Heroic with Brian Johnson | Activate Your Best. Every Day.

After drafting that last +1, I hit my 90-minute mark for my second Deep Work Time Block of the day, which, of course, triggered one of my keystone algorithms.

“After 90-minutes of Deep Work, I take a 15-20 minute break.”

So…

I grabbed a little bite to eat and went on a short walk around our property. As I was walking, I contemplated the whole idea of “sin” and missing the mark in our lives.

Joseph Campbell (who was also raised Catholic) came to mind. I just love his wisdom on the subject. We featured it in a +1 called “Father, Bless Me.”

As you may recall, Campbell tells us: “Ramakrishna once said that if all you think of are your sins, then you are a sinner. And when I read that, I thought of my boyhood, going to confession on Saturdays, meditating on all the little sins that I had committed during the week. Now I think one should go and say, ‘Bless me, Father, for I have been great, these are the good things I have done this week.’ Identify your notion of yourself with the positive, rather than with the negative.”

That’s awesome.

Then, my thoughts were interrupted as a deer bounded away from me. She (or was it he?) paused about 50 feet away, stared at me as I stared back for an extended moment. Then she continued on her way.

That’s awesome.

Then my mind floated to Nathaniel Branden.

I couldn’t remember the precise details of his thoughts on the subject, but I remembered the essence. I remembered he once said something about the fact that there’s something worse than "sinning” or missing the target.

You know what that might be?

…

What’s your guess? What’s WORSE than missing the mark?

…

I remember that he said NOT HAVING high standards in the first place was, arguably, considerably WORSE than having them but failing to meet them.

I reflected on that, finished my walk and came straight to my computer for a quick search to find the precise words he used and to create this +1.

Enter: Mac search: “Nathaniel Branden.”

Result: A couple Notes: The Art of Living Consciously and The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.

I opened The Art of Living Consciously first. That’s an AWESOME book and Note but nope. Not there.

So, I opened The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.

Aha!! There it is.

It’s the sixth and final pillar: Integrity.

Here’s how Nathaniel puts it: “Integrity is the integration of ideals, convictions, standards, beliefs—and behavior. When our behavior is congruent with our professed values, when ideals and practice match up, we have integrity.

Observe that before the issue of integrity can even be raised we need principles of behavior—moral convictions about what is and is not appropriate—judgments about right and wrong action. If we do not yet hold standards, we are on too low a developmental rung even to be accused of hypocrisy. In such a case, our problems are too severe to be described merely as lack of integrity.”

Yep.

That’s exactly right.

And…

That’s Today’s +1.

Are YOU living in integrity with your ideals, convictions, standards, and beliefs?

And…

Remember: That presupposes we HAVE a clear sense of standards.

So…

What are yours?

Let’s know them. And, let’s live them.

As we solidify our intense trust in ourselves by getting better and better at hitting the mark.

TODAY.

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#1: Dynamic Equilibrium is Where it's at!! (#23) 0

Aug 26, 2020

Optimize: http://optimize.me/
Optimize Coach: https://www.optimize.me/coach

Today we have fun talking about dropping into a data-mining Beast Mode of awesome. Hope you enjoy and LET'S DO THIS!!!

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#1: A Tribute to Greatness (Anders Ericsson - A hero has fallen. :/) (#22) 0

Aug 25, 2020

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#1: Eating Sunsets + Food Rules (+ Watch me dropping my heart rate for fun...) (#21) 0

Aug 24, 2020

More Optimizing goodness: https://www.optimize.me

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#1: Need to write yourself a prescription? (Here's the Rx pad!!) (#20) 0

Aug 23, 2020

More Optimizing goodness: https://www.optimize.me/

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+1: #1235 Meet My New Favorite Bird 0

Aug 22, 2020

As we’ve discussed countless times, I start my days with at least a minute or three of journaling.

These days it’s a super-quick sketch of our Optimize Virtue Compass then a quick trip through the Big 3 x 2 +1.

So…

The other day I sat down to begin my Deep Work session with the quick sketch of our compass.

And…

You know what I saw right after I wrote down the four cardinal virtues of Wisdom + Self-Mastery + Courage + Love?

A cardinal.

Hah!

I kid you not.

I’m sitting there at my desk in my new outdoor office and glance up from my journaling (right after writing those cardinal virtues!) to see a beautiful red cardinal perch itself on the limb of a tree a couple dozen feet away.

And, I thought to myself: Thank you, Optimizing gods.

Then it became official.

