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Showing 151 tag results for “character”

All(151) +1s(40) PhilosophersNotes(9) Authors(9) Quotes(93)

+1s (40)

Make Your Bed
#1203

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And Maybe Change the World

In our last +1, we spent some more time with Admiral McRaven. He tells us: “At some point we will all confront a dark moment in life. If not the passing of a loved one, then something else that crushes your spirit and leaves you wondering about your future. In that dark moment, reach deep inside yo...

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+1 inspired by Note: Make Your Bed

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Confidence & Masterpiece Days

Agency Character confidence Discipline masterpiece-days Mental Toughness SEAL Work

#1203

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Cover It All in Leather
#1150

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Or… Just Wrap Leather Around Your Feet

In our last +1, we tapped into some wisdom from Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness as we wrote ourselves a permission slip and then hopped on the bus. 📝 🚌 Today we’re going to spend some more time with Brené. And, we’ll invite Pema Chodrön to the party. Brené tells us: &...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Way of the Bodhisattva

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Conquering Perfectionism & Self-Image

Character conquering-perfectionism Happiness self-awareness self-image soul Spirit

#1150

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The Paradox of the Ego
#1092

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Ironically: We Need a Strong Ego to Let Go of Our Ego

Let’s spend another moment or three with Franciscan mystic-monk Richard Rohr. In Falling Upward, he integrates his Catholic faith with ancient myths and modern wisdom. His book is all about the “two halves of life” / “the two tasks of life.” (Note: David Brooks‘ “...

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+1 inspired by Note: Falling Upward

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Modern Hērō & Self-Image

Actualization big-picture Character Hero modern-hero self-image soul Spirit

#1092

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This Rep’s for YOU!
#1062

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Remembering Why We’re Training in the Character Gym

David Brooks wrote a great book called The Road to Character. In it, among other things, we learned about “Résumé Virtues” vs. “Eulogy Virtues.” So, when Alexandra told me she got his newest book called The Second Mountain, I immediately snatched it and started reading it. It...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Second Mountain

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Leadership & Modern Hērō

Character Hero leadership Love modern-hero service Spirit

#1062

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On Humility
#1054

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Thinking of Ourselves Less

This morning I was reading John Maxwell’s new book on leadership called Leadershift. He was talking about the importance of humility and quoted pastor and author Rick Warren who tells us: “Humility is not denying your strengths. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses.” Now, I li...

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+1 inspired by Note: Leadershift

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Character Gratitude leadership self-image service soul Spirit

#1054

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Crimes Against Your Nature
#682

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Maslow on the Punishments of

Not too long ago, we took a quick trip to hell. I think that exercise is helpful because it helps us shine a very bright light on the potential pain of getting to the end of our lives and realizing that we left our lives unlived. But, alas, we (obviously) don’t need to wait until the end of our lives t...

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+1 inspired by Note: Toward a Psychology of Being

Pack:
Conquering Perfectionism

big-picture Character conquering-perfectionism Eudaimonia greatest-year-ever soul Spirit Virtue

#682

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Your Escort of Angels
#650

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How to Recruit Them

In our last +1, we talked about how to make yourself a quadrillion (!!!) times better. The recap there: Just let the magic of compounding 1% gains work for you. Every day. 10 years. Boom! 🦄 Of course the fine print includes the fact that, although inspiring, that’s (obviously) pretty much impossible...

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+1 inspired by Note: Self-Reliance

Pack:
Modern Hērō

big-picture Character Eudaimonia greatest-year-ever modern-hero soul spiral-up Spirit

#650

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Trust Thyself
#614

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Every Heart Vibrates to that Iron String

In our last +1, we talked about the fact that (as per Seneca’s wisdom), we need to let go of “the world’s opinion of you—it’s always unsettled and divided.” Today I want to talk about the fact that we need to KNOW that we’ll never be able to please everyone all the time. Knowing this is one...

