Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin — The Tim Ferriss Show
22 Jul 2024 (2 months ago)
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- This chapter of the Tim Ferriss Show features a conversation with Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin. The episode is sponsored by Helix Sleep, a company that provides tailored mattresses based on individual sleep preferences. Helix Sleep offers a variety of mattress models to suit different sleeping positions and body types. They also offer a 100-night risk-free trial and a 10 or 15-year warranty depending on the model.
- The episode is also sponsored by Shopify, an e-commerce platform that empowers businesses of all sizes to start, run, and grow their online presence. Shopify provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to help entrepreneurs manage their sales channels, engage with customers, and optimize their checkout process. They offer a $1 per month trial period for new users.
- The episode begins with Tim Ferriss introducing the show and its purpose, which is to interview world-class performers from various fields to uncover their habits, routines, and favorite books. This episode features a two-for-one interview with Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin.
Notes about this supercombo format.
- The podcast, "The Tim Ferriss Show," recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and surpassed 1 billion downloads.
- To commemorate this milestone, Tim Ferriss has curated "super combo episodes" featuring some of his favorite guests from over 700 episodes.
- These episodes pair well-known guests with lesser-known individuals who have significantly impacted Tim Ferriss's life and whom he believes can benefit listeners.
Enter Anne Lamott.
- Anne Lamott is a New York Times bestselling author who has written 20 books, including "Operating Instructions," "Bird by Bird," "Help Thanks Wow," "A Celebration of Prayer," and her latest book, "Somehow," which explores the transformative power of love.
- Her most well-known book is "Bird by Bird," which is a classic guide to writing.
- Lamott is active on Twitter and can be found under the handle @anlamott.
What is it about Bird by Bird that has affected so many people so deeply?
- Anne Lamott shares a story about her grandson's reaction to her writing workshop, highlighting the fact that she focuses on teaching people to write, not necessarily to write well.
- She emphasizes the importance of "shitty first drafts" and encourages people to focus on simply getting words down on paper, rather than striving for perfection from the start.
- Lamott's approach, as exemplified in her book "Bird by Bird," encourages people to break down writing tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, making the process less daunting and more achievable.
Where the title of Bird by Bird originated.
- Anne Lamott shares the origin of the title "Bird by Bird" from a story about her brother struggling with a school assignment. Her brother, a fourth-grader, was tasked with writing a year-long paper on birds. He procrastinated and was overwhelmed, but their father gave him the advice to "take it bird by bird," suggesting he focus on one small step at a time. This advice resonated with Lamott and became the title of her book.
- Lamott connects this advice to writing, comparing it to driving at night with headlights. You can only see a short distance ahead, but you can still make the whole journey. This analogy emphasizes the importance of focusing on the immediate task at hand and not getting overwhelmed by the entirety of the project.
- Lamott also discusses the importance of overcoming perfectionism. She argues that perfectionism is a destructive force that keeps people from creating. She encourages writers to embrace imperfection and to accept that their work will never be perfect. She uses the analogy of a shanty town to describe her own writing, acknowledging that it may not be perfect but is still valuable and meaningful.
How Neal Allen helps people tame (but not discard) their inner critic.
- Neal Allen, author of "Shapes of Truth," helps people tame their inner critic by acknowledging its existence and giving it a new purpose.
- Allen believes that the inner critic, while helpful in childhood, becomes unnecessary and even detrimental in adulthood.
- He encourages his clients to give their inner critic a new role, such as an "ethical consultant," allowing it to continue existing but in a less intrusive and more productive way.
Who controls the dial when you're tuned in to KFKD radio?
- Anne Lamott, in her book "Bird by Bird," describes a fictional radio station called KFKD, which represents the inner critic. This radio station constantly broadcasts negative messages, making you feel inadequate and discouraging your efforts.
- Lamott emphasizes that turning down the volume of KFKD is crucial for personal growth and creativity. This involves silencing the inner critic and focusing on the positive voices of loved ones who support and encourage you.
- While the negative voice of KFKD may always be present to some extent, you can choose to prioritize the positive voices and focus on the things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
How Anne recommends I pursue my fiction writing aspirations.
- Anne Lamott encourages the listener to reread her book "Bird by Bird" as a guide for pursuing fiction writing.
- Lamott acknowledges that fiction writing is a different endeavor than nonfiction writing, emphasizing its freedom and potential for exploration.
- She offers her support and guidance to the listener, emphasizing the importance of persistence and focusing on small, manageable tasks like working on a single passage, memory, or character description, even if it's done imperfectly.
