Memento Privilege
#1072

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The Science of Memento Mori

Let’s continue our exploration of the science of gratitude for another moment (or three). In his great book Gratitude Works!, Robert Emmons walks us through a number of practices we can use to cultivate our gratitude. As discussed, the #1 practice he recommends is gratitude journaling. Then there&#...

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And Its Remedy

In our last +1, we continued our exploration of the science of gratitude by practicing the grateful art of shifting from taking things “for granted” to seeing all the gifts “AS GRANTED” to us. Today I want to talk about the #1 thing that gets in the way of gratitude. Q: Can you gu...

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Taking Things FOR GRANTED vs. AS GRANTED
#1070

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Let’s Choose Wisely

In our last couple +1s, we talked about the science of gratitude and explored some tips on Robert Emmons’ #1 practice: Gratitude Journaling. Today I want to chat about one of the distinctions I most loved from his book Gratitude Works! He tells us: “Think about and then write down those aspec...

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#1069

Science Says: #1 Practice = …

Robert Emmons joined us to give us some EYE-POPPING (his words, my all caps!) stats: “People are 25 percent happier if they keep gratitude journals, sleep one-half hour more per evening, and exercise 33 percent more each week compared to persons who are not keeping these journals.” We have No...

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Science Says: Gratitude Works
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Some EYE-POPPING Stats

In our last +1, we talked about the power of gratitude. We soaked up some science-wisdom from Robert Emmons, the leading researcher on gratitude, who told us that gratitude is the best approach to life. When things are going well, it amplifies the awesome. When things aren’t going so well, it gives...

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The Ultimate Gift
#1067

Existence Itself

In our last +1 we talked about David Brooks’ two mountains and connected them to the metaphor of stepping out of our shiny race cars and into the pit crew to help OTHERS win THEIR races in life. I encouraged us to get tactical about it—picking three people and thinking of one thing we could do fo...

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Conquering Anxiety & Love

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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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The Greatest Invention Ever
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Can You Guess What It Is?

Continuing our brief foray into history with our little philosopher, let’s take a moment to reflect on what many consider to be the greatest invention ever. Pop quiz time. What do YOU think is the greatest invention ever? Here’s a little more context. We’re now on page 322 of The Story ...

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Learning & Modern Hērō

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Pythagoras’s PM Review
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Via His Golden Verses

In our last couple +1s, we retraced my steps through the Optimize Stoic library of wisdom—going from Musonius Rufus’s Lectures and Sayings to Massimo Pigliucci imaginary dialogues with Epictetus’s in How to Be a Stoic. You know what I read right after those two books? How to Think Like a Roman Empe...

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Journaling & Masterpiece Days

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The Psychology of Possibility
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Celebrating with 300 Burpees

The other day I celebrated the 9-month anniversary of my little bionic-arm-creating injury. I celebrated by doing 300 burpees. Then, 6 days later, I celebrated the 9-month anniversary of the surgery. I celebrated by doing another 300 burpees. Why? Well, a few reasons. With each burpee I reflected on a fe...

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Modern Hērō & Spartan Training

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The Optimize +1 Hall of Fame
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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

This is Optimize +1 #1,000. I don’t really know how to best start this one other than by saying: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Seriously. I am so honored to be a part of your life—whether that’s occasionally or every day. And I’m deeply grateful to have your support so I can do what I do. Than...

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Habits & Learning

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Friend Power
#982

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Will Power? Soul Power? Awesome But…

In our last +1, we made history with Eliud Kipchoge (and a BUNCH of his friends) as we broke through “the last barrier of modern athletics” by running a marathon in less than two hours. (Go us!) I mentioned the fact that remarkable individual human achievement takes a lot of will power. And, even mor...

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What’s Your Excuse?
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RISE UP! with Spartan Hero Kacey McCallister

In our last +1, we talked about the Spartan World Championships and my “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” and “OMMS!” “OMMS!” “OMMS!” mantras as I started (!) and finished the Race after Emerson challenged me to do it. As you may remember, Emerson met an extraordinary human with NO LEGS w...

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The Race I Almost Didn’t Do
#978

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You Got Any?

In our last couple +1s, we talked about finishing strong and getting to the starting lines of life. Today I want to chat about a recent starting line I almost didn’t get to. Quick context. Emerson’s birthday was at the end of September. It just so happened to be the weekend of the Spartan Race World ...

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Purpose & Spartan Training

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Finish Strong
#976

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Got a Finish Line in Sight? Hit It!

As we’ve discussed a few times, I went to UCLA. First generation college student. Studied Psychology and Business. I was recruited by the old Arthur Andersen which, at the time, was the largest professional services firm in the world—which seemed like a pretty exciting place for me (the son of a guy ...

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Memento Privilege #1072 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Taking Things FOR GRANTED vs. AS GRANTED #1070 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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How to Cultivate Gratitude #1069

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Science Says: Gratitude Works #1068 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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On Humility #1054 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Pythagoras’s PM Review #1019 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Psychology of Possibility #1009 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Optimize +1 Hall of Fame #1000 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Friend Power #982 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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What’s Your Excuse? #979 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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The Race I Almost Didn’t Do #978 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Finish Strong #976 Get instant access to all +1's! Join nearly 10,000 members in the 1,000-Day Epic Optimizing Challenge and start optimizing your life today. Join Now

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Memento Privilege
#1072

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The #1 Obstacle to Gratitude
#1071

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Taking Things FOR GRANTED vs. AS GRANTED
#1070

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How to Cultivate Gratitude
#1069

Science Says: Gratitude Works
#1068

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The Ultimate Gift
#1067

On Humility
#1054

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The Greatest Invention Ever
#1051

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Pythagoras’s PM Review
#1019

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The Psychology of Possibility
#1009

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The Optimize +1 Hall of Fame
#1000

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Friend Power
#982

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What’s Your Excuse?
#979

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The Race I Almost Didn’t Do
#978

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Finish Strong
#976

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