A short podcast/micro-class by Brian Johnson contrasting problem-centric thinking (PCT) with relentless solution focus (RSF), inspired by Dr. Jason Selk’s Executive Toughness. Johnson explains psychological tendencies toward negativity, offers practical steps (e.g., ‘what’s one thing I can do right now?’, ‘plus one’, and a 60-second rule) to shift from problems to incremental solutions, and includes promotional remarks for Optymyze Premium and his Philosopher’s Notes program.
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Hey, this is Brian with a quick note before we jump into today's show. If you haven't signed up for the Optymyze Premium membership yet, A, what are you waiting for? And B, you can now get the first 30 days of optimizing for free. Just cruise on over to Optimize me and sign up. Over 10,000 people now start their days with Optymyze so they can actualize their potential, including best selling authors, leading entrepreneurs and even NCAA championship teams. Two of them. So again, 30 days of free optimizing at Optimize Me. If you're already a member, thanks for your support. Now for the show, You're listening to Optimize with Brian Johnson. More wisdom in less time. Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another micro class. This One is on PCT versus RSF. It's inspired by executive toughness by Dr. Jason Selk, PCTRSF. What is that? Problem centric thinking. And we have relentless keyword solution focus. Guess which one is a hallmark of executive toughness, of toughness in general. We want to be relentlessly focused on solutions. Move from problem to solution focus PCT versus rsf. Now the reality is that we actually evolved to have what Daniel Amen calls ants, automatic negative thoughts. Rick Hansen says our brains are like Teflon for positive stuff and they're like Velcro for negative stuff. Now that wasn't a bad thing millions of years ago as we were evolving and surviving. But problem centric thinking today is a problem. If we want to be tough, we've got to move from problems to solutions. Imagine if you have this whiteboard, problems on one side, solutions on the other. How's your whiteboard look? Do you have a ton of problems you're constantly obsessing about or are you focused on transitioning these into solutions? Selk tells us that one way to do it is ask yourself the question, what's one thing I can do right now? What's one thing I can do to make the situation just a little bit better? Not perfect, but, but a little bit better. And that's where we get overwhelmed, is we think we need to solve our entire problem. He says that's not true. Relentless solution focuses. He says just plus one. It plus one get a little bit better. Incremental improvement over time is huge. But if you think you need to be here this moment, you're going to be in trouble. You don't just take the next step and then the next step, then the next step. Problem to solution. Be relentless about it, he says make it a game. Give yourself 60 seconds to be in problem mode and then get into relentless solution. Focus rsf alright, do you have a problem in your life? Identify it. That was a joke by the way. We all have problems, but how do we move to solution and do so rapidly? 60 seconds. Let's be relentless. Let's be tough. Hope you enjoyed. Look forward to sharing more. Have another awesome day. See ya. Isn't it a bit odd we went from math to science, 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 potential. 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 is 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.