I now have a new favorite bird: The cardinal.

Which, of course, led me to Google.

Google: “Why are cardinals the bird called cardinals?” (Slightly awkward phrasing but it got the job done. Thank you, Google.)

Enter, our first result: “Northern cardinals are named for the males' brilliant red plumage, which reminded European settlers of the rich red vestments of Catholic cardinals in the church hierarchy. The bird's crest is also reminiscent of the headgear of some higher religious officials.”

Fascinating.

Then it was time for a trip to our friendly dictionary for Today’s etymological lesson.

The Dictionary tells us that the noun form of cardinal can refer to either our friendly bird or Catholic dignitaries.

The adjective form means “of the greatest importance; fundamental.” As in: “The four cardinal virtues are worth journaling every morning to remind ourselves of the game we’re playing and how to play it well."

Now for the ancient origins of the word.

Let’s see…

Here it is: Back in the day when Latin was all the rage, the word cardo (from which we get cardinal) meant “hinge.” As in, the hinge of a door.

Makes sense.

Those cardinal virtues?

They’re the hinges on which the door to our Optimus-best self opens.

Let’s push that door open.

TODAY.

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#1: Science says: Optimize works!!! (“Massively positive effects!”) (#19) 0

Aug 22, 2020

Check out the Science: http://optimize.me/coach-science

Optimize: http://optimize.me/
Optimize Coach: https://www.optimize.me/coach

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#1: Wanna accelerate your Optimizing? Here’s how. (Get curious! + 80/20 gains + marginal gains) (#18) 0

Aug 21, 2020

More Optimizing goodness: https://www.optimize.me/

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#1: Rebound days (aka What to do after an off day) (#17) 0

Aug 20, 2020

Today we spend some time with Abraham Maslow and his wisdom on embracing “misery privileges” in our life as we also connect some ideas from Ray Dalio and his mistake-learner’s high with the inevitable imperfections of life that give us an opportunity to get a little Wiser!

Hope you enjoy and let’s do this!

-bri

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#1: Maslow says: Embrace "misery privileges" (Here's how...) (#16) 0

Aug 19, 2020

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#1: Let’s take a walk! (Visit the Johnson Trail. lol) (#15) 0

Aug 18, 2020

In Today’s #1, we go for a little walk on the Trail around our property. lol. Emerson makes a surprise cameo as we give you a little tour of our Trail and pond-turned-puddle along with an invitation to join us for Optimize Coach - Class III—which launches in less than one week!!!

Learn more, sign up, etc: https://www.optimize.me/coach

Love and let’s do this!

-bri

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+1: #1230 The Magic Spot in Our Mouths 0

Aug 17, 2020

In our last +1, we Optimized our oral posture.

Bet you didn’t think we’d be talking about that when you signed up for Optimize! (Hah.)

I know I didn’t but here we are!

Recall: We want to turn our S-shaped bodies into a J-shape and then close our lips and gently place our tongues up toward the front of the roof of our mouths.

As it turns out, my favorite breathing expert, Patrick McKeown, wrote an awesome kid’s book in which he gives us a name for that spot.

He calls it “The Magic Spot.”

So…

Teaching ourselves AND our kids how to breathe properly is SUPER important. (As in: WAY more important than we may realize.)

Patrick’s book is called Always Breathe Correctly. I highly recommend it.

The book features a wizard who teaches kids how to breathe.

Of course, he teaches us that the nose is for breathing and the mouth is for eating while teaching us to breathe gently into our bellies, etc.

And…

He teaches us how to find that “Magic Spot”— with our tongues gently touching the area on the roof of our mouth right before our front teeth. When we hit that spot, we automagically close our lips and breathe through our nose.

Which is why if I ever see Emerson with a gaping mouth, I’ll say, “Magic spot, buddy!”

He’ll immediately smile, close his lips, and proudly breathe through his nose as I give him a thumbs up and a quick sign-language “Love you, buddy!”

So…

As you go through the day Today, if you ever happen to find yourself with a mouth gaping open and air going in through the wrong hole, perhaps you can playfully hear me say to you:

“Magic spot, buddy!”

Then we’ll smile together and celebrate our little win as we get our shine on.

Together.

One breath at a time.

TODAY.

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#1: Be So Good (and Energized and Awesome) They Can’t Ignore You (and a bunch of other little ideas) (#14) 0

Aug 17, 2020

This morning we take the quick look at the ol’ Oura score and briefly reflect on the imperfect nature of sleep (especially when your wife stops breastfeeding and you sleep in a family bed! lol) then hit a ton of little things I thought might be interesting—ranging from thoughts on my pre-inputs creative process and systems and wrapping up with Being So Good and Energized and Awesome That They Can’t Ignore Us but they can Feel Us and Adore Us!

Hope you enjoy and Happy Monday.

Let’s do this!!!

-bri

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#1: Driven? Let's harness that drive!! (Here are some thoughts on how...) (#13) 0

Aug 16, 2020

This morning (after the 1-2-3!) I spent a few minutes going through the 100+ PhilosophersNotes on which I'll be doing PNTVs soon (YEEHAH!) and then got to work on my PN on Driven by Doug Brackmann. Here are some thoughts on Optimizing in general (Measure! Consistency!) and also on how to harness our drives in particular.

Hope you enjoy. Let's do this. TODAY!

-bri

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#1: A master in the art of living... (#12) 0

Aug 15, 2020

Quick one this morning. 1-2-3, PNTVs are coming back—in black and white! lol—and this gem: “A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labour and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself he always seems to be doing both. Enough for him that he does it well.” ~ Lawrence Pearsall Jacks

Hope you enjoy and here’s to dissolving the apparent dichotomies between our work and our play! TODAY!

-bri

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#1: Did you know… Loneliness = 15 cigarettes?! Let’s Optimize TOGETHER! (#11) 0

Aug 14, 2020

This morning I did the normal 1-2-3 (x2) and celebrated completing the Mastery Series. Then I got to work on reading a book called “Together.” It’s by Vivek Murthy, who was the 19th Surgeon General of the United States. It’s AMAZING. I share a few of my favorite ideas from chapter #1 and also give a little behind-the-scenes look at how I read a book, mark it all up and get ready for a PhilosophersNote.

Hope you enjoy and let’s make sure we write that social prescription TODAY!

Love and high fives,

-bri

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#1: Ever heard of "The Audience Effect"? (Eyeballs = enhanced performance!!) (#10) 0

Aug 13, 2020

Today I had fun hammering out the Introduction Module for the Mastery Series. Fired up. Done!! YES!! I also filmed this #1 on the fascinating Audience Effect and another test. 9 hours in bed for 8 hours of sleep for the win!! :)

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#1: Feeling a little less than awesome? Use the data!! (Here's how I am...) (#9) 0

Aug 12, 2020

This morning I ran a little experiment and got out of bed a little earlier than I normally do. It’s always fascinating to see the data from experiments and use it to get a little better! In this case: I really like 8 hours of sleep so, note to self: Be in bed for 9 hours and get that little extra bonus kick of REM, yo!

Hope you enjoy and here’s to crushing the fundamentals and making Today and awesome day!

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#1: APPLY THIS! APPLY THIS! APPLY THIS!! (Aka: Practice your philosophy!) (#8) 0

Aug 11, 2020

Today we’re going to take a quick look at THE Ultimate Algorithm for Optimizing. But, first, we drool over Alexandra’s RIDICULOUSLY awesome Oura #s. lol. Then we have fun with some wisdom from two Phils: My Coach, Phil Stutz, and NBA great, Phil Jackson. Guess what? They both say the EXACT same thing about how to win the game of life.

As Phil Jackson puts it (in The Last Dance ← awesome): “You’re only a success in the moment you perform a successful act. You have to do it again.” ← And again. And again.

btw: THAT is what our Optimize Mastery Series is all about. Join us for Optimize Coach - Class III? Kicks off in less than 2 weeks!!! https://www.optimize.me/coach/

That is all. That and LET’S DO THIS! Today.

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#1: How to be Prosperous (Hint: Go forward with hope!!) (#7) 0

Aug 10, 2020

This morning I worked on the “Prospering” session for our Mastery Series (which is the foundation of our Optimize Coach program). After a 1-2-3 / 1+2+3! Breakfast of Champions (including savoring some *more* SEAL mojo), we move on to a quick overview of how to get your Prospering on—starting with the etymology lesson on the fact that the word “prosper” LITERALLY means “to go forward with hope.” The opposite isn’t “to be be poor” per se—unless we’re talking about “poor in spirit.” The opposite of “prosper” is “despair”--to be WITHOUT hope.

Then, of course, we talk about how to get our prospering on. Hope you enjoy and hope you have an awesome day!

More on Sleep at: https://www.optimize.me/sleep/
More on Coach at: https://www.optimize.me/coach/

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