Lessons From 50 Of The Worlds Greatest Minds with Jake Humphrey | E59

Introduction

In this section, Stephen Bartlett introduces the guest for the episode, Jake Humphreys. He talks about Jake's background and experience as an entrepreneur, TV presenter, and podcaster. The focus of the episode is to compare notes on high-performance people from different industries.

Introducing Jake Humphreys

• Stephen Bartlett introduces Jake Humphreys as a returning guest who has spent the last year interviewing high-performance people from various industries on his podcast.

• The goal of this episode is to compare notes on what they have learned from their guests.

Key Lessons Learned

• Stephen asks Jake about the key lessons he has learned from interviewing high-performance athletes, actors, authors, and other accomplished individuals.

• One key lesson that stood out was "don't leave crumbs," which means making decisions that won't lead to regret later on.

Learning From Mistakes

• Successful people make more mistakes than others because they are constantly challenging themselves.

• The podcast aims to show that even successful people mess up all the time and learn from their mistakes.

Lessons From High Performance People

In this section, Stephen and Jake discuss some of the key themes and lessons they have learned from interviewing high-performance individuals. They talk about how these lessons can be applied in everyday life.

Don't Leave Crumbs

• "Don't leave crumbs" means making decisions that won't lead to regret later on.

• This lesson applies not only to big business decisions but also small everyday choices like choosing your clothes or not having an extra drink.

Addressing Weaknesses

• It's important to be honest with yourself about your weaknesses and address them instead of ignoring them.

• For example, if you're always late, make it a priority to work on being punctual.

Learning From Mistakes

• Successful people make more mistakes than others because they are constantly challenging themselves.

• The podcast aims to show that even successful people mess up all the time and learn from their mistakes.

Conclusion

In this section, Stephen talks about some negative feedback he has received about the podcast and how it's important to understand that high-performance individuals also make mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of learning from these mistakes.

Addressing Negative Feedback

• Stephen has received negative feedback about the podcast being too focused on celebrating success during a global pandemic.

• He wants listeners to understand that high-performance individuals also make mistakes and face challenges.

Learning From Mistakes

• It's important to learn from your mistakes instead of dwelling on them or ignoring them.

• Successful people make more mistakes than others because they are constantly challenging themselves.

Lombardi Time

In this section, the speakers discuss the concept of "Lombardi Time" and how it relates to being early. They also talk about blind spots and how they can affect a person emotionally.

The Concept of Lombardi Time

• "Lombardi Time" refers to being 10 minutes early.

• This concept is named after Vince Lombardi, a famous American football coach known for his winning record.

• Former England rugby players are familiar with this term and its meaning.

Dealing with Blind Spots

• Everyone has blind spots that can be difficult to overcome.

• Blind spots can cause recurring problems for some people.

• It's important to recognize that no one is perfect.

Emotional Response to Blind Spots

• The speaker admits to beating themselves up over their own blind spots.

• Being your own biggest critic is a common phrase.

• However, the speaker has become less critical of themselves over time.

Focusing on the Good Stuff

In this section, the speakers discuss focusing on positive experiences rather than dwelling on failures. They also talk about changing mindsets and attitudes towards failure.

Focusing on Positive Experiences

• The speaker used to focus solely on negative aspects of their work when starting out in their career.

• David Coulthard helped change their mindset by emphasizing the importance of discussing both good and bad aspects during production meetings.

• The speaker now focuses more on positive experiences and what makes them feel fantastic.

Changing Attitudes Towards Failure

• There is an obsession with failure in society today, which can lead to a fear of failing or not wanting to fail at all costs.

• The speaker used to embrace failure as a way to grow and learn.

• However, they now want to focus more on the good stuff and see how that changes their mindset.

Detachment from Failure

In this section, the speakers discuss detachment from failure and taking ownership of decisions. They also talk about remaining calm in chaotic situations.

Detachment from Failure

• The other speaker is detached from failure and sees it as if they are playing a video game.

• This detachment allows them to remain calm in chaotic situations.

• They take absolute ownership of their decisions, which gives them power over the outcome.

Remaining Calm in Chaotic Situations

• The speaker also tries to remain calm in chaotic situations by detaching themselves emotionally.

• They believe that emotional detachment allows them to take responsibility for changing the situation without feeling like they will die.

• This mindset has helped them form a sense of calm within chaos.

Dealing with Problems

In this section, the speaker talks about how to deal with problems and make rational decisions.

Holding Problems Out in Front

• When faced with a problem, one can choose to either become consumed by it or hold it out in front.

• Holding problems out in front allows for a more rational perspective and thinking in terms of probabilities.

