In all affairs, it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
~ Bertrand Russell
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Author: Craig Constantine
Freedom in every moment
One of the great discoveries of my life is that this freedom is always available to us. In any moment.
~ Leo Babauta from, Find Freedom in Any Moment – Zen Habits Website
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I’ve said many times that all of my problems come from me. The flip-side to that of course is that my freedom is available to me at any moment.
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Sight
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
~ Henry David Thoreau
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Eureka
But this moment cannot come without the days of frustration at the blackboard. “You can’t really blame the storytellers,” Rockmore writes, “It’s not so exciting to read ‘and then she studied some more.’ But this arduous, mundane work is a key part of the process.”
~ Cal Newport from, On the Myth of Big Ideas – Cal Newport
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And Niels Bohr said something similar about Painful experience. And I bet your experience agrees. I know mine does.
Nobody sees how much time I spend working on podcasting. Every facet is complicated. I’m regularly noticing new things, picking up interesting skills and ideas from nearby areas of expertise. Structural wisdom from the field of authors. Empathic skills from the field of therapists. New kinds of questions from the field of hosts. New vocal skills from the field of speakers. And teachers and mechanics and on and on.
The eureka moments get the attention but they’re very few and very far between.
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Cynicism
Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.
~ George S. Patton
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Difficult questions
What would be a good question to ask? How do I evaluate a potential question, in real time during a conversation, to decide if it’s good? What can I do to make this guest enjoy this conversation? In the same vein: What should I do? And what, if anything, must I do? What does this person really want to talk about? What don’t they want to talk about? And if I figured that out, is the right thing to, to honor their desire to avoid it, or to help them face it? Can I help them more by letting them find their own energy level, or by trying to help them change their energy level? Would calming down enable them to communicate more effectively? Would riling them up help them work through their feelings? Should we explore how they are feeling, or how this event we’re discussing made them feel? Should I be more open, and share more with them? Or would my consuming our time doing that, block them from doing what they need to do, or from saying what they need to say? Should we be having more fun? Should we be more serious? Should we instead do the opposite, (make light of a serious subject, or vice versa,) of that society would normally expect? Should I ask them a deep question? Should I ask a question on the same line-of-thought and take us even deeper? Deeper a third time? Or should I pivot to indicate that I want to follow them, not drive them into a corner?
What’s that? …oh, you thought I was going to be talking about the actual questions one might ask another person. Yeah no that’s another question altogether. :)
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Questions with Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez
How does exploring one’s center and asking questions influence personal growth and understanding?
Asking the right questions transforms challenges into opportunities for growth.
I think that a way to find creativity and inspiration is, try to read something, try to see something that is not what you usually see, that is not what you usually do. Make yourself feel uncomfortable, and make yourself feel comfortable in the uncomfortable.
~ Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez (2:30)
The discussion explores the concept of finding one’s center and how this aligns with personal growth. Sebastián emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones to spark creativity and curiosity. He shares insights on seeking inspiration through diverse experiences, such as books, podcasts, and challenging unfamiliar activities.
The conversation also touches on the importance of asking meaningful questions, both of oneself and others, to uncover purpose and direction. Philosophical principles, movement practices, and mindfulness techniques are interwoven to illustrate how individuals can align their actions with deeper values. Practical lessons, like maintaining good technique in physical training, underscore the need for balance and awareness.
Takeaways
Finding inspiration — Engage with unfamiliar or challenging ideas to spark creativity.
The importance of questions — Use questions to challenge assumptions and uncover deeper understanding.
Solid foundations — Build strong roots and bases to support sustainable growth.
Teaching through challenges — Encourage self-discovery by posing questions and fostering problem-solving.
Movement as a center — Align physical and mental practices with a central guiding principle.
Mindfulness in action — Maintain awareness by centering thoughts and actions in everyday life.
Avoiding injury — Prioritize proper technique and self-awareness to prevent harm.
Philosophical connections — Relate ideas from philosophy to practical life applications.
Resources
Simon Sinek — Author of “Start With Why” and creator of the Golden Circle framework, emphasizing the importance of purpose in personal and professional contexts.
Start With Why — A book by Simon Sinek that discusses the power of understanding “why” to drive inspiration and success.
Peace Revolution — A meditation project by a Buddhist foundation in Thailand, promoting inner peace as a foundation for sustainable world peace.
Rise of the Guardians — An animated film by DreamWorks that explores themes of purpose and identity through characters like Santa Claus and Jack Frost.
CrossFit — A functional fitness training program combining strength and conditioning, emphasizing holistic body movement.
Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez on LinkedIn
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Empathy with Scott Perry
How can individuals harness empathy, creativity, and purpose to achieve personal fulfillment and make meaningful contributions to others?
Empathy becomes a transformative practice when it evolves from effort into compassionate action.
Empathy is really hard. It requires a lot of effort to put your—to see, hear, and understand someone for where they are.
~ Scott Perry (9:33)
The conversation explores how authentic, engaging conversations can foster personal clarity, growth, and meaningful connections. It highlights the value of leveraging creativity and podcasting as tools for understanding oneself and one’s purpose. Insights from Akimbo courses and personal experiences underscore the importance of community and serendipity in learning.
