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My Top 3 ANCIENT WISDOM Books of All Time (+ a Life-Changing Idea From Each!) 0

Oct 26, 2020

Here are my Top 3 ANCIENT WISDOM Books of All Time:

#1: The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
#2: Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus
#3: The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books in this video: https://youtu.be/eHMnL7MCMrs

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PNTV: You Are Special by Mister Rogers (#424) 0

Oct 25, 2020

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!)
Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from You Are Special by Fred Rogers. Hope you enjoy!

I got this book after watching the wonderful (!) documentary on Mister Rogers called Won’t You Be My Neighbor? It's a collection of wisdom gems from various sources-a quick-reading portal into Mister Rogers’ brain that has an amazingly calming, uplifting effect. (At least it did for me.) Simply reading his words seemed to elevate my consciousness and make me a kinder, more patient person. Big Ideas we explore include: Be the best at whatever you are, our #1 Job in life (hint: Encourage others!!), I Like You (just the way you are), being a living example, Mister Rogers' creativity (hello, torture!), perfect parents/kids? (nope!), and the gap (the essence of human creativity).

Get You Are Special on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140235140

Learn more about Fred Rogers: https://www.optimize.me/authors/fred-rogers/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: BE THE BEST YOU
- +1: Envy: The Ulcer of the Soul | Socrates Says (And Science Agrees) (#852) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/envy-the-ulcer-of-the-soul/
- +1: The Comparison Game | You Will Always Lose It (Here’s Why) (#855) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-comparison-game/
- +1: Sweeping Streets with Martin Luther King | Like Shakespeare, Beethoven and Michelangelo (#492) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sweeping-streets-with-martin-luther-king/

Big Idea 2: OUR JOB IN LIFE
- +1: Encourage | To Inspire with Hope, Courage and Confidence (#721) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/encourage/
- Admiral William McRaven → https://www.optimize.me/authors/admiral-william-h-mcraven/

Big Idea 3: “I LIKE YOU.”
- +1: I Like You | Just the Way You Are (#869) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/i-like-you/
- Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood in black and white → https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2r4wun

Big Idea 4: TORTURES
- Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Documentary) → https://www.focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor/

Big Idea 5: LIVING EXAMPLE
- PN: Your Life is Your Message by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/your-life-is-your-message-eknath-easwaran/
- +1: Gandhi and Sugar | And You and… _______________ (#408) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/gandhi-and-sugar/
- +1: There Are No Perfect People | And… Newsflash: You Will Not Be the First (#146) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/there-are-no-perfect-people/

► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL:
Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/

► MORE GOODNESS:
- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/
- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/
- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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PNTV: The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (#423) 0

Oct 22, 2020

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!)
Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Hope you enjoy!

Joseph Campbell was an American author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. If you’ve ever heard of the “Hero’s Journey,” you have him and his lifelong commitment to studying mythology to thank. This book (written in 1949) is the one that captures the essence of his thoughts on the “monomyth” that shows up across all cultures. One universal hero. A thousand faces. Big Ideas we explore include: a quick look at the hero’s journey, moving past the veil of the unknown (aka romancing your discomfort zone) while creating micro hero journeys (all day every day), your ultimate boon (don’t make King Midas’s mistake), the mistake that the makers of legend made (growth mindset, guys!!), and a portrait of the modern hero (look in the mirror!).

Get The Hero with a Thousand Faces on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Faces-Collected-Joseph-Campbell/dp/1577315936

Learn more about Joseph Campbell: https://www.optimize.me/authors/joseph-campbell/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: THE MONOMYTH
- Finding Joe documentary → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8nFACrLxr0
- +1: Hērōs | Building Strength for 2 (#107) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/heros/

Big Idea 2: THE THRESHOLD
- +1: Your Infinite Potential | And Where to Find It (#4) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-infinite-potential/
- David Goggins → https://www.optimize.me/authors/david-goggins/
- Marie Forleo → https://www.optimize.me/authors/marie-forleo/
- George Mumford → https://www.optimize.me/authors/george-mumford/
- PN: The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-rise-of-superman-steven-kotler/
- +1: Making the Impossible Possible | How to Make It What’s for Breakfast in X Tomorrows (#587) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/making-the-impossible-possible/
- Optimize Coach: Program Overview → https://optimize.me/coach-program/

