This is a short podcast mini-chapter (APN31) in which Brian Johnson introduces and reads his "10 power questions"—a set of contemplative journaling prompts inspired by Leonardo da Vinci via Michael Gelb. The piece includes a brief anecdote about using one question to decide his vocation and closes with a newsletter/ebook call-to-action.
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.
10 power questions. So right after that 100 questions exercise, you did it right or you're gonna do it? Gelb tells us that in addition to being incredibly and insatiably cur, Da Vinci was also committed to deep contemplation. If we want to be like Leo, we've got to get our contemplation on. To support that end, Gelb suggests we meditate on one or more of his power questions. I took him up on the invitation, writing, how can I get paid to do what I love? On a piece of paper? And hanging it via some dental floss over my showerhead as I took a nice long contemplative bath. And in many ways, I can trace typing these words or now reading these words to that precise moment when I decided I wanted to be paid to study life, become a better human being, and share what I'm learning. Now I've created my own list of power questions. Ponder or journal on these if you feel so inspired. How can you use your strengths in greatest service to yourself, your family, your community and the world? Number two. How can you get paid to do what you love to do? Number three. What five things are you most proud of? What five things will you be most proud of? Number four. If you had all the time and all the money in the world, what would you do? Number five. What's your ideal day look like? When do you get up? What do you do with whom? For whom? Imagine it in vivid detail. Number six. Who are your heroes? Why and how are you like them? Number seven. What would you do if you weren't afraid? Number eight. If you were guaranteed to succeed, what's the number one thing you would do? What else? Number nine. What is it that you and only you can do for the world? And number 10, how can you live in more integrity with your ideals? What's the number one thing you could start doing that would have the most positive impact in your life? What's the number one thing you could stop doing that would have the most positive impact in your life? Sweet now. Rock it.
We hope you enjoyed this mini chapter from Brian's book, A Philosopher's Notes. Want More wisdom in Less time delivered in your inbox. Sign up for Brian's free daily newsletter, the Optimizer, and get the full ebook and audiobook at brianjohnson Me APN.