The pros and cons of Anne's upbringing.
- Anne Lamott's childhood was marked by a tense family dynamic, with her parents not loving each other, her father drinking heavily, and her mother being overweight and codependent. She was the middle child, tasked with helping her father come home and her brother from imploding.
- This upbringing instilled in her a sense of being defective and responsible for her family's happiness. She learned to please people and achieve at a high level, but also to be a people-pleaser and prioritize others' needs over her own.
- Lamott's childhood experiences led her to develop a strong sense of self-care and prioritize her own needs, which she attributes to therapy, recovery, and the women's movement. She learned to embrace the "broken egg yolk" metaphor, recognizing that she doesn't have to always be the one to sacrifice.
What does being "spiritually fit" mean to Anne?
- Anne Lamott defines "spiritually fit" as being present in her body and not "tripping" on anxieties, fears, and negative thoughts. She explains that when she's not spiritually fit, she's caught up in her own mind, creating stories and worrying about things that may not even be real. She uses the acronym "FEAR" (False Evidence Appearing Real) to illustrate this point.
- Breathing is a key element of Lamott's spiritual practice. She believes that holding back breath can prevent us from fully inhabiting our bodies and experiencing life. She describes a childhood experience of passing out on the boardwalk, which she attributes to her tendency to hold her breath.
- Lamott emphasizes the importance of laughter and humor in her spiritual journey. She believes that laughter is a form of "carbonated holiness" that helps her connect with her human spirit and the Divine. She also acknowledges her dual citizenship as both a child of God and a flawed human being with her own unique biographical details.
How radical self-care became an imperative for Anne.
- Anne Lamott describes her journey with radical self-care, highlighting two pivotal experiences that led her to prioritize her own well-being.
- The first experience involved a three-day blackout in 1986, which marked a turning point in her struggle with alcohol and substance abuse. This event led her to seek help from sober women who supported her in her recovery.
- The second experience involved a period of intense people-pleasing and exhaustion, which culminated in a breakdown and a realization that she was putting everyone else's needs before her own. This led to a phone call with her spiritual mentor, Bonnie, who helped her understand the importance of prioritizing herself.
The dark night that turned Anne's son Sam's life around.
- Anne Lamott describes a harrowing experience with her son Sam, who was struggling with addiction to meth and alcohol. She felt helpless and terrified, fearing she would lose him. This experience was particularly difficult because Sam had a young child, and Lamott was raising her grandchild.
- Lamott reached her breaking point when Sam showed up at her house intoxicated. She confronted him, expressing her anger and frustration. This confrontation led to a moment of connection, and Lamott drove Sam back to his apartment in the Tenderloin, a dangerous neighborhood in San Francisco.
- Despite their difficult past, Lamott and Sam reconnected. Sam eventually sought help and achieved sobriety. This experience taught Lamott that her attempts to control and "help" Sam were actually hindering his progress. She realized that true help comes from allowing people to navigate their own journeys, even if it means stepping back and letting go.
Enter Josh Waitzkin.
- Josh Waitzkin is the author of "The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance."
- He is a trainer of elite mental performers in business and finance.
- Waitzkin is an eight-time National chess champion, a two-time world champion in Tai chiuan Push Hands, and the first Brazilian jiujitsu black belt under nine-time World Champion Marcelo Garcia.
On Dreaming Yourself Awake by B. Alan Wallace and Brian Hodel.
- Josh Waitzkin expresses his excitement about discussing the book "Dreaming Yourself Awake" by B. Alan Wallace and Brian Hodel. He explains that he began exploring Tibetan dream yoga and lucid dreaming about 20 years ago, during his initial foray into East Asian philosophy.
- Waitzkin recounts how a friend recommended the book, and they both mistakenly discussed a different book initially. However, Waitzkin eventually picked up "Dreaming Yourself Awake" and found it to be an exceptional and systematic exploration of lucid dreaming.
- Waitzkin highlights the book's unique approach, which blends East Asian philosophy with Western science. He mentions that he was actively involved in chess and martial arts competitions during this period.
Casual exercise.
- Anne Lamott expresses her gratitude to Tim Ferriss for encouraging her to purchase a slackline, which she has been enjoying using on Long Island.
- Lamott describes her current enjoyment of the slackline, particularly while engaging in playful activities with her four-and-a-half-year-old son, Jack.
- Lamott suggests that they should share a cautionary tale, possibly related to the use of the slackline or other fitness equipment.
