Good!: I love this motto from Jocko Willink (the guy who said “discipline equals freedom”). “Good!” is basically a shortened version of Amor Fati. Anytime something bad happens, say “Good!” and decide how you can turn it into a positive. Jocko used this in his Navy Seal career. “Phone battery died? Good! I can read a book.”“Forgot my coat? Good! I can…
Accept: Amor Fati. Love Fate. This is the daily commitment to accept what happens, even the negatives. According to Neitzsche, “want nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it…but love it.” The wise Robert Greene speaks of a power “so immense it is hard to fathom … you feel that…
Grow: I have encountered the same concept in a few different locations this week: -In Learn Better, the author talks about “stretching.” To truly learn, you must build on a current store of knowledge, rather than 1) reviewing what you know or 2) jumping into quantum physics with no background. -Then in So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Cal Newport cites the idea of the…
Rest: Pearl (from Tim Ferriss’s book Tools of Titans) from Chade-Meng “Meng” Tan: the practice of “one breath.” Breathing is the common denominator of all mindful practices. One SINGLE breath is the most achievable, least intimidating meditation you can do. No one can say she doesn’t have time to take ONE mindful breath. When I first came across this concept I…
Habits: Dike Drummond is a physician who practiced medicine for years and now coaches burned out doctors. Today’s pearl from his book is plate spinning. Erich Brenn, the guy who spun plates and bowls on the Ed Sullivan show, would start with just one plate, and then get the rest going.Drummond says to be careful with new enthusiasm to make positive changes…
Get motivated: Amelia Boone is a Spartan warrior. In obstacle course racing, she has more than than 30 victories. In the 2012 World’s Toughest Mudder, a 24 hour continuous race, she finished 2nd overall (8 minutes behind the winner), beating all of the women and all but one of the men. Before you say “well its her job to do all that stuff,” realize that…
Intelligence: Very cool post about the present and future utility of social / emotional intelligence. As computers are increasingly integrated into culture, so called cognitively intelligent, data computing people are at less of an advantage. In Sweden, those who tested higher in “non-cognitive skills” (“social maturity,” perseverance and emotional stability) had higher wages as the years…
Move: Kelly Starrett is a trainer and physical therapist who works with elite athletes. His book Deskbound illustrates the etiology and the cure for our modern sedentary lifestyle. We sit too much. Today simply focus on posture via the 40 pound head. Your 10lb head exerts 30 lb of force if you extend forward 2 inches, and 40lb…
Wisdom: The background on my phone is a quote from Marcus Aurelius. “If it is endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining.” Your coworkers and classmates do not want to be around someone who complains. You will also benefit. The more you focus on what you don’t like about your situation, the less you focus on what…
Perspective: I had a run of sincere, appreciative patients today. Threw me off a bit. A transplant patient looked at our Nurse Practitioner and said “I have a heart like you; got my heart from a lady.” He had written multiple letters to the donor family, thanking them for his heart. Pretty amazing. Money: Depending on…