Big Idea 3: THE BOON
- +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/

Big Idea 4: THE MAKERS OF LEGEND
- +1: How to Build Your Grit | The 4 Key Scientific Variables (#19) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-build-your-grit/
- PN: Grit by Angela Duckworth → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/grit-angela-duckworth/
- +1: What Shakespeare, Beethoven & Picasso Have in Common | Want to Create Something Great? Create a Ton. (#86) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/what-shakespeare-beethoven-picasso-have-in-common/

Big Idea 5: THE HERO = YOU
- +1: Optimize = Optimus | = The Best Version of You (#367) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/optimize-optimus/

► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL:
Get the PhilosophersNote on The World According to Mister Rogers and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/

► MORE GOODNESS:
- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/
- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/
- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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My Top 3 HABITS Books of All Time (+ a Life-Changing Idea From Each!) (#2) 0

Oct 19, 2020

Here are my Top 3 HABITS Books of All Time:

#1: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
#2: Atomic Habits by James Clear
#3: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

LISTEN for More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books!

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My Top 3 BEST Books of All Time (+ a Life-Changing Idea From Each!) 0

Oct 12, 2020

Here are my Top 3 BEST Books of All Time:

#1: The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels
#2: Deep Work by Cal Newport
#3: Happy Together by Suzie and James Pawelski

LISTEN for More on why + a Big-Idea from each of those books!

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+1: The Optimize Food Rules | The Big 3 (+1!) (#1285) 0

Oct 11, 2020

One of my favorite parts about creating our Optimize Mastery Series is that it forced me to go to the next level of clarity on the most important aspects of our Optimize philosophy.

This was true from Day 1 of the program and I found it to be especially powerful with our Eating Fundamental (which is day 200-something!) in which I integrated the wisdom from dozens of books and our Optimal Nutrition 101 and Optimal Metabolism 101 classes into what I called our Optimize Food Rules.

Of course, join Optimize Coach and check out that session for the full download.

Today we’re going to take a quick look at our Big 3 (+1!) Optimize Food Rules.

Here we go…

Rule #1: Quit Drinking Your Sugar.

This is inspired by a number of great teachers (including Robert Lustig in Fat Chance and John Ratey in Go Wild) but Mark Hyman brought the point home powerfully as his #1 rec in Food Fix.

Note: If you’re currently drinking sodas or fruit juices or any liquid with sugar, this is arguably THE fastest and easiest way to take your nutrition to the next level—and, as a by-product, take huge steps forward in Optimizing your metabolism (“Hi, insulin!”) so you can move to your optimal weight.

(Note: I just had a flashback of the Science Says data we collected. One of the highlights was how many Optimizers now feel they can easily follow their nutritional philosophy and maintain their Optimal weight.) (Check out the sketch on it below.)

So…

Are YOU drinking your sugar? If so, STOP!! (Hah. Seriously.)

Note: Soda is obviously not a health food but…

Parents: Fruit juice is NOT a health food either.

Rule #2: Eat Real Food and Throw Out the Factory Food.

In the Mastery Series session, we discuss the fact that we want to get rid of three different types of Factory Food including:

Factory-made ultraprocessed carbage with ingredients you can’t pronounce, don’t have in your pantry and didn’t evolve to consume;
Factory-farmed animals for ethical, health and environmental reasons; and,
Factory fat including vegetable oils like soybean, safflower, corn, and canola oils—none of which existed pre-Industrial revolution and all of which disrupt our Omega 3:6 ratios and create inflammation. (Note: Socrates was all about the olive oil—that’s been around for over 5,000 years!)

Quick check in: How are you doing there?

Rule #3: Eating Sunsets (Aka: Give Yourself the Night Off!)

Let your glymph get to work by restricting your eating to a window that gives you AT LEAST 13 hours between your last meal and first meal. We explore some fascinating research on cancer, etc.

As you know if you’ve been following along, we have a last-input “digital sunset.”

I say we need a last-input “eating sunset”!!

In fact, science says: We want to eat AT LEAST two hours before we go to bed and target FOUR hours before we go to bed if we’re playing the Professional Optimizing game. (It’s crazy for me to see the resting heart rate and heart rate variability data on my Oura ring show me the difference when I play in too short of an eating window!)

So…

When was your last meal last night? When was your first meal Today? How many hours were there in between?

Let’s get to 13+ and know that if you have a hard time going that long between meals, it’s probably because we need to work on some metabolic flexibility issues. See Rules #1 and #2 for support there.

And, finally, my favorite Rule…

Rule +1: Eat Like Your Favorite Philosopher (who lived at least 300 years ago).

Perhaps the simplest, wisest advice is to simply eat like your great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents ate before all the factories.

