Podcast Episode 129

with our guest Steven Kotler

The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer with Steven Kotler

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning journalist. He is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, as well as the co-host of a podcast by the same name. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance and has appeared in over 100 publications. In addition, he has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes. In his latest book, The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer, which he calls “a practical playbook for impractical people,” he reveals the secret to his productivity: to lean into the challenge before you realize you’ve even done it.

Today, Steven joins me to expand on this principle. He discusses how stopping to think about the prospect of completing a task is the greatest obstacle to doing it. He talks about how beginning is the hardest part. He discusses curiosity, passion, and purpose, noting that with these most tasks don’t take more than twenty seconds of grit: the grit it takes to start. He mentions the three most important aspects of feedback on his writing, what defines a peak performer, and the importance of knowing where you’re going instead of just where you’re starting.

“Whenever the impossible becomes possible, there’s always a formula.” 

“Flow follows focus.”

“If it goes on the clear goals list, that’s a promise to get it done.”