#ImpactTom 1: Tim Ferriss on Super Learning & Pushing the Limits!

Part of a new series on the blog! I've watched a few of these interviews with Tom Bilyeu and his show Impact Theory and there is some great stuff in there… so let's start off with Mr Tim Ferriss!

To find out more on Tom, Impact Theory, Inside Quest and Quest Nutrition, then click on the links above to delve deeper. Suffice to say, his company is worth a billion dollars and he does an online show bringing in some of the finest minds and successful people out there.

In other blogs I recently referenced an interview with Mel Robbins, another with Dr Joe Dispenza and one a while back with Jay Shetty.

Today that (in)famous '4 hour work weeker', Timothy F. He is known throughout the so-called 'lifestyle design' community and 'digital nomad' scene. I don't particularly like those terms but you get the picture. A great experimenter who has also authored other books on the 4 hour theme and countless other exploits.

But today it's about this interview and what we can glean from it. Here'tis!

Cheers Timmy!

Here are a few of my notes:

• What if I did the opposite for 48 hours?

Coming at it from a different angle for a short period of time. This was based on questions Tim asked himself. Test the hypothesis. For example, he called people out of hours when not successful with sales calls in regular office hours.

• The power of enduring suffering

"He who has a strong enough why can bear almost any how" ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Tom mentions it as a 'superpower' of his and someone Tim discusses. The ability to just keep going despite all obstacles and being knocked down, ie. endure, tolerate, and ultimately break through any suffering as part of the process.

• If I could only work 2 hours a week, what would I do?

If I had a gun to my head, what would I choose to do with that limited time. That brings out great answers as to where your focus should lie.

• Peter Diamandis - what would you have to do in the next 6 months to 10x the economics of your business?

Peter is and angel investor amongst other things. This is what he asks startups in order to see their vision and get them thinking big.

• 2 things about entrepreneurship (from Tom) - 1. The mundane. 2. Break out from linear thinking

Tom talks about painting the studio. Not really what he had in mind in being a big shot entrepreneur, but part of that process and forming part of the unseen journey.

Also, thinking with the end in mind and the bigger picture, rather than in a straight line.

• Red team / blue team

Comes from the military. Pitching one team against the other to pick holes and ultimately improve.

• Debating (for other side)

This is the kind of thing that goes on in a debating class. Actually making a case for the opposing side. This does several things - not least, improve your debating skills and see the situation from the other side, making you far more rounded.

• What can I learn from the people I hate the most? forces you to separate your morality from your search for effectiveness and gives some degree of empathy

Take emotions out of it and see the facts. Again, a more rounded approach and person.

• (As a lion) are you hunting antelope or are you hunting field mice?

Go big or go home!

• Busy or productive?

There's a difference. It's been discussed many times, but it's better to be getting quality work done rather than just buzzing around achieving nothing.

• Set low expectations??

Then they will always be exceeded. I put the question marks as this could be misconstrued. I think you should have high standards (for yourself and others) but probably better not to expect anything. Detach from any outcomes or desires.

• 2 crappy pages

Not sure who said this originally, but the concept is about avoiding procrastination and perfectionism. As a writer, sitting down to write with the intention of writing just two crappy pages. Not many, and not good quality. This bypasses any expectations. Of course, you may well write more and it may well be amazing… but that's not the aim. The aim is just to get going and continue the habit.

• Lower your standards

Ties in with lowering expectations and the 2 crappy pages principle. Obviously there's a time and a place where to lower (and higher) your standards! ;)

• What makes you angry? (fuel for writer's block etc)

Something that gets you going and infuses passion can spark that creativity and action.

• Copyright your faults

Own them and make them a central feature of your identity. A strength rather than a weakness.

• How might some of my biggest weaknesses be assets?

As above. They can even be what sets you apart.

• Morning Pages = spiritual windscreen wipers (or 5 minute journal)

You may have heard of Morning Pages and/or The 5 Minute Journal. These are both forms of journaling which is said to help greatly. One, for planning, but also for gratitude, to get yourself into a positive state, as well as getting thoughts out of your head.

• Talking Tools of Titans book. Sections: healthy, wealthy and wise.

Most of the interview was based around Tim's Tools of Titans book as that had just come out at the time. It's laid out into these 3 sections: healthy, wealthy & wise. I have the hard copy of the book but haven't read it as yet, but will certainly be a subject of a #BookBabble at some stage (along with Tribe of Mentors).

• If more information were the answer, we'd all be billionaires with 6 pack abs

Something those seeking 'personal growth' need to take heed of (and I'm the worst culprit). It's great to learn, read, watch and gain all the knowledge, but it needs to be put into practice. That next course isn't necessarily going to take you to business success any more than the last 4. There may be nuggets in each which can be applied but not the magic bullet you may be seeking. Trick is in acting more than consuming. Something I am still learning… but let's avoid being the richest, fittest person that never was in the cemetery.

• Don't be a donkey. Parable - thirsty and hungry, water on one side and hay on the other, and he can't decide which to do first. Dies of thirst.

A paraphrased, condensed version of this poor donkey told by Tim. The old paralysis of indecision. It can be deadly!

• You can do almost everything you want in life, but you can't do it at the same time.

This is key. It's all open and possible as they say. The reason it's not being attained is that we're not going about it in the right way. It takes time and a certain strategy, which leads into the next point…

• For example: dedicate yourself to ONE THING for a year, and then the NEXT THING for a year. You can do those 10 things. But if you try to do those 10 things at once, you're going to be 'burden's ass' (donkey above) and 'focus' all over the place. So, don't be a donkey!

Here's one way to go about it. Say you're 30. By the time you're 40 you could be extremely skilled at several things and perhaps a master of 1 or 2. Far superior than the general populace in all of them anyway (other than those dedicated more than you). If you try to do them all in a slapdash way, then you will keep repeating the same cycles over and over and that 40 year old will be pretty much in the same spot as that hopeful 30 year old. And that's where mid-life crises kick in ;)

• 95 vs 100%. 95% is enough

Striving for excellence rather than perfection.

• Who cares? High pressure situation - what does it really matter?

You've put in the training or practice. The stage is set. There's nothing you can do now but execute. Ultimately, what's it matter?

• An absurd goal over 'real' goal. Ludicrous goal to offset the actual/serious goal. Psychological release valve.

Tim talks about having a crazy, ridiculous goal that takes some of the attention and pressure off the actual goal thus making it lighter and more achievable. Less stress. More fun.

• Plenty of gold. Massive experimenter. Distills it down.

Me about Tim. There's always plenty to take from our Timmy. He's experimented a vast amount over the years and distills it all down to the principle, actionable components required for success. Look into him winning a Tango competition in Argentina and Martial Arts in China. Not for the purists but a direct route. He also puts this wisdom into his podcasts and his latest couple of books.

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I'm hoping to post one of these interviews every few days. Next up, Jesse Itzler!! (Don't know him? Well you'll soon find out and you're in for a treat ;)).

I have to finish with one of my favourite quotes from TF himself:

"The worst that can happen isn't crashing and burning, it's accepting terminal boredom as the tolerable status quo"

What was your favourite part of the interview?

~ Adam

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