I like to tweak that a bit to have fun helping you channel your favorite philosopher or spiritual teacher—whether that’s Jesus or Mohammed or Moses or Buddha or Lao Tzu.

For me? It’s Epictetus.

Guess what? Our favorite old-school Philosophers didn’t (and couldn’t) drink their sugar because it didn’t exist. And all they could eat was non-factory produced food because factories didn’t exist yet. And they couldn’t eat all day every day because that wonderful invention we call the fridge didn’t exist.

There ya go.

The Optimize Food Rules in a nutshell.

Here’s to changing our lives (and our families’ lives) one bite at a time.

TODAY.

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Welcome to the Top 3 Books Series 0

Oct 11, 2020

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PNTV: Fearless by Eric Blehm (#419) 0

Oct 10, 2020

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!)
Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Fearless by Eric Blehm. Hope you enjoy!

I got this book after my friend, retired Navy SEAL Captain Bob Schoultz, recommended it to me. It’s ASTONISHINGLY good. As per the sub-title, this book is about "The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown." It's a humbling, inspiring story "of an American hero who bravely gave permission in his final written requests to share his journey, from small-town America to gutter to jail to Jesus to war to the top tier of the U.S. military: SEAL Team Six.”

Get Fearless on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Undaunted-Ultimate-Sacrifice-Operator/dp/0307730700

Learn more about Eric Blehm: https://www.optimize.me/authors/eric-blehm/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: THE BULLIES
- Captain Bob’s Book Notes → https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com/
- PNTV: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/cant-hurt-me-david-goggins/
- PNTV: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/discipline-equals-freedom-jocko-willink/
- PNTV: Staring Down the Wolf by Mark Divine → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/staring-down-the-wolf-mark-divine/
- PN: Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/make-your-bed-admiral-william-mcraven/
- +1: Begin With the End in Mind | Habit #2 of Highly Effective People (#219) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/begin-with-the-end-in-mind/

Big Idea 2: THE PRODIGAL SON
- PN: Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/discover-the-power-within-you-eric-butterworth/
- PN: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, OFM → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/falling-upward-richard-rohr-ofm/
- +1: We’re Only the Light Bulbs | Our Job Is to Remain Screwed In! (#1090) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/were-only-the-light-bulbs/

Big Idea 3: THE TRIDENT
- #1: TGIM!!! Let's goooo! Time to earn our Trident. TODAY! (#28) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX5zUZNvUD0

Big Idea 4: THE BEST
- Optimize Mastery Series Module O: Optimize = Optimus = Best = Eudaimon = Hero → https://www.optimize.me/mastery-modules/module-o-optimize-optimus-best-eudaimon-hero/
- +1: How to High Five God | And Plug Into Divine Power Today (#1279) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-high-five-god/

Big Idea 5: FALLEN HERO
- +1: OMMS | The Hero’s Mantra (#41) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/omms/
- +1: Hērōs | Building Strength for 2 (#107) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/heros/

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+1: How to Be a Success | Wisdom from Two World-Class Coaches Named Phil (#1280) 0

Oct 6, 2020

In our last +1, we drew some Venn circles with my Yoda and had fun high fiving God by giving ALL we’ve got.

Today I want to chat about what we talked about at the VERY end of our time together on August 10th, 2020.

After recapping the importance of showing up moment to moment to moment to keep my Soul Force powered by Divine Energy, Phil said—almost in a mantra-kinda way:

“APPLY THIS!!!”

It was one of those goosebumpy kinda moments.

I wrote it down in huge letters on the third page of that day’s notes and then said, “YES!!”

Then I said, “It’s funny because tomorrow morning I’m hitting the studio to film the very last session for our Mastery Series for our Coach program. It’s Module VII but we also call it Module Infinity (as in: Repeat this forever!). It’s called Optimus You: Practicing Your Philosophy. The whole point of that class? We need to APPLY THIS WISDOM to our lives TODAY!!”

So, I told him, “I’m DEFINITELY going to share our chat as I make the point.”

Then, he said, “I love you son. I’m proud of you.”

To which I replied, “I love you father. I appreciate you.”

(As we’ve discussed, Phil is my spiritual Godfather. I’m his spiritual son. We end nearly every one of our chats with that. Enter: Pure joy.)

As I reflected on his mantra, “APPLY THIS!!” I felt an even deeper commitment to making him proud and serving you and my family as profoundly as I can.

That was 5:50 PM Central Time.