• Making decisions based on probabilities of the outcome leads to good decision-making.

Example of Rational Decision-Making

• A friend's marketing agency had clients' passwords exposed to an outside individual.

• The probability of harm from the exposure was less than 1%.

• Calling all clients and telling them about the leak would have a greater probability of harm than less than 1%.

• Emailing clients to turn on two-factor authentication reduces the probability of harm to zero.

Importance of Perspective

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having perspective when dealing with anxiety and irrational fears.

Irrational Fear of Imminent Disaster

• The speaker has always had an irrational fear of imminent disaster since childhood.

• Even as an adult, he still experiences anxiety when his kids are out of sight or when receiving unexpected messages/calls.

• He acknowledges that his fears are unfounded but recognizes that having perspective is crucial.

Having Perspective

• Knowing oneself and recognizing one's tendencies is powerful in gaining perspective.

• Acknowledging irrational fears and holding them out in front can help think rationally and avoid becoming consumed by emotions.

Taking Responsibility for Anxiety

In this section, the speaker talks about taking responsibility for their anxiety and how they are still learning to manage it even at 42 years old. They also discuss a recent experience with claustrophobia in an elevator.

Anxiety and Responsibility

• The speaker discusses taking responsibility for their anxiety.

• They mention being a bit claustrophobic and recently having an experience in an elevator that made them anxious.

• The speaker mentions finding external criticism difficult to deal with.

Positive Intentions

• The speaker expresses their desire for their podcast to be a positive experience for listeners.

• They mention that the success of the podcast is due to everyone involved believing in its positive message.

• The speaker emphasizes that they are not doing the podcast solely for financial gain.

Self-Acceptance

• The speaker talks about knowing oneself as being powerful and necessary for self-love.

• They mention friends messaging them after listening to an interview with Johnny Wilkinson, discussing his transformation from rugby player to different person.

Winning vs Washing Up

In this section, the speaker discusses an interview with Johnny Wilkinson where he talks about winning versus doing household chores like washing up.

Rugby World Cup vs Washing Up

• The speaker discusses an interview with Johnny Wilkinson where he talked about winning the Rugby World Cup versus doing household chores like washing up.

• Wilkinson argues that both activities involve moving your body to achieve a goal and should be valued equally.

The Importance of Happiness in Success

In this section, the speaker talks about how he used to believe that hard work and struggle were necessary for success. However, he has since realized that happiness is a more important factor in achieving success.

Changing Views on Struggle and Sacrifice

• Stressing, struggling, sacrificing, and failing leads to more stress and struggle.

• The idea that you have to struggle to be successful is wrong.

• Detaching happiness from hard work and sacrifice is important.

• The most successful people worked hard but it doesn't necessarily mean they are happier.

Redefining Success

• Success can be being a great parent or finding happiness in other areas of life.

• Happiness should be the ultimate goal of success.

Being Present

• Being present in the moment is crucial for happiness and success.

• Detaching from past events or future expectations allows one to focus on the present moment.

Selfish Exercise?

• The podcast has rewritten the way the speaker sees the world and operates.

• The speaker hopes his children will listen to these episodes if something happens to him.

Maintaining Relationships

In this section, the speaker talks about how maintaining relationships has always been an issue for him. He explains that he failed his A-levels and had to redo them while his friends went off to university. As a result, he found it difficult to maintain those friendships. Additionally, he discusses how being present in the moment can make it challenging to invest in relationships.

Struggles with Maintaining Relationships

• The speaker struggled with maintaining relationships because he failed his A-levels and had to redo them while his friends went off to university.

• He only has a few close friends, some of whom are people he's met through work or on his street.

• The speaker suggests that maybe we don't need to hold onto people for too long and that it's okay for people to come and go from our lives.

Being Present vs Investing in Relationships

• The speaker explains that being totally present in one part of your world can make it challenging to invest in relationships.

• He admits that he is always too invested in the thing that he's doing at the moment, which makes it difficult for him to prioritize investing in relationships.

Finding Happiness

In this section, the speaker talks about happiness and how society often tells us what we should do in order to be happy. However, he emphasizes that being happy should be the ultimate goal and discusses how having multiple projects on the go makes him happy.

Prioritizing Happiness

• The speaker suggests that society often tells us what we should do in order to be happy (e.g., have lots of friends, own a nice car), but being happy should be the ultimate goal.

• He emphasizes that the very flame of success should be happiness and that it should be the crux of everything we do.

Finding Happiness in Work

• The speaker loves what he does and finds happiness in having multiple projects on the go.

