Short podcast mini-chapter (from Brian Johnson's A Philosopher's Notes) that lists and briefly explains ten principles of optimal living: 1) optimism, 2) purpose, 3) self-awareness, 4) goals, 5) action, 6) energy, 7) wisdom, 8) courage, 9) love, and 10) enthusiasm/the divine within. The episode closes with promotional notes about the book and newsletter.
You're listening to Optimize with Bryan Johnson. More wisdom in Less time. This is a mini chapter from Brian's book A Philosopher's Notes. You can find it on Amazon.
The 10 principles of optimal Living. From what I can see, the essence of optimal living comes down to these 10 principles. Number one, optimism. If we can't tame that crazy drunk monkey in our mind and shape the contents of our consciousness, nothing else matters. Period. Number two, purpose. What inspires you? What's your dharma, your purpose, your highest calling? Living an authentically awesome life requires creating an empowering vision and keeping your eye on your highest goal without losing yourself on a manic Holy Grail chase. Number three, self awareness. From the Oracle of Delphi and the Buddha to modern science, it's clear we've got to know ourselves. How well do you know thyself? Number four, goals. Whether it's meditating first thing tomorrow morning or starting your business or family or painting or whatever, we've got to have goals that inspire us. Number five.
Action.
All that's nice, but we've got to follow Guru Nike's advice and just do it. Are you just doing it or just talking about it? Number six, energy. We're going to have a hard time reaching our potential if we have a hard time getting out of bed or getting out of debt. Are you honoring the simple fundamentals of nutrition, exercise, rejuvenation and money? Number seven, wisdom. Wisdom is all about approaching life as our classroom and looking at every moment as another opportunity to live our ideals.
Number eight, courage.
The word comes from the Latin word for heart.
It's the virtue that pumps blood to all the other virtues.
Without it, none of this other stuff matters.
How's your courage pumping?
Number nine, Love.
Love, love, love.
How are your relationships? Are you studying love like you'd study a sport or a musical instrument or a language you want to master? And finally, number 10, in Theos, God, spirit, the universe, whatever you call the force that beats our hearts and keeps the planets in line. It's the center and circumference of everything. Connecting to it is a good idea. Are you plugged in a little note on that? In Theos are the two little Greek words in Theos that make up the word enthusiasm, which literally means God within. Ultimately, that's what this is all about, plugging into the divine within us so we can shine with a radiant enthusiasm that's only discovered when we live in integrity with these virtues and our highest ideals.
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