Episode 247: Benjamin Hardy – The Best Self Improvement Book Of 2018

Since 2015, Benjamin Hardy has been the #1 writer on Medium.com.  He is pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Clemson University.  Ben’s writing focuses on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. His writing is fueled by his personal experiences, self-directed education, and formal education.  Ben’s work is read by millions of people every month.  He and his wife, Lauren, are the foster parents of three children.

Episode 247: Benjamin Hardy – The Best Self Improvement Book Of 2018

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The Learning Leader Show

“How you view yourself is not permanent.  Start to alter your behavior, you start seeing yourself differently…”

Show Notes:

  • Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
    • They continually put themselves in situations that demand a lot of them.  They put themselves in high stakes situations
    • They invest in themself
    • They create conditions for success to happen
    • Pianist John Burke (Grammy nominated)
      • He puts external pressure on himself (“I will release an album a year”).  It forces him to get to work to fulfill those expectations he puts on himself
      • Being socially invested is a forcing function
  • Why you should invest 10% of your income in your self
  • The best self improvement book Ben has ever read? Letting Go
  • “Willpower doesn’t work.”  You must create the environment to be successful — Upgrade your mindset
  • Self signaling – How you view yourself is not permanent.  Start to alter your behavior, you start seeing yourself differently
  • You can shape your personality
  • How to upgrade yourself? — “When you invest money, you are committed”
  • Why all high performers invest in a coach
  • Peak moments — how to change your life for the better
  • Cal Newport – “Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You”
  • Investing in relationships (Jeff Goins and Ryan Holiday)
  • How to build a platform
    • Learn marketing
      • Learn how to write viral headlines (Use numbers, matching, focused on outcomes)
      • Want To Become A Multi-Millionaire? Do These 15 Things Immediately
    • Understand structure – subheadings, short/snappy sentences and paragraphs
      • Have a call to action at the end
      • Create a landing page for email capture
  • What is great writing?
    • Be a good teacher: Communicate effectively.  Convey & connect. Weave stories in and out: Story –> Science –> Story –> Science –> Story –> Science
    • Head knowledge:  Know your space.
    • Have heart:  Emotional rigor, intense stories
  • How to become a master of your craft
  • Your decisions determine your destiny
  • Visualize the process, not just the outcome
    • Create environments for optimal implementation
    • Pre plan for adversity to strike and how you will respond
  • Morning routine:
    • Write in journal –> “Write it down, make it happen” –> Read –> Work out.  Create momentum for yourself.

“Willpower doesn’t work.  You must create the environment for success to be achieved.”

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