Josh's terrifying experience with the Wim Hof method.
- Josh Waitzkin, a lifetime meditator and free diver, was intrigued by Wim Hof's breathing method after hearing Tim Ferriss discuss it on his podcast. He began practicing the method and found it incredibly powerful, experiencing intense energy flow and increased breath-holding capacity. However, he made a critical error by ignoring warnings against practicing the method underwater, despite his extensive free diving experience.
- Waitzkin mistakenly believed that oxygen deprivation, rather than carbon dioxide buildup, was the primary trigger for the urge to breathe. This led to a near-fatal incident while swimming at the NYU pool. After a series of underwater swims, he blacked out and sank to the bottom of the pool, remaining unconscious for three minutes before being rescued. Doctors informed him that he was incredibly lucky to have survived, as shallow water blackout typically leads to permanent brain damage or death within 40 seconds to a minute.
- The experience profoundly impacted Waitzkin's perspective on life, instilling in him a deep sense of gratitude, presence, and appreciation for the beauty in everyday life. He also acknowledged the importance of risk assessment and the need to avoid over-steering in his training and decision-making. While he recognizes the inherent risks in pushing boundaries, he emphasizes the importance of being aware of both personal and group risk levels, particularly when engaging in activities with others.
How Josh uses "flow" as therapy.
- Josh Waitzkin, a chess prodigy, found solace in the "flow state" as a coping mechanism for the immense pressure he faced from a young age. He embraced a chaotic and unpredictable style of play, finding harmony and enjoyment within the chaos.
- This approach, which he developed playing with street hustlers in Washington Square Park, contrasted with the more controlled and strategic approach favored by many other young chess players.
- As he matured, Waitzkin recognized the distinction between the "life and death" stakes of competitive chess and the actual risks involved in other activities like martial arts and fatherhood. He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the difference between metaphorical and literal risk, especially as a father.
Initiating a flow state.
- Josh Waitzkin describes flow as a state of being deeply engaged and immersed in an activity. He emphasizes that love and passion for the activity are crucial for achieving flow. He found flow in chess, an art form he deeply loved, and encourages finding activities that allow for self-expression.
- Waitzkin highlights the importance of pushing oneself to the limit as a precondition for flow. He emphasizes the need to constantly challenge oneself by playing against opponents at or above one's level. This creates a sense of stress and stretching that is essential for growth and achieving flow.
- Waitzkin emphasizes the role of meditation in enhancing flow. He explains that meditation helped him develop a heightened awareness of his body and its subtle sensations, allowing him to feel the nuances of his performance and identify when his focus or quality of play declined. This heightened awareness, he argues, is crucial for achieving flow in any mental discipline, including chess and finance.
Cognitive biases and armchair professors.
- Cognitive biases are a crucial aspect of decision-making, especially in fields like chess and investing. Josh Waitzkin and Anne Lamott discuss the difference between academics who study cognitive biases and those who integrate them into their intuitive processes. High-level thinkers, they argue, have a more nuanced understanding of these biases, incorporating them into their intuitive decision-making.
- The concept of "armchair professors" or "philosophists" is introduced, highlighting the difference between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Waitzkin uses the example of the "sunk cost fallacy" to illustrate how cognitive biases can lead to poor decisions.
- Waitzkin emphasizes the importance of cultivating "presence" as a way to detect and avoid cognitive biases. He uses the analogy of a chess game, where a player's emotional attachment to a past evaluation can lead to a "downward spiral" of poor decisions. By developing an awareness of the present moment, individuals can better identify and avoid these biases.
Developing high-level sensitivity and listening to your senses.
- Developing sensitivity and listening to intuition are crucial skills. The text uses the example of a shared food poisoning experience in Costa Rica to illustrate the importance of trusting one's gut feeling. While Josh Waitzkin recognized the food was potentially unsafe, he felt social pressure to conform and eat it, resulting in a very unpleasant experience.
- Cultivating sensitivity involves unlearning and releasing obstructions. The text emphasizes that developing sensitivity is about returning to a more natural state, which requires unlearning ingrained habits and distractions. It suggests that modern life, with its constant bombardment of stimuli and distractions, hinders our ability to be present and sense subtle cues.
- Mindfulness practice is essential for developing sensitivity. The text highlights the importance of mindfulness practice as a foundational tool for cultivating the ability to sense the most subtle ripples of human experience. This practice helps us become more aware of our internal and external environment, allowing us to better discern signals from noise.