• He mentions a story about Matthew McConaughey cutting off two of his big businesses because he wanted to give more attention to three things and be an A in those areas.

Success vs Happiness

In this section, the speaker discusses how success and happiness are often thought to be mutually exclusive. However, he argues that they can coexist and talks about guests on his podcast who seem to prioritize success over happiness.

Success vs Happiness

• The speaker suggests that success and happiness are not mutually exclusive.

• He mentions guests on his podcast who seem to prioritize success over happiness, such as Sean Wayne, who is driven by a deep-seated desire to make other people's lives better.

Aspirations for the Future

In this section, the speaker talks about his aspirations for the future and how he wants to sell his company for five billion.

Selling for Five Billion

• The speaker expresses his desire to sell his company for five billion in the future.

• When asked why he wants to sell it for that amount, he explains that it's what they should be doing.

• He attributes this drive to an early childhood experience where his father criticized him and didn't give him praise.

Obsessive Desire

In this section, the speaker discusses how early experiences can drive an obsessive desire to succeed.

Childhood Experiences

• The speaker explains that childhood experiences can drive an obsessive desire to succeed.

• He shares a personal experience of buying his first car and how it was the biggest thrill of his life.

• He notes that successful people often have something from their past that went wrong and drove them into an obsessive state.

Enjoying the Journey

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey towards success rather than just focusing on material successes.

Material Successes

• The speaker reflects on his current material successes as a successful TV presenter with investments and a production company.

• However, he notes that nothing has come close to spending less than 10 grand on a green mgf car.

• He emphasizes that one must enjoy the journey towards success because achieving goals is not as good as one thinks it would be.

Thrill of Journey vs. Money in Bank Account

In this section, the speaker discusses whether money or experiencing a journey is more thrilling.

Thrill of Journey vs. Money in Bank Account

• The speaker reflects on whether having money in the bank or experiencing a journey is more thrilling.

• He notes that the thrill came from his journey towards success and not just having money in the bank.

• He emphasizes that it's important to have bad times to appreciate good times and that traumas and difficult experiences can equip one for life.

Importance of Perspective

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of perspective when reflecting on one's struggles.

Importance of Perspective

• The speaker acknowledges his privilege as a middle-class white guy from a lovely village in Norfolk.

• He shares an interview with CEO Khaleesi, who grew up in deep poverty in South Africa and experienced hunger and tragedy at a young age.

• He emphasizes that everyone has their own struggles, but it's important to have perspective when reflecting on them.

Burnout and Passion

In this section, the speakers discuss burnout and passion. They explore whether burnout is inevitable if you are doing something that you don't love and how passion can prevent burnout.

Burnout and Passion

• Burnout is somewhat inevitable if you're doing things that you don't intrinsically love doing.

• Passion is everything. People who have been successful and love what they're doing are full of passion.

• To find your passion, look at all the things that are not you. Identify the people, activities, or situations that drain your energy.

• With real passion, burnout is unlikely because every day feels fulfilling.

Finding Your Passion

In this section, the speakers discuss finding your passion. They explore how to identify your passions by looking at what energizes you and what doesn't.

Identifying Your Passions

• To find your passion, look at all the things that are not you. Identify the people, activities, or situations that drain your energy.

• You can have multiple passions. Look for things that energize you rather than searching aimlessly for a singular thing.

• It's better to hang out with no one than someone you don't like.

Professional Relationships

In this section, the speaker discusses his preference for professional relationships and how he deals with people who behave poorly.

Distant vs. Intense Professional Relationships

• The speaker prefers to have distant professional relationships where people send occasional texts and never see each other socially.

• He dislikes when people suggest meeting up for coffee or socializing but then disappear for months.

• The speaker wants meaningful relationships with people, but they can be from a distance or super intense.

Dealing with Arrogant People

• The speaker recalls an experience with a celebrity food personality who was rude to him on a plane.

• He believes it's important to call out bad behavior but not in an arrogant way.

• The speaker has called out someone's unacceptable behavior twice in his presenting career, and both times the person apologized.

Personal Growth

• As a parent, the speaker wants his kids to operate in a world where they can be themselves and not be bullied or pushed around.

• He can now hold his chin up and say that certain behaviors are not acceptable.

• The speaker has had experiences where he admired someone but later found out they were not as great as he thought.

The Power of Positivity

In this section, the speaker talks about how one person leaving a business doesn't break it and how we have the power to make the world positive and happy despite all the issues. He also discusses his frustration with people who spread negativity and criticism.

The Importance of Radiating Positive Energy

• One person leaving a business doesn't break it.

• We have the power to make the world positive and happy by radiating positive energy.