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+1 inspired by Note: Spiritual Economics

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Creativity & Leadership

Character courage creativity leadership service soul Spirit Virtue

#614

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Useful Feedback and Trolls
#613

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How to Deal with Both

In our last +1, I shared a kind note from a fellow Optimizer and we talked about developing our obstacle immunity one OMMS at a time. Couple of things I didn’t mention that I think are worth discussing. First, this line made me smile: ”I also love how he mixes all levels of content intellectually —...

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+1 inspired by Note: Letters from a Stoic

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Confidence & Creativity

Character confidence courage creativity iconoclast Mental Toughness soul Spirit

#613

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The Inside of an Apple
#584

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Is as Beautiful as the Outside (You?)

Continuing our series of +1s on wisdom gleaned from my Zen in the Art of Spartan Training, today we’re going to talk about the inside of an Apple. But, first, a little more quick context. In addition to the “rig” that tests your grip strength and the spear throw that tests your, well, spear-throwin...

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+1 inspired by Note: Spartan Up!

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Self-Image & Spartan Training

Character commitment Excellence Mental Toughness self-image soul spartan-training Spirit

#584

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“Meh, I’m Good Enough."
#547

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Enter: Vomit in Mouth 🤢

In our last +1, we talked about Ben Bergeron, Vince Lombardi and John Wooden and their pursuit of perfection and excellence. Today I want to chat about Ben Bergeron’s philosophy a bit more. Short story: He’s ALL about training character. He’s identified twelve characteristics of a champion. They ar...

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+1 inspired by Note: Chasing Excellence

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Confidence & Peak Performance

Character commitment confidence Excellence Mental Toughness Peak Performance Work

#547

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The Two Maps of Your Life
#514

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Which One Are You Using?

In our last +1, we talked about the fact that, as per the brilliant Professor Harari, The Scientific Revolution that kicked off 500 years ago and so profoundly changed the world was started by a bunch of ignoramuses who were willing to admit all that they DIDN’T know. I’d like to revisit that theme f...

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+1 inspired by Note: Sapiens

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Conquering Perfectionism & Learning

Character conquering-perfectionism Growth Happiness Learning self-awareness soul Spirit

#514

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How to Revolutionize Your Life
#513

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Hint: Become an Ignoramus

In our last +1, we talked about Yuval Noah Harari and the fact that studying history allows us to reimagine a better future by seeing that a lot of the things we take for granted are neither natural, inevitable nor immutable. … Like all those lawns you might see today. 🤓 Today we’re going to talk ...

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+1 inspired by Note: Sapiens

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Character conquering-perfectionism Growth Happiness Learning self-awareness Work

#513

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Demonstration vs. Instruction
#510

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Which One Do YOU Think the World Needs More Of?

Wallace D. Wattles was an old-school Philosopher-Optimizer who wrote The Science of Getting Rich. He also wrote a little book called The Science of Being Great. (Both of those titles are, of course, finalists for best titles ever. 🤓) In The Science of Being Great he has a great line that has been tatt...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Science of Being Great

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Character Discipline Fatherhood leadership mis-take service Work

#510

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Sweeping Streets with Martin Luther King
#492

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Like Shakespeare, Beethoven and Michelangelo

In our last +1, we talked about Martin Seligman’s ideas on the science of having a Job vs. a Career vs. a Calling. I proposed we aim to have ALL THREE such that our work involves us using our signature strengths in greatest service to the world WHILE getting paid well AND having fun mastering our chose...

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+1 inspired by Note: Authentic Happiness

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big-picture Character Excellence flourish positive-psychology purpose soul Spirit

#492

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PhilosophersNotes (9)

Eight Pillars of Prosperity

From: Mind Is the Master - The Complete James Allen Treasury

by James Allen

James Allen wrote As a Man Thinketh—one of the all-time classics of old-school inspirational self-help. As it turns out, he wrote a *ton* of other stuff as well. He was an incredibly (!) prolific and lucid writer. Big Ideas we explore in this Note include the eight pillars of prosperity, why energy is a moral virtue, the power of kindness and generosity and how to tap into the soul of genius.