I had 10 minutes to go before I transitioned to Deep Love time and gave Alexandra some time for herself while I enjoyed my PM session of 1-on-2 time with the kids.

Now, I don’t do non-essential technology inputs these days as I’ve -1 to +1-ed it for the +3 win (which is one of the reasons I’m crushing it). So, I hopped on our PEMF machine and plugged in the NanoVi thing to recover while meditating.

At 6:00, I headed out of the office. The house was quiet. (Which, if you have kids, you know is VERY unusual. lol)

Hmmm…

The car wasn’t there. Alexandra must have taken the kids out.

So…

I might have dashed back to the office, hopped back on the PEMF/re-plugged in the NanoVi and had a little dessert watching some more of Netflix’s great documentary on Michael Jordan and his Bulls called The Last Dance. (Highly recommend it.)

Now…

At this point, I’m on Episode V. The Bulls have just won their first championship. They’re going for their second.

I wait for the show to load. It takes a second or three as I’m on satellite internet here in the country—which always gives me a moment to reflect on the fact that this whole thing we call the internet (and everything else in modern life) is an absolute miracle.

Internal dialogue: “Thank you, God, for blessing me with the gift of so many awesome things.”

Then…

It loads.

I’m TEN SECONDS in. Phil Jackson, one of the greatest Coaches in history (who won 6 titles with the Bulls then another 5 with the Lakers), comes on.

You know what he says?

He says, and I quote: “You’re only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again.”

Did he just say what I think he said? I hit the little rewind 10 seconds thing to watch it again.

Yep.

“You’re only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again.”

I rewind it again and go get my pad of paper to write that down because I KNEW I’d be kicking off my final Mastery Series session with wisdom from two world-class Coaches named Phil.

Note: Phil Jackson has his 11 championships. Phil Stutz and his clients (who tend to be Hollywood actors and writers and directors and executives) have WAY more than 11 Oscars.

So, when two Coaches named Phil say the same thing back-to-back like that, I take it as a Divine wink from the Universe.

And, well, that’s Today’s +1.

One more time: “You’re only a success in the MOMENT you perform a successful act. You have to do it again.”

All the stuff we chat about that REALLY resonates?

APPLY THIS!!!

When?

As always…

TODAY.

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PNTV: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink (#417) 0

Oct 5, 2020

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!)
Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink. Hope you enjoy!

Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL. He was commander of Task Unit Bruiser―the most decorated Special Operations Unit of the Iraq War. I really enjoyed Jocko’s first book Extreme Ownership and I knew this one would be good but... I didn’t expect it to be THIS good. The words literally explode off the page. Not just because each micro-chapter was an incredibly inspiring micro-manifesto but because each word was written by a man so clearly living in complete integrity with his deepest values. John Maxwell would say his “moral authority” is extraordinary. I’d say his SOUL FORCE is palpable. If you’re in the mood for a soul-rattling call-to-disciplined action, I think you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did.

Get Discipline Equals Freedom on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Equals-Freedom-Field-Manual/dp/1250156947

Learn more about Jocko Willink: https://www.optimize.me/authors/jocko-willink/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: HERCULES
- PN: Gandhi the Man by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/gandhi-the-man-eknath-easwaran/
- PN: The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-bhagavad-gita-krishna-eknath-easwaran/
- PN: The Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-dhammapada-eknath-easwaran/
- +1: Demons vs. Daimons | What to Feed Them (#919) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/demons-vs-daimons/
- +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/

Big Idea 2: NATURE VS. NURTURE | NEITHER
- Documentary on Michael Jordan: The Last Dance → https://www.netflix.com/title/80203144
- +1: How to Build Your Grit | The 4 Key Scientific Variables (#19) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-build-your-grit/
- Documentary on Usain Bolt: I Am Bolt → https://www.netflix.com/title/80135360

Big Idea 3: “GOOD.”
- +1: OMMS | The Hero’s Mantra (#41) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/omms/
- +1: The Obstacle Is the Way | Plus: The Paradox of Fire (#61) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-obstacle-is-the-way/
- +1: It Is What It Is | The Power of Loving What Is (#409) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/it-is-what-it-is/
- +1: Neutral Thinking | vs. Positive and Negative Thinking (#1259) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/neutral-thinking/

Big Idea 4: SUGAR
- PN: The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-case-against-sugar-gary-taubes/
- Willpower 101 → http://optimize.me/willpower

Big Idea 5: DO
- Phil Stutz → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-tools-barry-michels-phil-stutz/

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#1: Optimize Press + Buy 1, Get 1 + (#57) 0

Sep 30, 2020

Quick creative update Today. Good times at Optimize!