• Frustration with people who spread negativity and criticism.

• Radiate positivity to your immediate circle, lift them up, and be helpful.

The Benefits of Being Helpful

• Helping everyone you encounter can make them more helpful in return.

• Criticism and negativity have no benefit.

• Comparison is innate in human nature but should not lead to jealousy or hate.

Life as a Graph

In this section, the speaker talks about life as a graph where you never know where it will take you. He emphasizes not worrying about where other people are on that graph because it might change over time.

Life as a Graph

• Life is like a graph; you never know where it will take you.

• Don't worry about where other people are on that graph because it might change over time.

• Hate comes from jealousy feelings caused by comparison, which is often fueled by social media platforms like Instagram.

Excitement of Life's Uncertainty

• You are only one step away from a phone call where someone goes, "Hey guess what?" and your graph goes up.

• Life's uncertainty is one of the most exciting things about this world.

Sharing Real Life on Social Media

In this section, the speaker discusses the pressure to present a perfect life on social media and the importance of sharing real-life moments.

Pressure to Present a Perfect Life

• The speaker shares how he posted a photo of his family having breakfast at a hotel and received messages from people saying that his life always looks perfect.

• He reflects on why he chose to share only the positive moment instead of being honest about the stressful hour they had before breakfast.

• The speaker notes that many people on Instagram only show their best moments, but there is now a demand for more realness.

Importance of Sharing Real-Life Moments

• The speaker explains that building a personal brand requires being comfortable with showing real-life moments, like Christian who shares her struggles with her audience.

• He realizes that he needs to share more of his truth on Instagram in order to form deeper connections with his audience and help others overcome their problems.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

In this section, the speaker discusses intermittent fasting and its benefits.

Intermittent Fasting

• The speaker mentions that he drinks Huel because he is trying to intermittently fast after seeing other people's six-packs on social media.

• He wants to share more of his truth on Instagram in order to help others overcome their problems.

The Power of Podcasting

In this section, the speaker talks about how doing a podcast has been a revelation for him. He compares it to his job as a football presenter and discusses the difference in engagement and feedback he receives.

Benefits of Podcasting

• As a football presenter, he is there to facilitate former pros and make them look good. However, with podcasting, he has created a genuine conversation connection and community.

• The depth of messages received through podcasting is different from other channels like Instagram. People share their stories in-depth.

• The speaker admits that part of the thrill of podcasting is seeing the response and reaction from listeners. He shares some examples of how his podcast has impacted people's lives.

Emotional Moments on the Podcast

• The speaker mentions Sean Wayne's interview where he talked about being physically abused by his parent but still managed to help others throughout his life.

• All guests who have moved him emotionally are those who talk about life rather than their profession.

Tips for Starting a Podcast

In this section, the speaker gives tips for starting a successful podcast based on his experience.

Tips for Starting a Successful Podcast

• Just go for it! Ownership is one thing that sets podcasts apart from other channels.

• Ask yourself what you really want to do with your podcast. Avoid typical talking points with guests.

• Be consistent with your content and release schedule.

• Don't worry too much about equipment. Focus on the content and connection with your audience.

Starting a Podcast

In this section, the speaker talks about his desire to speak to elite performers and thinkers and how he decided to start a podcast. He also discusses the challenges of starting a podcast and offers advice on how to overcome them.

Starting a Podcast

• The speaker wanted to speak with elite performers and thinkers, so he decided to start a podcast.

• Initially, the speaker was hesitant because there are already many podcasts out there.

• A friend encouraged him by reminding him that when television was invented, there were already many channels and programs, but people still found success in that industry.

• The biggest challenge is starting; many people overthink it and paralyze themselves with procrastination.

• Consistency is key; don't expect instant success or gratification.

Becoming a Broadcaster

In this section, the speaker talks about how technology has made it easier for anyone to become a broadcaster. He encourages people to pursue their passions and reminds them that they don't need all the answers before they start.

Pursuing Your Passion

• Technology has made it easier than ever for anyone to become a broadcaster.

• People should pursue their passions because someone has to do every job in 20 years' time.

• Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and podcasts allow people to build an audience around their passion.

• Don't just talk about your journey; find your niche or unique angle.

Tips for Asking for Help

In this section, the speaker shares his advice on how to ask for help and make a specific request. He emphasizes the importance of being passionate and showing evidence that you have done your research on the person you are asking for help.

Specific Request

• The speaker advises making a specific request when asking for help.

• He suggests exploring a particular area with the person by talking about their inspiration, upbringing, and how they first got into broadcasting.