Strategies for on-boarding newcomers to mindfulness training.
- Josh Waitzkin shares his strategy for introducing mindfulness training to people in the finance industry. He starts by having them engage in stress and recovery interval training, which involves oscillating their heart rate between 170s and 140s. This helps them become aware of their breath and focus during recovery intervals, enhancing their ability to lower their heart rate quickly. Once they develop this awareness, he introduces meditation, making the on-ramp to mindfulness more successful.
- Waitzkin further refines this approach by incorporating biofeedback. He has individuals engage in stress and recovery interval training followed by biofeedback exercises, often using heart rate variability through HeartMath or working with a specialist. This helps them observe the subtle shifts between stress and coherence in their biometric data, making the transition to meditation even more powerful.
- Anne Lamott suggests using Headspace as a gateway drug to meditation. She believes that starting with Headspace before bed can be a gentle introduction to mindfulness, leading to a morning meditation practice. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a core meditation practice in a peaceful environment, free from distractions, before gradually introducing it into more chaotic situations.
Paddlesurfers in peril.
- Tim Ferriss and Josh Waitzkin went on a stand-up paddle surfing adventure in Costa Rica with their friend Eric Anenson, who hosts the "Padal Podcast."
- During their trip, they encountered a "witching hour" where several near-accidents occurred, including potential decapitation and head-on collisions.
- The incident involved three leashes snapping, leading to a chaotic situation.
Embracing the funk.
- Embracing "funk" is crucial for developing elite mental performers. Josh Waitzkin, a chess and martial arts champion, emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the unique quirks and eccentricities of individuals, which he refers to as their "funk." This "funk" is often intertwined with genius and brilliance, and it's essential to build training programs that cater to these individual differences rather than trying to fit everyone into a standardized mold.
- Self-expression is key to achieving excellence. Waitzkin believes that true excellence comes from allowing individuals to express themselves authentically through their chosen art form, whether it's chess, martial arts, investing, or education. This requires a deep understanding of the individual and their unique way of thinking and learning.
- The challenge lies in the lack of listening and observation. Waitzkin points out that many teachers and parents are stuck in traditional methods of teaching, failing to truly listen and observe the nuances of their students' minds. This hinders the development of personalized learning experiences that allow for genuine self-expression. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating empty space and dedicating time to truly understand individuals before building training programs around them.
On parenting.
- Josh Waitzkin, a chess grandmaster and author, shares his insights on parenting, drawing from his experience raising his son, Jack. He emphasizes the importance of being deeply attuned to a child's needs and fostering a sense of agency.
- Waitzkin believes that control is a limiting factor in life and encourages embracing chaos. He describes how he trained himself to thrive in chaotic environments by creating disorder in his own life, such as playing chess in noisy settings and keeping his cards disorganized.
- He emphasizes the importance of reframing discomfort, both physical and mental, as opportunities for growth. He shares how he and Jack have embraced cold showers and other challenges, turning them into opportunities for meditation and self-discovery.
- Waitzkin highlights the importance of lateral thinking and the "go around" principle, which encourages finding alternative solutions when faced with obstacles. He describes how he and Jack have used this principle in various contexts, from navigating physical spaces to solving puzzles.
- Waitzkin expresses his admiration for Jack's ability to connect concepts and express his emotions in a nuanced way, highlighting the importance of cultivating semantic awareness and emotional intelligence in children.
Fixed perspectives and growth mindsets.
- Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: The text discusses the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset believes that intelligence and abilities are innate and unchanging, while a growth mindset believes that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and practice.
- Impact of Praise: The text highlights how praise can reinforce a fixed mindset if it focuses on inherent traits like "smartness" rather than effort and process. Praising a child for their hard work and effort fosters a growth mindset.
- Embodied Intelligence: The text emphasizes the importance of embodying a growth mindset as parents and educators. Children learn more from observing their parents' actions than from their words. Therefore, it is crucial to practice a growth mindset oneself to effectively teach it to others.
On training somatic sensitivity.
- Somatic sensitivity is about recognizing subtle internal cues, like "dimples of light in the darkness," that most people overlook. Training this sensitivity requires cultivating an internal locus of control, meaning focusing on your own inner experience rather than external pressures.
- External pressures, like social media feedback or performance reviews, can distract from internal cues and lead to a reactive way of life. This is especially true for artists and performers who are constantly seeking external validation.