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#1: Optimizing Soul Force (via E x F x WIN + Emerson's virtue art + Top 3 coming soon + ...) (#56) 0

Sep 29, 2020

#1: Today I kinda go off on a ton of stuff: From HRV/RHR ice-bath spikes to Soul Force and Deep Work and the Handbook. Hope you enjoy. Let’s do this. Together. TODAY.

As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

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PNTV: Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth (#415) 0

Sep 29, 2020

Optimize: https://optimize.me/ (← Get Free Stuff + Free 2-Week Trial!)
Optimize Coach: https://optimize.me/coach (← Join 2,000+ Optimizers from 70+ Countries!)

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth. Hope you enjoy!

Eric Butterworth was a prolific author and Unity minister—one of the great spiritual teachers of the 20th century. We featured another one of his books called Spiritual Economics. That one transformed my consciousness around money/ambition/etc. (I *highly* recommend it.) Butterworth was also Maya Angelou's spiritual teacher. And, Oprah says that this book is one of her all-time favorites. Big Ideas we explore: Where to find the Divine (hint: look within!), the great decision, the true meaning of “meek” (it's not what you think), going the second mile, and how to create a heaven (or hell) right NOW!

Get Discover the Power Within You on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Power-Within-You-Unexplored/dp/0061723797

Learn more about Eric Butterworth: https://www.optimize.me/authors/eric-butterworth/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: WHERE’S THE DIVINE?
- +1: Spiritual Economics | Your New Wealth Vocabulary (#349) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/spiritual-economics/
- +1: How to Live with Radiant Enthusiasm | Hint: Create a Nice Home for God (#556) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-live-with-radiant-enthusiasm/
- +1: How to High Five Your Inner Daimon | My Philosophy in One Word (#3) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/how-to-high-five-your-inner-daimon/
- +1: The Golden You | Just Chip Away at the (Not-so) Bonus Layer (#553) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-golden-you/
- +1: The Golden Buddha: Part II | The Historical Reality + The Parable (#603) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-golden-buddha-part-ii/

Big Idea 2: THE GREAT DECISION
- +1: Eudaimonism vs. Hedonism | Don’t Want to Be Depressed? Science Says… (#1166) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/eudaimonism-vs-hedonism/
- +1: Lightbulbs in the Temple of God | Less Graffiti, More Shining (#887) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/lightbulbs-in-the-temple-of-god/
- +1: My New Energy Identity | A Screwed-In Light Bulb (#1091) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/my-new-energy-identity/

Big Idea 3: PRAEIS = _______
- +1: Jesus Said: Who Shall Inherit the Earth? | Was It the “Meek” or the “Disciplined”/”Tamed”? (#438) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/jesus-said-who-shall-inherit-the-earth/

Big Idea 4: THE 2ND MILE
- Going the Second Mile | Jesus Says: It's the Way to Roll (#431) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/going-the-second-mile/

Big Idea 5: HEAVEN + HELL
- +1: Demons vs. Daimons | What to Feed Them (#919) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/demons-vs-daimons/

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#1: Quick Monday afternoon edition: Thanks for the Handbook love! (#55) 0

Sep 28, 2020

Thanks for all your Handbook love! Here's the Optimize Handbook link I mention: https://optimizehq.typeform.com/to/sFx8AlU1

Quick edition as it's time for shutdown complete/meditation and Deep Love!! LOVE!!

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#1: Project: Strength for 2 + Handbook + Nextcitement + ... (#54) 0

Sep 27, 2020

In this Sunday edition, we talk about doubling my basic training protocol (it's the 200 burpees and 20k steps a day that provide the best challenge!) and some iterative creative progress on the book.

As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

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#1: Tour: Outdoor office: "Before" view (#53) 0

Sep 26, 2020

Weekend edition: Today we take a quick trip to the back of the property for a "Before" look at what (Deo Volente) will soon be an awesome outdoor office. Fun. :)

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PNTV: Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo (#414) 0

Sep 26, 2020

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Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. Hope you enjoy!