• The speaker prefers having deep conversations about real topics such as how hard it is to concentrate on football when there are many people criticizing you on social media or how much of a difference it makes to have a crowd at Old Trafford inspiring and driving you on.

Evidence of Research

• The speaker stresses the importance of showing evidence that you have done your research on the person you are asking for help.

• He mentions that most successful people know how to ask someone for something they don't have a clear incentive to give them.

• The speaker believes that often people get respect just by asking questions in the right way.

Time Management

• The speaker acknowledges that he receives many requests from people who want 10 minutes of his time.

• He encourages people not to expect others to be perfect and reminds them that everyone struggles at some point in their journey.

• The speaker mentions that he mentors many people every day, including his employees at Social Chain.

Invisible PR

• The speaker talks about invisible PR and how giving someone a few minutes of your time can have a significant impact on their life.

• He gives an example of a person who he gave 10 seconds of his time, and now that person is excluded from the process of deciding who hosts the food channel.

The Value of Giving Time

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the value of giving time to people who ask for help. He believes that even if you don't see the impact in the moment, it will show up when it matters most.

Snowball Effect

• The speaker gives an example of how giving someone a few minutes of your time can lead to a snowball effect.

• He mentions that someone might set up their own business or do something inspiring because you gave them inspiration or advice.

Invisible PR

• The speaker talks about invisible PR again and how you never see the value in the moment but when it matters most.

• He gives an example of how someone he gave 10 seconds to is now excluded from deciding who hosts a food channel.

Mentoring

• The speaker mentions that he mentors many people every day, including his employees at Social Chain.

• He encourages people not always to look for instant value but instead focus on helping others.

Importance of Effort and Art of Asking

In this section, Steven Bartlett talks about the importance of putting in effort when seeking information or help from others. He also discusses the art of asking and how to stand out when reaching out to people.

Laziness in Seeking Information

• People often ask for information that can easily be found through a simple Google search.

• Lack of formality in social media communication has led to a decrease in quality of effort put into seeking information.

Importance of Effort

• Steven reflects on his past interactions with people and how he would sometimes come off as pushy or aggressive.

• Knowing how to ask is crucial, as everyone now has access to email or DM, but there's an art to standing out.

• Acknowledging someone's limited time and making an attempt to show that you've done your research can make a huge difference.

The Art of Asking

• When someone asks for information, they may be giving a compliment or may be nervous.

• Sending a voice note or acknowledging someone's limited time can help you stand out when reaching out for help.

Eyewear Brand Review

In this section, Steven Bartlett reviews an eyewear brand and shares his thoughts on their product.

Product Review

• Steven received sunglasses from an eyewear brand and admits that he usually looks weird in sunglasses.

• The sunglasses are stylish and comfortable, making him feel cool while wearing them.

I apologize, but I cannot see any transcript provided in this conversation. Please provide me with the transcript so that I can create a comprehensive and informative markdown file as per your requirements.

Being Consistently Relentless

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being consistently relentless in pursuing passion projects. He also acknowledges that it is still a male-dominated society and highlights the need to promote and celebrate female role models.

The Importance of Consistency

• Being consistently happy and relentless is key to success.

• Consistency is crucial for people to understand what you're about.

Female Role Models

• Women are less willing than men to come on podcasts about high achievement.

• The tops of industries are dominated by men, making it challenging to find inspirational female leaders.

• We need to keep lifting up female role models and pushing them to the top.

• The podcast has had brilliant female leaders as guests, but it's still a challenge compared to male leaders lining up.

Promoting Black Men and Women in Society

In this section, the speaker talks about promoting black men and women in society. He emphasizes that representation matters for children growing up in underrepresented areas.

Representation Matters

• We have to show little kids that they can get there no matter who they are or what their background is.

• Pushing black men and women into underrepresented areas will inspire the next generation.

Themes of Success

In this section, the speakers discuss how themes of success are consistent across different individuals. They also talk about how past experiences can shape one's mindset towards achieving success.

Consistent Themes of Success

• Themes of success are consistent across individuals.

• Consistency, discipline, and passion are some of the themes that make people successful.

Past Experiences

• Consistency and obsession with passion often come from past experiences that may not have gone right.

Personal Growth and Development

In this section, the speaker talks about how he has changed as a person over time and how he has learned to develop and adapt.

Learning, Changing, Developing, and Adapting

• The speaker reflects on how he is a different person now than before he started his podcast or worked with Coral Airways.

• Sometimes it takes a long time to achieve your dream job or opportunity in life.

• The speaker has gained a deeper understanding of how other people operate through his experiences. He had previously focused on his own journey of learning and setting up a business.