Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning journalist. He is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, as well as the co-host of a podcast by the same name. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance and has appeared in over 100 publications. In addition, he has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes. In his latest book, The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer, which he calls “a practical playbook for impractical people,” he reveals the secret to his productivity: to lean into the challenge before you realize you’ve even done it.

Today, Steven joins me to expand on this principle. He discusses how stopping to think about the prospect of completing a task is the greatest obstacle to doing it. He talks about how beginning is the hardest part. He discusses curiosity, passion, and purpose, noting that with these most tasks don’t take more than twenty seconds of grit: the grit it takes to start. He mentions the three most important aspects of feedback on his writing, what defines a peak performer, and the importance of knowing where you’re going instead of just where you’re starting.

“Whenever the impossible becomes possible, there’s always a formula.”

“Flow follows focus.”

“If it goes on the clear goals list, that’s a promise to get it done.”

This week on The School For Good Living:

• Keeping your mission to yourself
• Doing it instead of talking about it
• The importance of integrity
• How five-minute breaks break your flow
• Knowing where you’re going
• Avoiding arrogance

Resources Mentioned:

• The Art of Impossible: a Peak Performance Primer
• goodliving.com

Connect with Steven:

• Book Website
• Personal Website

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