- A high-level artist needs to trust their intuition, even if it goes against the opinions of others. This is difficult because the "others" are often not at the same level of expertise and their opinions can be misleading. Ignoring these external pressures and focusing on internal cues is crucial for achieving true artistic excellence.
On mitigating the dangers of a fixed identity.
- Stoicism as a tool for mitigating the dangers of a public persona: Josh Waitzkin highlights the importance of stoicism in navigating the challenges of introspection while maintaining a public presence. He cites the example of Epictetus, a renowned stoic philosopher, who deliberately wore a blue tunic instead of a purple one to invite ridicule, thereby training himself to be less sensitive to criticism.
- Embracing vulnerability and defying expectations: Waitzkin emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability and defying expectations. He shares a personal anecdote about choosing a pair of ridiculous, striped gloves despite the salesperson's suggestion to go with a more conventional option. This act of defiance, he argues, helps him to avoid clinging to a fixed identity and to feel less pressure to protect a reputation.
- Creating an environment of vulnerability: Waitzkin describes his practice of conducting "drunk Q&As" on Facebook, where he intentionally allows himself to be vulnerable and potentially embarrassing. This deliberate act of self-exposure, he believes, helps him to avoid becoming overly concerned with maintaining a polished public image and to prevent himself from becoming a politician, a role that often requires a carefully constructed persona.
Marcelo Garcia and the principle of cultivating quality as a way of life.
- Marcelo Garcia, a nine-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is known for his mastery of transitions and his ability to thrive in chaotic situations. He embodies the principle of cultivating quality as a way of life, both in his training and in his teaching.
- Garcia's school is a testament to this principle, with students constantly pushing themselves to improve and seeking out the most challenging training partners. This creates an environment where everyone is on a steep growth curve, regardless of their skill level.
- Garcia's attention to detail extends beyond the mat, as he emphasizes quality in all aspects of life, from the way students tie their belts to the way they run warm-ups. This focus on quality in the little things ultimately leads to greater success in the big moments.
Quality and presence in parenthood.
- The importance of consistent training and presence: The text emphasizes the importance of consistent training and presence, not just in martial arts but also in parenting and other areas of life. It draws a parallel between the decline in performance when training intensity is reduced and the potential for parents to become less present with subsequent children.
- The dangers of complacency and ego: The text highlights the dangers of complacency and ego, particularly in the context of meditation. It suggests that individuals who have achieved a certain level of proficiency can become attached to their accomplishments, leading to a decline in their practice and a disconnect from the true essence of their pursuit.
- The importance of qualitative training and presence: The text emphasizes the importance of qualitative training and presence, which involves a deep commitment and dedication to the pursuit, rather than simply focusing on quantity. It suggests that this approach leads to a greater sense of confidence and a deeper understanding of the discipline.
The fire-walking process.
- The "fire-walking process" is a method for learning from other people's experiences with the same intensity as we learn from our own. This is important because people often learn more effectively from their own mistakes than from observing others.
- The process involves visualizing the experience with intense focus and emotional engagement, creating a physiological response similar to actually experiencing it. This can be applied to various situations, such as learning from a bear market in investing or recovering from an injury.
- Josh Waitzkin provides an example of how he used visualization to recover from a broken hand before a national championship. He visualized the weight training he was doing on his uninjured side, transferring the resistance to his injured hand, and was able to compete at a high level despite the injury. This demonstrates the power of intense visualization to create real-world results.
Translating techniques learned from martial arts to less obvious activities (like investing).
- Simulating real-world experiences in less obvious activities, like investing, requires a deep understanding of the difference between intellectual knowledge and somatic knowledge. Somatic knowledge involves a physiological response, like the adrenal response experienced during a stressful event. To simulate this, one needs to learn how to induce and manage physiological states, moving between coherence and extreme stress.
- This process involves cultivating empathy and the ability to experience another person's experience profoundly. This can be achieved through techniques like biofeedback training, which helps individuals learn to control their physiological responses. By simulating the anxiety, pain, and shattering of previous beliefs experienced during a bear market, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of such events.
- The foundation for this type of learning lies in practices like intense meditation, mindfulness, and cultivating a less reactive lifestyle. These practices help individuals become more attuned to subtle physiological changes within themselves, allowing them to observe and understand the nuances of their own and others' emotional states. This heightened awareness enables individuals to better perceive and respond to the subtle shifts in market conditions and other complex situations.
Building slack into the system.
- Building slack into the system is crucial for personal and professional growth. This "slack" allows for space for reflection, learning, and the development of ideas. It also enables individuals to be more receptive to others and to cultivate a deeper understanding of their work.
