1. Summary
2. Part 1: FREE YOUR MIND (Call to adventure)
2.1. 1. Becoming Limitless
2.1.1. If we learn how to learn, we will have unlimited access to learning new things.
2.1.2. Imagine yourself the hero in your own life's Hero's Journey (Joseph Cambell's classic plot structure found in nearly all adventures)
2.1.3. Jim's personal story of battling with childhood brain injury and his passion for sharing his methods
2.2. 2. Why this matters now
2.2.1. The "four horsemen" of our age. How technology can help, but also hinder.
2.2.1.1. 1. Digital Deluge
2.2.1.1.1. We consume more data in one day than someone in 1400s would in an entire lifetime.
2.2.1.1.2. We consume 3 times as much info as in the 1960s
2.2.1.1.3. Reuters article "Dying for information" - this causes overload, tension with colleagues, loss of job satisfaction, ill health, cancel of social activities, tiredness
2.2.1.2. 2. Digital Distraction
2.2.1.2.1. Always connected to devices - struggle to connect with friends and family
2.2.1.2.2. Struggling to stay focused at work
2.2.1.2.3. Daniel J Levitin in "The Organised Mind" says that multitasking (shifting attention on devises) causes the brain to burn through fuel too quickly, leaving us feeling exhausted and depleted
2.2.1.3. 3. Digital Dementia
2.2.1.3.1. We no longer memorise phone numbers etc, We look up information we should be able to remember.
2.2.1.3.2. The more we use our memories, the better they get.
2.2.1.4. 4. Digital Deduction
2.2.1.4.1. We go online and collate the opinions of others rather than critical thinking, problem solving and thinking creatively ourselves
2.3. 3. Your limitless brain
2.3.1. our brains generate 70,000 thoughts per day.
2.3.1.1. Our brains are not fixed. They are neuroplastic, they can be changed and shaped by our actions and environment.
2.3.1.1.1. Growing up in an unsupportive, stressful environment can breed resilience and other attributes that lead to success.
2.3.1.1.2. Physical evidence of London taxi drivers having larger posterior hippocampi due to memorising routes through city
2.3.1.1.3. People who have strokes have been able to rebuild and regain brain function using other areas of the brain
2.3.1.1.4. We can all rewire our brains and change our behaviours
2.3.1.2. Our gut is our "second brain"
2.3.1.2.1. It is called the enteric nervous system (ENS). It has 100 million nerve cells.
2.3.1.2.2. Uses same neurotransmitters as the brain (serotinin, dopamine, acetylcholine)
2.3.2. Sir Ken Robinson in "Creative Schools"
2.3.2.1. Education systems around the world are being driven by political and commercial interests
2.3.2.2. Misunderstand how people actually learn and damage people
2.3.2.3. Education hasn't changed to prepare us for the world we live in today
2.4. 4. How to read and remember this (and any) book
2.4.1. "Forgetting curve" we forget 50% of what we read in an hour and 70% in 24 hours.
2.4.1.1. Pomodoro technique by Francesco Cirillo
2.4.1.1.1. Optimal task time is 25 minutes followed by a 5 minute break. Each "chunk" is called a Pomodoro
2.4.1.1.2. We remember the beginnings and ending best, so by chunking learning, you remember more as you have more beginnings and endings.
2.4.1.2. Use the FASTER method
2.4.1.2.1. F for forget
2.4.1.2.2. A for act
2.4.1.2.3. S for state
2.4.1.2.4. T for teach
2.4.1.2.5. E for enter
2.4.1.2.6. R is review
3. Part 2: LIMITLESS MINDSET (Dispelling the 7 lies of learning)
3.1. The 7 lies of learning are:
3.1.1. 1. Intelligence is fixed
3.1.1.1. Story of Rae who felt that her daughter was "too young to learn". She tried to protect her from disappointment. She had a subtle, subconscious fixed mindset about her daughter's intelligence.
3.1.1.1.1. TRUTH: There are multiple types of intelligence. Intelligence is a combination of attitudes and actions, and is dependent on context. It's not how smart you are, it's how you are smart!
3.1.1.2. Many people believe IQ is fixed, this is not true. In addition, IQ does not measure creativity and practical or emotional intelligence.
3.1.2. 2. We only use 10% of our brains
3.1.2.1. This is a myth. Brain scans show all areas of our brains are always active, even when we sleep. There are no functionless areas of our brains
3.1.2.1.1. TRUTH: You have all the power of your brain available to you. We use all our brain, but some people use it better than others. The key is to learn how to use your brain as efficiently and effectively as possible.