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You Learn by Living

Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life

by Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt served as the First Lady for 12 years—through her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt’s terms as President during the Great Depression and World War II. She went on to play a leading role as a diplomat in the United Nations was one of the most loved and influential women of the 20th century. This book is a beautifully written, inspiring look into “Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life.” Big Ideas we cover include how to conquer the great enemy (fear), Eleanor’s Top 4 Big Ideas on Time Management 101, holding the tension btwn our dreams of perfection and reality while making all life one big adventure.

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20th Centtury Classic Character Female Author greatness Humility Morality Work

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The Power of Ideals

The Real Story of Moral Choice

by William Damon, Anne Colby

William Damon and Anne Colby are two of the world’s leading researchers in the field of moral psychology. They’re both Professors at Stanford and have been married for 30+ years. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book that challenges the “new science of morality”’s view that morality is essentially biologically and socially determined. Damon and Colby argue that we all have the power to cultivate our more noble, moral possibilities. Big Ideas we explore include a quick look at our moral exemplars, moral agency, and the three virtues we want to cultivate: Truth + Humility + Faith.

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Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality soul Spirit Virtue

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The Road to Character

by David Brooks

In today’s world, the road to character has a much less defined map than the road to external success. In this thoughtful, penetrating book, New York Times op-ed columnist and author David Brooks walks us through the evolution of our culture away from a character ethic toward a society all about what he calls the “Big Me.” And, of course, he shows us the way back to character. Big Ideas we explore include résumé virtues vs. eulogy virtues, answering the summons, conquering yourself, living for holiness and becoming strongest at your weakest point.

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Grit

The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

Angela Duckworth is the world’s leading authority on the science of grit. In fact, she pioneered the field and, as Daniel Gilbert says on the cover: “Psychologists have spent decades searching for the secret of success, but Duckworth is the one who found it.” In this Note, we explore the two facets of grit (hint: passion + perseverance, why they’re important and how to cultivate them.

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Best of Optimize Character Female Author Grit Love Modern Classic Resilience Spirit Top 101 Work

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Primary Greatness

The 12 Levers of Success

by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen Covey passed away in 2012. This book was published posthumously and features a collection of wisdom focusing on the fact that private victory precedes public victory. Primary greatness. It’s all about what’s on the INSIDE. Covey tells us there are 12 levers of success—each with its own chapter in this great book. Big Ideas we explore include: Esse Quam Videri (“to BE rather than to seem”), Virtues: meet your parents, say “YES!,” your high-tech power saw and living in crescendo.

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Character greatness Modern Classic soul Spirit

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Wooden

A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

by John Wooden

John Wooden. He’s arguably the greatest coach EV-ER and this book is essentially one Big Idea after another. Wooden is all about the fundamentals and in this Note we’ll explore a few of my favorite Big Ideas on his old-school wisdom—from the fact that full effort = full success to the importance of becoming a realistic optimist.

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Self-Help

by Samuel Smiles

Written in 1859, this is one of the classics of self-development. Smiles focuses on character development, hard work and perseverance rather than the get-it-quick-fluff found in so much of modern self-dev. In the Note, we’ll explore a bunch of Big Ideas including the power of diligence and how to make happiness a habit!

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Packs:
Habits & Positive Psychology

20th Century Classic Character Volume II Work

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

by Stephen R. Covey

This classic has sold 15 million copies and was the first self-development book I read back in the day (1995 to be precise). In this Note, we'll take a quick look at all 7 Habits—from being proactive (huge!) to beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win/win, seeking first to understand, synergizing and sharpening the saw. Lots of goodness here to help us develop our character to create our ideal lives as we most fully give ourselves to the world.

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Packs:
Habits & Leadership

action Best of Optimize Character Energy Modern Classic Top 101

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