My wife Alexandra has been a huge fan of Marie’s for a long time. I knew she was awesome. But... As I told Alexandra: “I had no idea Marie was THAT awesome!!!” My excuse: I’ve been in hermit-mode and have done nothing but read books for 5 years (no blogs/videos/etc.) so I wasn’t able to get the full sense of Marie’s heroically brilliant and grounded and HILARIOUS power until this book came out. I’ve read and created PhilosophersNotes on well over 500 books. This is one of my ABSOLUTE (!) favorites of all time. I HIGHLY (!!!) recommend it. It’s in the same league as some of my other favorites like Deep Work Atomic Habits and The 5 Second Rule. (In fact, on my chalkboard right now, I actually have “EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE” right above “5-4-3-2-1-GO!” <- Winning combo!) The book is PACKED (!) with Big Ideas and I’m excited to share a few of my favorites so let’s jump straight in!

Get Everything Is Figureoutable on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Figureoutable-Marie-Forleo/dp/0525534997

Learn more about Marie Forleo: https://www.optimize.me/authors/marie-forleo/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: “THANKS, MOM!”
- PN: Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/everything-is-figureoutable-marie-forleo/

Big Idea 2: MAGIC OF BELIEF
- PN: The Relaxation Revolution by Herbert Benson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/the-relaxation-revolution-herbert-benson/
- +1: Your Identity = ? | Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can’t… (#654) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-identity/
- "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” ~Seneca → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/seneca/19068-it-is-not-because-things-are-difficult-t/
- PN: Letters from a Stoic by Seneca → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/letters-from-a-stoic-seneca/

Big Idea 3: 42% (!!!)
- Optimize Interview: Stillness is the Key with Ryan Holiday → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8GZMsKklPA
- +1: Spiritual Windshield Wipers | Eudaimonia, Journaling, and the Science of Writing Down Our Goals (#993) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/spiritual-windshield-wipers/
- +1: Hedonic Eudaimonia | A Close Relative of Flow Junkies (#908) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/hedonic-eudaimonia/
- How to Journal Carpe Diem Style! → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMOrHcrGWU&t=4s

Big Idea 4: 4-LETTER WORD
- +1: Can’t vs. Won’t | Two Four-Letter Words (#986) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cant-vs-wont/
- +1: Fail Alchemized to FAIL | Fail = Faithful Attempts In Learning! (#988) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/fail-alchemized-to-fail/
- +1: The Growth Mindset | Jordan, Picasso and You (#622) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-growth-mindset/
- +1: Mistakes? They’re Just Mis-takes | You As the Director of Your Life (#59)
- PN: Mindset by Carol Dweck → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/mindset-carol-dweck/
- +1: Mistake-Learner’s High | Enjoy It as You Pursue Audacious Goals and Endlessly Evolve (#370) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/mistake-learners-high/

Big Idea 5: GROWTH ZONE
- +1: Your Infinite Potential | And Where to Find It (#4) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-infinite-potential/

► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL:
Get the PhilosophersNote on Everything Is Figureoutable and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/

► MORE GOODNESS:
- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/
- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/
- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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#1: Stepping into the (re-)new(ed) identity: Philosopher + CEO + Handbook WINs +... (#52) 0

Sep 25, 2020

Today we have fun with my (re-)new(ed) identity: Philosopher + CEO and some Handbook +1s. As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

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#1: Good bad nights via sleep algorithms (+ v1 OPTIMIZE Handbook cover!) #51 0

Sep 24, 2020

Today we take a sneak peek at v1 of the OPTIMIZE Handbook cover and look at some Oura data on a good bad night saved by an algorithm! As always: Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

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#1: Target Practice with Apollo and Handbook scaffolding project COMPLETE! (Yay!) (#50) 0

Sep 23, 2020

Today we chat about missing the ol' mark on the 3:00 last-input target. And simply recommitting. And... Finished Phase I of the Handbook construction process. Scaffolding is in place. Fired up. (Just noticed this is #50. Time flies when you're having fun!) As always:

Get instant (free) access to all 600+ PhilosophersNotes AND all 50 Optimal Living 101 classes AND 1,000+ Optimize +1s as part of our free 2-week trial: http://optimize.me/

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#1: 101 days left in 2020 = LET'S GOOOOO! (What're your wildly important targets?) (#48) 0

Sep 22, 2020

Did you know there are 101 days left in 2020. Yep. Time to finish strong. I share a little on how I'm going to do that with the Handbook, etc. How about YOU?

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#1: Drucker + Pressfield on creativity (aka showing up & doing the work) (#49) 0

Sep 22, 2020

Afternoon edition of our #1 post 6 hours of DEEP Work on the Handbook. We chat about some creative systems and do the quick Oura review.

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PNTV: The Healthy Deviant by Pilar Gerasimo (#412) 0

Sep 22, 2020

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Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from The Healthy Deviant by Pilar Gerasimo. Hope you enjoy!

