The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: Since 2015, Benjamin Hardy has been the #1 writer on Medium.com. He is pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Clemson University. Ben's writing focuses on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. His writing is fueled by his personal experiences, self-directed education, and formal education. Ben's work is read by millions of people every month.

Show Notes:

Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence?
- They continually put themselves in situations that demand a lot of them. They put themselves in high stakes situations
- They invest in themself
- They create conditions for success to happen
- Pianist John Burke (Grammy nominated)
  - He puts external pressure on himself ("I will release an album a year"). It forces him to get to work to fulfill those expectations he puts on himself
  - Being socially invested is a forcing function
  - Signing up for the race like Parker Mays -- A date on the calendar to prepare for. "If I don't prepare, I will fail miserably"
Why you should invest 10% of your income in your self
The best self improvement book Ben has ever read? Letting Go
"Willpower doesn't work." You must create the environment to be successful -- Upgrade your mindset
Self signaling - How you view yourself is not permanent. Start to alter your behavior, you start seeing yourself differently
You can shape your personality
How to upgrade yourself? -- "When you invest money, you are committed"
Why all high performers invest in a coach
Peak moments -- how to change your life for the better
Cal Newport - "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"
Investing in relationships (Jeff Goins and Ryan Holiday)
How to build a platform
- Learn marketing
  - Learn how to write viral headlines (Use numbers, matching, focused on outcomes)
  - Want To Become A Multi-Millionaire? Do These 15 Things Immediately
- Understand structure - subheadings, short/snappy sentences and paragraphs
  - Have a call to action at the end
  - Create a landing page for email capture
What is great writing?
- Be a good teacher: Communicate effectively. Convey & connect. Weave stories in and out: Story --> Science --> Story --> Science --> Story --> Science
- Head knowledge: Know your space.
- Have heart: Emotional rigor, intense stories
How to become a master of your craft
Your decisions determine your destiny
Visualize the process, not just the outcome
- Create environments for optimal implementation
- Pre plan for adversity to strike and how you will respond
Morning routine:
- Write in journal --> "Write it down, make it happen" --> Read --> Work out. Create momentum for yourself.

"Willpower doesn't work. You must create the environment for success to be achieved."

Social Media:

Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenjaminPHardy
Read: WILLPOWER DOESN'T WORK
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

247: Benjamin Hardy - The Best Self Improvement Book Of 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk