In this podcast, the host interviews author Neil Pasricha about his book 'You Are Awesome' and discusses the power of resilience. They highlight the importance of daily reflections on gratitude, focus, and letting go. They also share personal stories and valuable insights on building confidence and becoming a big fish in a small pond. The podcast concludes with a recommendation of the book and key takeaways on gratitude and personal growth.
Reflecting on gratitude, focus, and letting go each morning can increase resilience.
Being open, vulnerable, and authentic allows for deeper connections and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Power of Resilience
Resilience is defined as the ability to find strength and see opportunity in challenging situations. It is about bouncing back and understanding that hardships can shape and build us. Resilience is worth striving for because life is short and fragile. By developing resilience, we can navigate through setbacks, recover from failures, and reach our fullest potential as human beings.
The Importance of Revealing to Heal
Being open and vulnerable can lead to healing and growth. The act of revealing our true selves and sharing vulnerable experiences allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. By sharing our stories and being authentic, we create genuine connections and build trust. The process of writing down our fears, worries, and gratitude can also help reduce anxiety and bring contentment.
Becoming a Big Fish in a Small Pond
Instead of striving to fit into the crowd or compete with others, it can be more beneficial to find our own unique position or niche. By seeking opportunities where our skills and perspectives stand out, we can become a big fish in a small pond. This approach enhances our self-concept, boosts confidence, and accelerates personal and professional growth.
Being Present and Connecting with Others
One of the ongoing challenges is to be fully present when engaging with others, especially loved ones. Instead of focusing on making them perfect or trying to control situations, the key is to simply be with them. By immersing ourselves in the present moment and truly listening, we can deepen connections and nurture meaningful relationships.
Takeaway:There are things you can reflect on each day that will make you more resilient. It’s worth beginning each morning by reflecting on what you’re grateful for, what you intend to focus on, and what you want to let go of.
Estimated Reading Time:1 minute, 37s.
Podcast Length32 minutes, 31s (link to play podcast at bottom of post).
I read Neil Pasricha’s latest book, You Are Awesome, in two sittings. I’ll cut right to the chase: this book is one of the best (and most vulnerable and entertaining) books on resiliency out there. If you’re looking to become more resilient, you should pick this one up.
A thought became very clear once I began digging into the book: I absolutely had to interview Neil on the podcast. Luckily, he agreed. (You can listen to our conversation at the bottom of this post.)
There are so many nuggets of insight from our conversation that I think you’ll find enjoyable, but one of my favorite ideas that we chatted about, which you can implement immediately, is about some questions we can ask ourselves each morning to boost how resilient we are. Neil suggests beginning each day with three reflections:
Today, I am grateful for _______.
Today, I will focus on _______.
Today, I will let go of _______.
Daily gratitude reminds us of how lucky we are. Choosing a focus lets us set a purposeful direction for the day. And choosing something to let go of allows us to remind ourselves that not all of our baggage is worth carrying.
In our conversation, we also chat about the stories we tell ourselves, and how we can question whether or not they’re true. When you find that the dialogue in your head has gotten heated, and you’re not sure whether you should believe it, it’s worth asking yourself three questions:
Is this just a story I’m telling myself?
Will this matter on my deathbed?
Can I actually do something about this?
When it is just a story, if it won’t matter, and if you indeed can’t do anything about it, it’s not a story worth buying into.
If I’m honest, resiliency is not something I’d thought a lot about, until I picked up this book. I’m sure that, should you decide to dig into this interview (and the book!) you’ll find the exact same.