Empathy and its connection to compassion are central themes, with a detailed discussion on how understanding others can lead to actionable support. Stoicism emerges as a guiding philosophy, offering practical wisdom for navigating life with intention and resilience. Gratitude and generosity are emphasized as foundational practices for improving one’s mindset and relationships.
Takeaways
Conversations as way-finding tools — Engaging with others can help clarify personal goals and purpose.
Empathy and compassion — Empathy requires effort, but it can lead to actionable compassion that benefits all involved.
Gratitude practices — Simple acts of daily gratitude can enhance mood and perspective.
The value of a compass — Instead of following predefined paths, individuals should develop their own compass to navigate life.
Stoicism as guidance — Stoicism provides actionable principles for resilience and intentional living.
Creative endeavors — Sharing one’s creativity through podcasting and blogging supports personal exploration and connection.
Learning through community — Collaborating within a community accelerates learning and idea refinement.
Resources
Creative on Purpose — Scott Perry’s platform for helping individuals find purpose and fulfillment.
Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations — A stoic guide for living with intention and integrity.
altMBA — A workshop designed to foster leadership and personal growth.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Perspective with Chris Grant
What lessons and insights can be drawn from personal experiences in Parkour and community development?
Exploring how personal growth intertwines with professional experiences in Parkour and community development.
Getting things out there, 85, 90% done, and then there maybe being a few little fixes you do, is actually harmless compared to making people wait or never getting to the end of a project.
~ Chris Grant (15:49)
The conversation explores the evolution of roles and responsibilities within the Parkour community. Chris discusses his transition from being a coach to a development manager at Parkour UK, emphasizing the value of building systems that support practitioners. He reflects on how stepping back from Parkour full-time provided him with a broader perspective and transferable skills, which he now applies to help others in the community.
The discussion also touches on practical advice for those navigating entrepreneurial endeavors in niche fields. Topics include the importance of financial stability, embracing imperfection in projects, and the benefits of setting boundaries to avoid burnout. Chris highlights the need for humility and openness to new learning opportunities, even after years of experience in a field.
Takeaways
Financial stability — A foundational element that enables greater flexibility and decision-making power.
Adaptability — Skills learned outside a primary field often enhance one’s ability to contribute meaningfully.
Perfectionism — Often a barrier to progress, where action is more valuable than ideal outcomes.
Community support — Building systems that ease the workload of active practitioners is vital for growth.
Perspective — Stepping away from a practice can offer valuable insights when re-engaging with it later.
Boundaries — Setting limits on work hours is crucial for maintaining personal well-being and professional effectiveness.
Continual learning — Embracing a mindset of humility and constant improvement enhances one’s impact.
Resources
Parkour UK — An organization focused on the development and promotion of Parkour in the UK.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Fail miserably
You may fail miserably, or you’re gonna break through it— you’re gonna learn something new about yourself, and you’re gonna develop a new skill out of necessity that you didn’t have at the beginning of the painting. So that’s what keeps me excited about making paintings, is because I couldn’t do the same thing over and over again. I have to manufacture some sort of potential failure there.
~ Jonny Hart
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Inevitable failure
It’s inevitable that you’re going to fail. If you’re not failing, then you’re definitely doing something wrong because you’re supposed to find your limits. There are parts of it that are going to suck the whole way along— that’s a perfect possibility, but you’re going to grow.
~ Adam McClellan
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Options
Life does not ask what we want. It presents us with options.
~ Thomas Sowell
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Restful
What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt—it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.
~ Hal Boyle
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Failure
I’ve recently begun the long project of looking through my past recordings. Only in the last month or so have I been keeping notes about the conversations as I record them, and I want to go back to day-one, (January 28, 2017,) and update my notes on who, when, where— but also the themes and ideas that were discussed. (I’m not listening to everything, just going through the scattered information I already have about the recordings.) Although it’s a lot of work, it’s rewarding to see so many things organized in one centralized system! These days, ideas and connections I find in the slipbox also point me to my specific conversations.
It’s inevitable that you’re going to fail. If you’re not failing, then you’re definitely doing something wrong because you’re supposed to find your limits. There are parts of it that are going to suck the whole way along— that’s a perfect possibility, but you’re going to grow.
~ Adam McClellan
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You may fail miserably, or you’re gonna break through it— you’re gonna learn something new about yourself, and you’re gonna develop a new skill out of necessity that you didn’t have at the beginning of the painting. So that’s what keeps me excited about making paintings, is because I couldn’t do the same thing over and over again. I have to manufacture some sort of potential failure there.
~ Jonny Hart
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Also: Delightful connections like the two quotes above fall into my lap along the way.
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Learning with Steven Low
How does one balance pursuing multiple creative and physical endeavors while maintaining long-term growth and curiosity?
Practical insights into climbing, gymnastics, and writing illuminate the shared themes of persistence and adaptability.
My real goal is to get people thinking about how to apply all these different kinds of steps to their own training or injuries or whatever they are working on and be able to do things for themselves.
