Brian Johnson explains how character comes from the Greek word for chisel, using Michelangelo and a Buddha saying about drops of water to show how we're slowly shaped by small, repeated choices rather than sudden change.
Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another micro class. This one's on chisel and character. It's inspired by leading an inspired life. Jim Rohn, old school classic. He tells us that the word character comes from the Greek word for chisel, or that which is produced by a chisel. That's how we form our character, chiseling. He says, look, chisels are used against very difficult, hard substances. So imagine here you are in your current life, right? And then here you are inside this ideal version of you, inside this marble, inside this rock. Imagine that you are like Michelangelo carving David the statue. Michelangelo often said, or at least he's quoted as having said that, that before he even started working on a statue, he could see it in the marble. Well, we need to see our ideal selves, right?
We need to get fired up about that.
That ideal self. Our dream of what we're capable of being, our ultimate virtuous character, and all the benefits we experience from that needs to have pull power that literally pulls this version of us up there, right? So see that version of you and imagine as if it's within a solid block of marble. And what you need to do is chisel away at every single little thing that's getting in the way of this version of you expressing itself more consistently in your life. Take a chisel to it, chip away a little bit, A little bit, a little bit. You're not bringing a sledgehammer to it, breaking the whole thing down. You're bringing a chisel and you're working slowly, little by little, drop by drop. As the Buddha says, a water pot is filled with water. Drop by drop, little by little, one becomes good. You don't do it by putting a fire hydrant up on it. You take a chisel to all the stuff that's getting in the way and reveal that ultimate, awesome version of you and the shining, radiant character that is you at your best. So remember, character comes from the Greek word for chisel.
Isn't it a bit odd that we went from math to science to history, but somehow missed the class on how to live? For some wacky reason, optimal living 101 never made the schedule. Of course, it's too late to go back and change that, and you're too busy to read full time to catch up yet. If you're like us, you're all about optimizing your life and actualizing your pot. So imagine this. Imagine having someone read the best books on optimal living and pulling out the big ideas that can truly change your life. You know, those sections. You asterisk and underline and mark all up. Then imagine that guy me connecting those ideas to other great books and helping you apply them to your life today. Well, that's what I do with something we call Philosopher's Notes where I break down each great book into a simple 6 page PDF, 20 minute MP3 and 10 minute Philosopher's Notes TV episode. Then imagine me taking the absolute best big ideas from those great books and sharing them with you in fun, inspiring, super practical optimal living 101 classes on stuff like purpose 101, confidence 101, business 101 meditation 101, that sort of thing. You've got a personal trainer? I'm kind of like your personal philosopher. Ancient wisdom plus Modern Science plus Common Sense plus Virtue plus Mastery plus Fun. That's what our optimized membership program is all about. We'd love to have you join us. Check us out at BrianJohnson.
Me join.