3.1.2.2. Our brain occupy 2% of the space by weight, but uses 20% of our energy consumption.
3.1.3. 3. Mistakes are failures
3.1.3.1. Einstein was considered a "slow", below-average student. He made simple mathematical mistakes in some of his most important works. He said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new".
3.1.3.1.1. TRUTH: Mistakes don't mean failure, they are a sign that you are trying something new. Place mistakes under your feet and use them as stepping stones to rise to the next level.
3.1.3.2. Beth Comstock, vice chair of General Electric, author of Imagine if Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change, on subject of need for businesses to adapt, change and look at mistakes, not a failures, but major lessons to lead business forward.
3.1.4. 4. Knowledge is power
3.1.4.1. The phrase "knowledge is power" is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon. His words were captured by his secretary, Thomas Hobbes. The actual quote is, "The end of knowledge is power... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action, or thing to be done". This has a very different meaning as the emphasis is on ACTION.
3.1.4.1.1. TRUTH: Knowledge is not power, it only potential power. Knowledge needs to be put into action to have power.
3.1.5. 5. Learning new things is difficult
3.1.5.1. Many people have a very negative view of school and learning. This is true of Carol Greider an American molecular biologist who won the Nobel Prize in 2009. She is dyslexic and was made to feel stupid at school. She found other ways to make up for her disability by becoming a good problem solver.
3.1.5.1.1. TRUTH: It IS sometimes hard to learn, however when you have a process and know HOW to learn, it can be easier.
3.1.5.2. Approach learning like a stonecutter by being patient, having a positive attitude and being adaptive.
3.1.6. 6. The criticism of other people matters
3.1.6.1. When the Wright brothers made their first successful flights, the papers and media didn't report it because noted scientist said that it was impossible and journalists did not want to be humiliated.
3.1.6.1.1. Creating a life you want is scary, but regret is scarier. Don't let other people's opinions and expectations run or ruin your life.
3.1.6.2. The public imagination is underwhelming. Dont get put off.
3.1.7. 7. Genius is born, not made
3.1.7.1. Bruce Lee was a child with poor grades and a propensity for fighting. Through deep practice, ignition and master talent, he became a master teacher and philosopher.
3.1.7.1.1. TRUTH: There is always a method behind what looks like the magic of genius.
3.2. Mind Map Free - Free Mind Mapping Software | MindMeister
4. Part 3: LIMITLESS MOTIVATION (Revelation)
4.1. 1. Purpose
4.1.1. Simon Sinek book, Start with Why
4.1.1.1. People don't by what you do, they buy why you do it.
4.1.2. When setting goals, be SMART: Specifiic, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-based
4.1.3. Finding your passion is not about finding the right path or perfect career, it's about experimenting to see what ignites joy.
4.2. 2. Energy
4.2.1. 10 recommendations for limitless brain energy
4.2.1.1. 1. A good brain diet
4.2.1.1.1. Top 10 brain foods are avocadoes, blue berries, broccoli, dark chocolate, eggs, leafy green vegetables, oily fish (salmon, sardines), tumeric, walnuts, water
4.2.1.2. 2. Brain nutrients
4.2.1.2.1. Try get nutrients from whole, organic foods. Supplement if necessary
4.2.1.3. 3. Exercise
4.2.1.3.1. Exercise changes the brain in ways that protect memory and thinking skills
4.2.1.4. 4. Killing ANTS
4.2.1.4.1. ANTS are "automatic negative thoughts". If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.
4.2.1.5. 5. Clean environment
4.2.1.5.1. Air pollution causes 30 of strokes. It is also a risk factor for dementia.
4.2.1.6. 6. A positive peer group
4.2.1.6.1. We are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with
4.2.1.7. 7. Brain protection
4.2.1.7.1. Protect your brain from injury, especially from hard contact, extreme sports and don't speed.
4.2.1.8. 8. New learning
4.2.1.8.1. Keep learning, it keeps our brains supple and capable of processing new information
4.2.1.9. 9. Stress management
4.2.1.9.1. Stress can be debilitating to your brain so find ways to reduce stress
4.2.1.10. 10. Sleep
4.2.1.10.1. If you want better focus, you need better sleep. The brain uses sleep to clean and repair. Consistant exercise over a 16-week period helped study participants get as much as 1 hour 15 minutes extra sleep a night.
4.3. 3. Small simple steps
4.3.1. A task can seem overwhelming until broken into small steps. Incomplete tasks cause stress and anxiety.
4.3.1.1. Be kind to yourself
4.3.1.1.1. Guilt only exacerbates procrastination
4.3.1.2. Take baby steps
4.3.1.2.1. Make the first step something small and achievable. Build from there.
4.3.1.3. On autopilot
4.3.1.3.1. Small steps lead to habits. 40-50% of what we do each day is habit, so build good habits. Read James Clear Atomic Habits
4.3.1.4. Getting in the habit
4.3.1.4.1. Average of 66 days to form a new habit, so keep going! Replace bad habits with good (it's easier to start something than to stop something) from Dr Fogg - Fogg Behaviour Model
4.3.1.5. Growing your life one habit at a time
4.3.1.5.1. Establish a morning routine
4.4. 4. Flow
4.4.1. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book, Flow: The Pyschology of Optimal experience. Flow is a state in which people are so involved that nothing else seems to matter. It is so enjoyable, that you would do it even at great cost.
4.4.1.1. Characteristics of flow:
4.4.1.1.1. Absolute concentration
4.4.1.1.2. Total focus on goals
4.4.1.1.3. Sense of time speeding up or slowing down
4.4.1.1.4. Feeling of reward
4.4.1.1.5. Sense of effortlessness
4.4.1.1.6. Experience is challenging, but not overly so
4.4.1.1.7. Actions seem to happen on their own
4.4.1.1.8. Comfort with what you are doing
4.4.1.2. Stages of Flow from Steven Kotler's book The Rise of Superman
4.4.1.2.1. 1. Struggle
4.4.1.2.2. 2. Relaxation
4.4.1.2.3. 3. Flow
4.4.1.2.4. 4. Consolidation
4.4.1.3. How to find flow
4.4.1.3.1. 1. Eliminiate distractions
4.4.1.3.2. 2. Give yourself enough time
4.4.1.3.3. 3. Do something that you love
4.4.1.3.4. 4. Have clear goals
4.4.1.3.5. 5. Challenge yourself... a little
4.4.1.4. Conquering enemies of flow
4.4.1.4.1. 1. Multitasking
4.4.1.4.2. 2. Stress
4.4.1.4.3. 3. Fear of failure
4.4.1.4.4. 4. Lack of conviction
4.4.2. You are 5 times more productive in Flow, than on average
5. Part 4: LIMITLESS METHODS (Transformation)
5.1. 1. Focus
5.1.1. Calm your mind
5.1.1.1. Concentration is something you can get better at.
5.1.1.1.1. You can work at this at nearly any pursuit eg a conversation, reading. Try and do one thing at a time. Multitasking is grossly inefficient.
5.1.1.1.2. Declutter your physical environment.
5.1.1.1.3. Shut down other applications on computer
5.1.1.1.4. Julia Funt - "WhiteSpace" is the oxygen that allows everything else to catch fire
5.1.1.1.5. Gloria Mark, University of California study, shows 82% of interrupted work resumes on same day, but it takes on average 23 minutes to get back to task.
5.1.1.1.6. Meditation, yoga and some marital arts are beneficial
5.1.2. Breathing
5.1.2.1. 4-7-8 Method by Andrew Weil (repeat this four times)
5.1.2.1.1. Exhale through mouth
5.1.2.1.2. Inhale though nose for 4 counts
5.1.2.1.3. Hold breath for 7 counts
5.1.2.1.4. Exhale for 8 counts
5.1.3. Schedule time for distractions
5.1.3.1. consciously schedule time to deal with distraction and think about worries so that they don't prey on your mind while tackling other things
5.1.4. Do something that has been causing you stress
5.1.4.1. Procrastination causes stress, so doing the task releases the stress
5.2. 2. Study
5.2.1. Avoid cramming
5.2.1.1. It causes stress and lack of sleep, that impairs brain function
5.2.2. Active recall
5.2.2.1. Review material and then immediately check how much you recall
5.2.2.2. Employ spaced repetitions
5.2.2.2.1. First learn and test recall
5.2.2.2.2. Test again after one day
5.2.2.2.3. After a further 2 days
5.2.2.2.4. After a further 3 days
5.2.3. Manage the state you're in
5.2.3.1. Feeling positive and resourceful helps study. Posture is also important. Sit straight and smile.
5.2.4. Music and smells for the mind
5.2.4.1. Peppermint and lemon aids concentration
5.2.4.2. Baroque music aids concentration
5.2.4.3. Connection between hearing and learning.
5.2.5. Take note of taking notes
5.2.5.1. Use your own words.
5.2.5.2. Handwritten notes best
5.2.5.3. Capture your own impressions on left side of page
5.2.5.4. Review immediately
5.3. 3. Memory
5.3.1. Why develop you memory
5.3.1.1. It's a discipline for the mind - make us focused and industrious
5.3.1.2. You can't always google it
5.3.1.3. Creates a repertoire of what we think about
5.3.1.4. We think with ideas held in working memory
5.3.1.5. Promotes improved ability to learn
5.3.2. Visualisation
5.3.2.1. Learning a long list of words, it helps enormously to create a story and visual images about the words. The more exaggerated and humorous the better.
