ThMosteople can relate to the habit of inferiority, even if they’ve never heard it called by that name. It’s the idea that we’ve become accustomed to mediocrity and don’t push ourselves to our fullest potential. Most of us are content to operate at a certain level, and we don’t even realize that there’s more we could be doing.
Harvard psychologist William James originally coined this idea at the turn of the 20th century. He observed that most people didn’t tap into their full potential and attributed this to the fact that they’re stuck in the habit of inferiority. They operate at a mediocre level, and they never push beyond it.
The problem with this habit is that our bodies become accustomed to a certain level of performance. We’re designed to work at a much higher level, but we’ve trained ourselves to accept less. This is where the idea of the third and fourth winds comes in. Most people don’t realize that they have more in them and never tap into their full potential.
The Art of Impossible, a book by Steven Kotler, dives into this concept and how to break free from it. The book is inspired by the work of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who believed that we all have the potential to become “supermen” – the best versions of ourselves.
Nietzsche believed that this state of being required a few key steps. First, we must break free from the weight of culture and society that holds us back. This means rejecting the status quo and embracing our individuality.
Next, we have to push ourselves to our limits and beyond. This is where the habit of inferiority comes into play. We must recognize when settling for less than we can and push ourselves to new heights.
Finally, we must tap into our creativity and innovation to achieve what others might consider impossible. This is where becoming a “Superman” comes into play. It’s about using all of our faculties – our physical, emotional, and intellectual abilities – to achieve greatness.
Kotler’s book takes these principles and applies them to modern life. He provides a blueprint for how to break free from the habit of inferiority and achieve the impossible. He draws on the latest research in neuroscience and psychology to provide a roadmap for tapping into our full potential.
The book has received glowing reviews, with many readers reporting that it resonated deeply with them. It’s a powerful reminder that we all have the potential to achieve greatness, but it requires us to break free from our habits and push ourselves to new heights.
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut and wondering if there’s more to life than you’re currently experiencing, The Art of Impossible might be just what you need. It’s a powerful call to action to break free from the habit of inferiority and tap into your full potential as a human being. Who knows – you might just become a “Superman.”
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Summary of Transcript:
In the YouTube video, author Steven Cutler talks about his book “The Art of Impossible” and the concept of the habit of inferiority, which is the idea that most people become used to performing at a mediocre level. Harvard psychologist William James coined this term in 1901 and believed humans are designed to work at much greater speed and efficiency. Cutler also discusses philosopher Nietzsche’s ideas on becoming the best version of oneself, which involves breaking away from restrictive cultural norms and striving for self-actualization through innovative, creative expression.
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Summary of Description:
In this episode, Steven Kotler, a NY Times bestselling author and expert on flow state and peak performance, shares his insights on achieving greatness. Kotler explains that being a high achiever comes with challenges, but tapping into a flow state can make tasks feel effortless. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, goal-setting, and staying focused in the present moment. Kotler also discusses the role of dopamine in achieving goals and taking risks and encourages listeners to strive for personal greatness rather than settling for mediocrity.
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Source Description
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On Today’s Episode:
Being a high achiever comes with many challenges, and there are so many insights into optimizing for success with your time, your performance, and even your neurochemistry. When you can get into a state of flow, the tasks that require your focus to achieve higher levels of success become almost effortless.
Do you know how to tap into the flow at will and achieve peak performance?
When it comes to studying flow, peak performance, both mental and physical, and the neurobiology of doing the impossible, Steven Kotler is at the top with the Flow Research Collective. Steven is NY Times bestselling author with two Pulitzer Prize nominations and over a dozen books, all worth reading.
Steven shares his research and insights into The Art of Impossible in this episode. From unpacking the habit of inferiority to why “Never Trust Dopamine” is a thing, Steven knocks out of the park on how to flow state, goal setting, and the pursuit of greatness are all tied into achieving the unachievable.
Stop settling for mediocrity and start moving toward your greatness.
Check out the Art of Impossible: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Impossible-Peak-Performance-Primer/dp/0062977539.
QUOTES:
“We’ve gotten used to performing at a mediocre level, and that’s what we expect, […] when you level set at mediocre, it will take extraordinary amounts of motivation and energy to get up to super expert.”
“Self-awareness is an art form.”
“Psychology is a metaphor for neurobiology.”
“Passion is the intersection of multiple curiosities.”
“Flow follows focus; it only shows up when all of our attention is in the right here right now.”
“We are goal-directed creatures. We are either shaped by our fears or our goals.”
“Goal setting is both about driving motivation and filtering reality. Our goals filter our reality.”
“As a journalist, you’re taught that the best room to be in is where you’re the dumbest.”
“Being in a good mood is one of the best hacks for creativity.”
“When you’re in flow, risk-taking is up, and long-term planning is down, […] have big dreams in flow, but verify them in reality.”
“I’m not saying I don’t learn the weird ass sh*t but know this is the line, and once you step over it, it’s an open question.”
Follow Steven Kotler:
Website: https://www.stevenkotler.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/steven_kotler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenkotler/
