E2: Happiness, Meditation & Weird Wins

Oct 15, 2017 44m 55s 14 insights
Host Stephen Bartlett shares personal diary entries, exploring the pursuit of happiness over fleeting pleasure, navigating team departures, the moral complexities of philanthropy, the power of embracing 'weird' actions, and the value of meditation for presence.
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Happiness Over Pleasure

Recognize that money and material possessions provide fleeting pleasure, not lasting happiness. True happiness is a constant feeling of contentment and fulfillment, not dependent on future attainment.

2. Practice Daily Gratitude

Attain happiness by cultivating a grateful perspective for who you are, what you own, and the people around you right now, as you cannot be grateful and wanting at the same time.

3. Gratitude Fuels Growth

Actively practicing gratitude for what you currently possess, whether money or relationships, will lead to their growth because you will appreciate, save, invest, and nurture them more effectively.

4. Forgive to Free Yourself

Practice forgiveness by letting go of negativity, resentment, and grudges towards others or situations, as these feelings only weigh you down and prevent your own peace.

5. Embrace Difficult Short-Term Choices

As a leader, make courageous, tough short-term decisions to protect the company and its team, preventing even harder, long-term consequences like the company’s failure.

6. Develop Yourself to Help Others

Focus on developing your own skills, understanding, and influence first, as this will better position you to make a significant positive impact on the world and help a larger number of people later.

7. Embrace “Weird” Actions

Do not shy away from unusual or ‘weird’ actions, even if others judge you, because operating differently is what leads to exceptional and unique results that conformists cannot achieve.

8. Seek Intentional Struggle

Actively embrace and endure struggle, stress, and pain on purpose, as it is the only way for humans to grow and achieve significant accomplishments, much like muscle development.

9. Meditate to Be Present

Practice meditation to bring your mind to the present moment, especially if you’re prone to anxiety about the future or dwelling on the past, as being present is key to finding peace.

10. Practice Present Moment Awareness

When your mind wanders to the past or future, consciously bring your attention back to a simple sensory experience in the present, like observing leaves or feeling the wind, to achieve peace.

11. Be Authentic in Storytelling

When sharing your story, be authentic, honest, and show your ‘second dimension’ (unfiltered reality) because it resonates powerfully with others who also have that dimension in their lives.

12. Release Control, Avoid Resentment

When people leave your business or life, avoid trying to control the situation or holding resentment, as this will only lead to personal struggle and prevent you from finding peace.

13. Uphold Business Culture & Values

Do not compromise your company’s core culture, values, and objectives to suit individuals, as these are foundational elements that define your business and ensure its integrity.

14. Cultivate Self-Sufficiency in Happiness

Strive to be happy and content on your own, as this self-sufficiency makes you a more stable partner in relationships, not seeking others to fulfill your happiness.