- Efficiency can be detrimental to growth if it comes at the expense of internal work. Pushing for efficiency can lead to a loss of quality and the ability to navigate the "Razor's Edge" of high-level performance. This is because it limits the time and space needed for reflection, internal processing, and the development of embodied understanding.
- Embodied understanding is essential for high-level performance. This involves being able to "read" the subtle cues of others and to respond with the appropriate level of support and guidance. This requires a state of being that is cultivated through practices like meditation and reflection, which are often sacrificed in the pursuit of efficiency.
Scarcity in the learning process.
- The principle of scarcity in learning and creative processes involves focusing on the most essential elements rather than overwhelming oneself with excessive resources. This approach emphasizes quality over quantity, leading to a more potent and focused learning experience.
- Applying scarcity in habit creation means focusing on a limited number of goals at a time, ideally one theme with two or three related actions. This allows for deeper engagement and mastery before expanding to new areas.
- The principle of scarcity can be applied to various aspects of life, from personal development to business. Examples include limiting inputs in creative processes, setting constraints on production, and focusing on the most critical areas for improvement.
- A key aspect of applying scarcity in the creative process is identifying and focusing on the most important question related to the current work. This involves a daily routine of reflecting on the most potent direction, posing the question to the unconscious mind, and brainstorming upon waking.
- By consistently reflecting on the most important question and deconstructing the gap between past and present understanding, individuals can train themselves to become increasingly potent in their creative endeavors. This process involves identifying underlying assumptions and addressing blind spots, ultimately leading to a more focused and effective approach.
Josh's daily journaling process.
- Josh journals throughout the day, starting with a session after his morning meditation and cold shower. He also journals after client sessions to capture key takeaways.
- He uses Evernote for his journaling and tags everything thematically. This allows him to easily access resources and insights related to specific themes, overcoming recency bias and ensuring he communicates from a foundational understanding.
- Thematic tagging is incredibly powerful for Josh, enabling him to provide clients with relevant resources and insights. It also helps him review his own ideas without being influenced by recent information.
Thematic interconnectedness in the context of education.
- Thematic interconnectedness is a key concept in learning and life. Josh Waitzkin, a chess grandmaster and martial arts expert, emphasizes the importance of seeing connections between different disciplines and experiences. He believes that learning one skill can enhance understanding in other areas, even seemingly unrelated ones.
- The "race to the bottom" and "swapping boards" metaphors illustrate this interconnectedness. Waitzkin uses the example of stand-up paddle surfing to explain how pushing oneself to new limits (the "race to the bottom") and trying different approaches (swapping boards) can lead to breakthroughs. This applies to various fields, including investment management, where teams could benefit from sharing ideas and perspectives.
- The Art of Learning Project aims to foster thematic interconnectedness in education. Waitzkin's non-profit organization works with schools to help children understand how principles of learning, creativity, and performance psychology apply across different subjects. By studying the same principle in math, English, history, and even sports, students break down barriers between disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the world.
The Art of Learning Project.
- The Art of Learning Project is a non-profit organization that offers programs designed to enhance learning experiences for students. Their website, artoflearningproject.org, provides information about these programs.
- The organization is currently seeking educators interested in launching high-level, thematically driven programs. Educators interested in applying can contact Katie at katy@jwfoundation.com.
- The Art of Learning Project focuses on fostering creativity and interconnectedness in learning by encouraging collaboration between teachers from different disciplines. This approach aims to help students see connections between various subjects and apply their knowledge in multiple contexts.
Parting thoughts.
- Josh Waitzkin emphasizes the importance of cultivating mindfulness and stillness as a way of life. He believes that in a world filled with noise and distraction, finding inner peace and presence is crucial for personal growth and nurturing relationships. He highlights the detrimental effects of anxiety, lack of attachment, and absence of attunement in children and adults, advocating for a deeper connection and presence in our interactions.
- Waitzkin shares his personal experience with breath-hold work and the importance of safety. He cautions against practicing such techniques in or near water, emphasizing the potential risks involved, especially for individuals with Type A personalities. He also emphasizes the value of learning from personal experiences, particularly those that push us to our limits, and the transformative power of love, gratitude, and beauty.
- Waitzkin and Tim Ferriss discuss the significance of cultivating stillness and presence as a habit. They agree that it's not a one-time event but a continuous practice that requires consistent effort. They both advocate for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines, similar to brushing teeth, and highlight the benefits of regular practice, even for short durations.