I’ve been eagerly awaiting for my dear friend Pilar Gerasimo to write a book that captures her wisdom on how to Optimize our lives and give the world all we’ve got. And... The wait is over! Pilar is one of the wisest people I know. Among many other things, she created Experience Life magazine (which currently reaches over 3 million people per year) and is the co-host of the Living Experiment podcast with Dallas Hartwig (co-founder of Whole30). The lead quote for this book perfectly captures the thesis of the book. It’s from Jiddu Krishnamurti. He tells us: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Yep. That’s about right. In a society in which the VAST majority of us are sick and tired and anxious and depressed and, well, blah... IT IS NO MEASURE OF HEALTH TO BE WELL ADJUSTED TO THAT SICK SOCIETY. (Right?) Enter: The Healthy Deviant. This “Rule Breaker’s Guide" is packed with Big Ideas on how we can "Be Healthy in an Unhealthy World.”

Get The Healthy Deviant on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Deviant-Breakers-Guide-Unhealthy/dp/1623174252

Learn more about Pilar Gerasimo: https://www.optimize.me/authors/pilar-gerasimo/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: THE UDR
- The Living Experiment Podcast Interview (49s) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWTNyW_bTQ
- “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” ~Jiddu Krishnamurti → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/1335215-it-is-no-measure-of-health-to-be-well-adjusted/

Big Idea 2: HEALTHY DEVIANCE
- “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” ~Mark Twain → https://www.optimize.me/quotes/mark-twain/20637-whenever-you-find-yourself-on-the-side-o/
- PN: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/self-reliance-ralph-waldo-emerson/
- +1: The Choice of Hercules | Vice Dressed up as Virtue (#1036) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-choice-of-hercules/
- Conquering Cancer 101 + 102 → https://Optimize.me/cancer
- PN: Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath → https://www.optimize.me/philosophers-notes/eat-move-sleep-tom-rath/
- +1: The Invisible Gorilla | And the Spotlight of Your Attention (#859) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-invisible-gorilla/

Big Idea 3: RENEGADE RITUALS
- +1: AM + PM Bookends | How to Create Masterpiece Days: Start Here! (#78) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/am-pm-bookends/
- +1: Micradian Rhythms | The Rhythms of Life: Circadian + Ultradian + Micradian (#283) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/micradian-rhythms/
- +1: Digital Sunset | Bedtime for Your Electronics (#152) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/digital-sunset/
- +1: Cortisol and Melatonin | Teeter Totter Buddies (#1173) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cortisol-and-melatonin/
- +1: PM Counts Twice | PM → AM + DAY + PM = #carpediem (#1007) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/pm-counts-twice/
- Energy 101 → https://www.optimize.me/master-class/energy-101/

Big Idea 4: DITCH YOUR DIET
- +1: Don’t Drink Sugar | “The Single-Biggest Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Health” (#1247) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-drink-sugar/
- Optimal Weight 101 → https://www.optimize.me/master-class/optimal-weight-101/

Big Idea 5: SOMETHING WRONG
- +1: Make the Connection | What’s Working? What Needs Work? (#374) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/make-the-connection/
- Learn more about Pilar and her work at https://TheHealthyDeviant.com/
- Learn more about The Living Experiment Podcast at https://livingexperiment.com/

► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL:
Get the PhilosophersNote on Everything Is Figureoutable and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/

► MORE GOODNESS:
- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/
- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/
- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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+1: Want to Be the Best? | Godin Says: You Really Can’t Try to Do Everything (#1265) 0

Sep 21, 2020

In our last +1, we got our inner Freak on as we spent some time with Dav!d Rendall and learned to embrace constraints as we reminded ourselves to approach this whole game of life as Optimalists rather than Perfectionists—using our ideals as GUIDING STARS not distant shores.

We explored the value of constraints on a high level.

I promised to talk about the idea in a little more detail in terms of choosing what we want to do with our lives AND in the day-to-day of actually making things happen.

So…

Dav!d kicks off the chapter on the power of limiting our options with a quote from Seth Godin who tells us: “You really can’t try to do everything, especially if you intend to be the best in the world.”

Amen.

And, as I read this chapter I thought of chats I had back in the day with Steve Chandler when he and I worked 1-on-1.

He loved Alan Watts’s wisdom that tennis is more fun with a court (constraints!) and Igor Stravinsky’s wisdom that “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees oneself. And the arbitrariness of the constraint serves only to obtain precision in the execution.”

