E14: John Vincent - Building A Restaurant Empire

Apr 9, 2018 52m 15s 12 insights
This introspective conversation with John Vincent, co-founder and CEO of Leon, explores how he navigates immense business stress, deals with personal loss, and finds meaning beyond material success. He shares Taoist and Zen philosophies for presence and challenges conventional views on happiness and entrepreneurship.
Actionable Insights

1. Embrace Reassuring Insignificance

Recognize that you are as low as water, like a wave not separate from the ocean, and ultimately insignificant. This perspective helps alleviate mental ill-health caused by believing one is special or disconnected.

2. Practice Daily “Dying”

Adopt the Taoist philosophy of “dying every day” by recognizing that nothing is of ultimate value and acting as if you are dead. This allows you to re-evaluate and focus only on the absolutely critical things, such as the act of breathing.

3. Cultivate Present Moment Happiness

Do not defer happiness to future occurrences, money, fame, or external recognition. Instead, root yourself in the present moment, finding fulfillment in the practice itself rather than the outcome.

4. Reframe Business Purpose

Shift the primary purpose of business from making money to a noble cause that supports life and fulfillment (e.g., “eat and live well”). Financial sustainability then becomes a prerequisite for sustaining the good, not the ultimate objective.

5. Prioritize Self-Liking Over Wealth

Focus on being able to sleep at night and facing yourself in the mirror with comfort, as this ability to “face yourself” (Ju Jing) does not come from money. Beyond a certain threshold, more money does not buy happiness and can even have a negative impact.

6. Guard Against Advertising Manipulation

Understand that advertising often manipulates fear to sell solutions (e.g., dandruff, sweat). Separate yourself from these images and impressions, and do not let your ego be manipulated by such messages.

7. Judge Actions by Others’ Insecurities

When dealing with hate or criticism, remember that your angry response often stems from your own fear. Instead, try to understand that others’ negative actions are often driven by their insecurities, not yours.

8. Utilize Physical Meditation for Presence

Practice physical-based meditation, such as consciously walking and breathing away from devices, or observing nature (a tree, a bush, an insect). This synchronizes body and mind, helping you become present.

9. Accept Unattainable Potential

Embrace the understanding that you will never fully “get there” or reach your ultimate potential. Instead, recognize that the journey itself is the destination, and you are already enough and have everything you want and need.

10. Redefine Entrepreneurship

View entrepreneurship as imaginatively creating new opportunities and innovating, which can be done within any role (intrapreneurship), not just by starting a company. Avoid confusing admiration for others with personal aspiration, and strive to be the best version of yourself, not a second-rate version of someone else.

11. Build Relationships of Equals

Seek a partner with their own confidence, interests, and strength of character to create a partnership of equals. Understand that a partner will love you holistically, accepting both the rewarding and frustrating aspects, and embrace a lack of perfectionism in relationships.

12. Discipline Work-Life Boundaries

Actively work to prevent business life from polluting home life, as constant mental engagement with work problems can strain personal relationships. Implement practical measures like locking away your phone or clearing work items from your personal space.