~ Steven Low (15:59)
This conversation weaves through the journey of pursuing physical and creative challenges, reflecting on how to balance growth and curiosity over time. Topics range from the iterative process of writing deeply informative books to the physical and mental intricacies of climbing and gymnastics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and adapting methods based on personal experiences and new scientific insights.
Personal anecdotes highlight the interplay of curiosity, physical limitations, and the satisfaction derived from mastering difficult tasks. The conversation touches on teaching as a vehicle for personal fulfillment, drawing parallels between activities such as rock climbing and whitewater rafting in terms of their unique ability to offer new perspectives and foster resilience.
Takeaways
The process of iterative refinement — Decisions about revisiting or updating projects depend on scientific advancements and user needs.
The importance of problem-solving — Physical activities like climbing offer unique opportunities for analytical thinking and pushing limits.
Balancing multiple interests — Shifting focus to new projects can sustain long-term curiosity and motivation.
Encouraging independent learning — Teaching concepts rather than step-by-step instructions fosters autonomy and adaptability.
Practical application of concepts — Trial and error helps individuals tailor training approaches to their unique circumstances.
Avoiding repetitive monotony — Preference for varied and challenging activities highlights the value of engaging pursuits.
The role of curiosity in growth — Directed curiosity helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The appeal of outdoor activities — Activities like climbing and hiking combine physical effort with an appreciation for nature.
Adapting training methods — Personal experience and feedback guide modifications to improve outcomes.
The significance of goal-oriented training — Structured challenges provide satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
The interplay of teaching and learning — Effective teaching ignites curiosity and helps others become self-sufficient problem solvers.
Resources
Overcoming Gravity — Steven’s book focused on mastering gymnastics-inspired training.
Overcoming Poor Posture — Steven’s book addressing common posture problems and their solutions.
Steven Low’s Blog — Articles exploring fitness, health, and training methodologies.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Effective
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.
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Two people is magical
I often find things scattered about which make little connections appear in my mind. That’s literally what the word composition means when it’s used in the context of writing and literature; writing which composes something new from some number of other things already found. This little missive has been laying in the pile of such things for far too long… and so I’m putting up here to see where it leads us.
Way back in March of 2021 I listened to this podcast episode:
Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection with Marissa King from the Masters of Community podcast, March 22, 2021.
Around 46 minutes in David Spinks asks…
Marissa King: What she found is people consistently underestimated how much their partner was enjoying the conversation. So the short answer to this is you’re actually more likable than you think just the way you are.
David Spinks: That’s really interesting. What are the steps then? …for somebody to become a better conversationalist?
Marissa: Do they just have to become aware of that fact, and stop worrying about it so much? I think that’s part of it. And what I try to do throughout my book is actually to give people the tools of social science to allow them to apply this in their own life. […] So for instance, imagine you’re walking into a cocktail party. What we know, based on human interaction is when I walk in, I often will just see a wall of people. […] But we know that people actually don’t just form walls, that they tend to form small groups or clusters. The question becomes, which cluster do you go to? And people will have all sorts of different ways of choosing this. […] It turns out, that people are in these clusters, because of just the way that humans are built, that we have two eyes, and we have two ears, almost all conversation actually happens in dyads—groups of two. And because of this, if you look for an odd number group, whether it’s 1, 3, 5, 7… When you join that conversation, you’re giving someone else a conversational partner, and so you’re really creating balance. […] oftentimes if you apply this, or you imagine that you are one of these people who feel this aversion, or you feel like I don’t know how to do this, by applying these basic tools, it actually allows you to engage in these types of activities more comfortably.
(I did that transcription by hand and edited it all lightly for clarity.)
That show is all about communities. It’s intended for community builders, managers and moderators. A lot of its content is about health and wellness, as well as the more obvious topics of strategies and tactics for community building.
But this part of this episode really grabbed my attention from my “I record conversations with people” podcast creator point-of-view.
TWO PEOPLE
I’ve long believed that two is the perfect number of people in a podcast. Yes, there are exceptional instances of podcasts with the other numbers of people in them. But there’s magic in two.
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PS: In the above, that small idea about “composition”… that came from some other reading which I unpacked in, Thank you Miss Merrill.
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A simple recipe
Based on everything I’ve seen, a simple recipe can work: Focus on what’s in front of you, design great days to create a great life, and try not to make the same mistake twice. That’s it. Stop hitting net balls and try something else, perhaps even the opposite. If you really want extra credit, try not to be a dick, and you’ll be a Voltron-level superstar.
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The power broker
To paraphrase Jim [Loehr]: The power broker in your life is the voice that no one ever hears. How well you revisit the tone and content of your private voice is what determines the quality of your life. It is the master storyteller, and the stories we tell ourselves are our reality. For instance, how do you speak to yourself when you make a mistake that upsets you? Would you speak that way to a dear freind when they’ve made a mistake? If not, you have work to do. Trust me, we all have work to do.
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Smallest possible pieces
Excellence is the next five minutes, improvement is the next five minutes, happiness is the next five minutes. This doesn’t mean you ingore planning. I encourage you to make ambitious plans. Just rememeber that the big-beyond-belief things are accomplished when you deconstruct them into the smallest possible pieces and focus on each “moment of impact,” one step at a time.
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