As I searched the ol’ database of 600+ Notes on my Mac to find that Stravinsky quote, I found this parallel wisdom from Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist.

He tells us: “In this age of information abundance and overload, those who get ahead will be the folks who figure out what to leave out, so they can concentrate on what’s really important to them. Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities.

The idea that you can do anything is absolutely terrifying. The way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself. It seems contradictory, but when it comes to creative work, limitations mean freedom... The right constraints can lead to your very best work. My favorite example? Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat with only 236 different words, so his editor bet him he couldn’t write a book with only 50 different words. Dr. Seuss came back and won the bet with Green Eggs and Ham, one of the bestselling children’s books of all time.”

(btw: As I reread that, I thought of our Note on the brilliant biography Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel where we talk about those exact same constraints. Check it out!)

As I chat about in our Notes on Steal Like an Artist, I LOVE constraints.

They are my friend (when I remember them).

Obvious constraints I use creatively include: Each PhilosophersNote is SIX pages long. Not 3 or 8 or 12 or... SIX.

The +1s are short and sweet not crazy long. (Except for the rare +11. lol)

The Optimal Living 101 classes and Mastery Series sessions? They’re each 10 Ideas and around an hour. Not 3 or 7 or 14 or 22. TEN! (Hah.)

Today’s +1.

Back to YOU.

What limitations can you impose on yourself?

How can you CONSTRAIN your options more so you can enjoy your life more?

Remember the Paradox of Choice. And The Illusion of Choice.

Simplify. Go all in. On being your best.

TODAY.

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PNTV: Food Fix by Mark Hyman, MD (#411) 0

Sep 21, 2020

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Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from Food Fix by Mark Hyman, MD. Hope you enjoy!

Mark Hyman, MD, is head of strategy for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and board president for the Institute for Functional Medicine. He is also the bestselling author of a number of books, including Eat Fat, Get Thin. This is a very important and equally sobering book. As Mark says: "If we were to identify one big lever to pull to improve global health, create economic abundance, reduce social injustice and mental illness, restore environmental health, and reverse climate change, it would be transforming our entire food system. That is the most important work of our time—work that must begin now.” In the Note we take a quick look at the dysfunction of the food system and how to fix it while talking about the #1 thing YOU can do TODAY to address it. We also chat about the fact that your food label may be lying to you, the ENORMOUS amount of money the junk food industry spends on junk science (think: $12 BILLION) and the social justice issues of food.

Get Food Fix on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Fix-Economy-Communities-Planet-One/dp/031645317X

Learn more about Mark Hyman, MD: https://www.optimize.me/authors/mark-hyman/

► RELATED RESOURCES:
Big Idea 1: THE BROKEN SYSTEM
- Mark Hyman → https://www.optimize.me/authors/mark-hyman/

Big Idea 2: #1 FIX = RULE #1
- +1: Don’t Drink Sugar | “The Single-Biggest Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Health” (#1247) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/dont-drink-sugar/
- +1: Cancer Candy (Aka Sugar) | And All It’s Secret Identities (#1177) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cancer-candy-aka-sugar/
+1: The Case Against Sugar | Is Very Strong (#685) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/the-case-against-sugar/

Big Idea 3: LYING LABELS
- +1: Your Food Label | Is It Lying to You? (#1244) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/your-food-label/

Big Idea 4: JUNK SCIENCE
- +1: Junk Food’s Junk Science | Did You Know…? (#1245) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/junk-foods-junk-science/
- +1: Sugar Math | It Adds Up. Fast! (#1178) → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/sugar-math/
- Optimal Weight 101 | How to Optimize our Metabolism to Easily Sculpt our Ideal Bodies while Energizing to Actualize → https://www.optimize.me/weight/

Big Idea 5: FOOD Rx
- +1: Cancer’s Roots & Leaves | Modern Medicine: Strengths + Weaknesses → https://www.optimize.me/plus-one/cancers-roots-and-leaves/
- Tom Rath → https://www.optimize.me/authors/tom-rath/

► FREE 14-DAY TRIAL:
Get the PhilosophersNote on Food Fix and 600+ other books by starting a Free 14-Day trial membership to Optimize: https://www.optimize.me/trial/

► MORE GOODNESS:
- Get the Optimize App for iPhone & iPad: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Get the Optimize App for Android: https://www.optimize.me/apps/
- Subscribe to the Optimize Podcast: https://optimize.me/podcast/
- Follow Optimize on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriantheOptimizer/
- Follow Optimize on Instagram: https://instagram.com/optimize.me/

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