Alignment and Deliberate Action Process
Reflecting on his experiences at Lowe's and the National Security Agency, John Miles delves into the significance of team alignment and the 'deliberate action process.' He highlights the importance of fostering a 'passion star culture' within organizations to engage employees effectively. By sharing his deliberate action process, he emphasizes the value of clear goals, intrinsic motivation, and a structured approach to achieving success.
Optimizing Performance and Achieving Flow States
John Miles explores the concept of optimizing performance and achieving flow states by balancing challenge and skill levels. He shares insights on being on the edge without going over it, drawing parallels to high-pressure environments like NASCAR racing. By prioritizing clarity, intrinsic motivation, and consistent action, individuals can enhance their performance and cultivate a growth mindset.
Self-Discovery and Life Crafting
John Miles emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and 'life crafting' to bridge the gap between actual, odd, and ideal selves. Through introspection and aligning actions with aspirations, individuals can journey towards becoming their ideal selves. By shifting focus from external comparisons to personal growth and progress, one can cultivate intrinsic motivation and pursue authentic fulfillment.
The Power of Lifestyle Choices and Self-Alignment
Addressing the impact of lifestyle choices on health and well-being, John Miles underscores the significance of intentional decisions in shaping one's life. He highlights the role of sleep, nutrition, social relationships, and alignment with personal goals in achieving holistic success. Encouraging listeners to prioritize self-awareness and intentional actions, he emphasizes the transformative power of aligning choices with aspirations.
Final Thoughts and Connections
John Miles concludes by underlining the transformative potential of intentional choices and self-alignment in driving personal growth and success. He encourages listeners to embrace self-discovery, clarify their goals, and commit to consistent actions aligned with their aspirations. By focusing on intrinsic motivation, progress, and personal development, individuals can embark on a fulfilling journey towards achieving their ideal selves.
There’s a difference between living a life that ignites your passion and simply existing. You get to choose which one you want. Our guest today, John R. Miles, is here to teach us the proven tactics for living an intentional life that matters.
John is a leading authority on intentional behavior change, personal growth and mattering. He’s a celebrated leader, speaker, entrepreneur, award-winning podcaster, and author of a new book called “Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles To Unlock Your Purpose And Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.”
Today we talk about John’s “Psychology of Progress” and the importance of micro choices. We also talk about John’s “Deliberate Action Process” which is: Analysis, prioritization, ignition, execution, measurement, and renewal. We also touch on his concept of “Anxiety Optimizer,” finding the sweet spot of being on the edge without going over the edge.
We cover a ton of ground in this episode- buckle up and get ready to learn!
If you're a bold risk taker who wants to dream big and achieve a higher level of success in your life or business, visit the1thing.com to learn about our one-on-one coaching, as well as our exclusive community membership program.
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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.
We talk about:
John’s Psychology of Progress framework
The Deliberate Action Process John developed for businesses