5.3.3. Association
5.3.3.1. Baker/baker paradox - we remember a profession baker far easier than the surname Baker because of the associations attached. Creating associations boosts our memories dramatically
5.3.4. Emotion
5.3.4.1. Adding emotion makes things memorable
5.3.5. Location
5.3.5.1. Our history as hunter-gatherers makes us very good at remembering places. Build memory palaces and place things to remember along a route.
5.3.5.1.1. To remember a presentation, identify 10 major talking points.
5.3.5.1.2. Imagine a place you know well
5.3.5.1.3. Consider a path through that place
5.3.5.1.4. Choose 10 location along that path and place your 10 talking points along the route
5.3.5.1.5. Practice your presentation using your walk thought the location as a tool for remembering each point
5.3.5.2. For more on this, read Joshua Foer, Moonwalking with Einstein
5.3.6. Tool for remembering names
5.3.6.1. Believe that you will remember
5.3.6.2. The more you practice, the better you will get
5.3.6.3. Say it back as you hear it
5.3.6.4. Use it during the course of the conversation
5.3.6.5. Find a visual tool for remembering the name
5.3.6.6. When you part ways, say their name again.
5.3.7. Tool for remembering vocabulary and language
5.3.7.1. Word substitution
5.3.7.1.1. Turn word into concrete image eg Armstrong becomes a strong arm, Monroe becomes a man rowing
5.3.7.1.2. Tres bien (French) meaning very good. Create a picture of rewarding someone with a bean on a silver tray (tray bean)
5.3.7.2. Used spaced repetition
5.4. 4. Speed reading
5.4.1. Why read faster?
5.4.1.1. Reading kicks your brain into gear. It's a rigorous mental workout.
5.4.1.2. It improves memory
5.4.1.3. It improves focus
5.4.1.4. Improves vocabulary, imagination and understanding
5.4.2. Method
5.4.2.1. Start with a self assessment
5.4.2.1.1. Choose an easy reading novel. Set an alarm to go off in two minutes. Read at a comfortable speed. Mark off what you read in 2 mins. Count average number of lines. Count total number of lines. Multiply by number of words. Divide my two for rate per minute
5.4.2.1.2. Average speed is 150- 250 words per minute
5.4.2.2. Why we read slowly
5.4.2.2.1. Regression - reread line again
5.4.2.2.2. Outdated skill - haven't taken reading class since we were very young
5.4.2.2.3. Subvocalization - we "read aloud" in our minds. We speak at 250 words per minute but can read at 500 - 1200 words per minute
5.4.2.3. Visual pacer
5.4.2.3.1. Use your finger to track words so that you don't regress
5.4.2.4. Peripheral Vision
5.4.2.4.1. Expand vision so that you read words at edge of vision and chunk words. Your finger doesn't need to track to margins of pages, but approx 2 cm in.
5.4.2.5. Counting
5.4.2.5.1. Count "one, two, three, one, two, three..." in head while reading to stop subvocalising words.
5.4.2.6. Extra tips
5.4.2.6.1. Hold book upright, read for 20-25 minute chunks with short breaks in between, make reading a habit.
5.5. 5. Thinking
5.5.1. The thinking hats
5.5.1.1. Edward de Bono 6 thinking hats to encourage fresh thinking and get out of thinking ruts
5.5.1.1.1. White hat for information gathering mode (think white lab coat)
5.5.1.1.2. Yellow hat for optimism to you thinking (yellow sun)
5.5.1.1.3. Black hat to weigh up good side vs difficulties. Analytical mode. (black judges robes)
5.5.1.1.4. Red hat for emotional considerations (red heart)
5.5.1.1.5. Green hat for creativity mode, what new ideas can we bring (green grass)
5.5.1.1.6. Blue hat for management, set goals, tasks and actions (blue sky)
5.5.2. How are you smart?
5.5.2.1. Dr Howard Gardner, Harvard school of Education - 8 distinct forms of intelligence
5.5.2.1.1. Spatial
5.5.2.1.2. Bodily-kinesthetic
5.5.2.1.3. Musical
5.5.2.1.4. Linguistic
5.5.2.1.5. Logical-mathematical
5.5.2.1.6. Interpersonal
5.5.2.1.7. Intrapersonal
5.5.2.1.8. Naturalistic
5.5.3. Your learning style
5.5.3.1. Visual - learn through illustration, charts, video, visual media
5.5.3.2. Auditory - listening, podcasts, lectures, discussion, audiobooks
5.5.3.3. Kinesthetic - physical interaction, hands-on learning
5.5.4. Mental models
5.5.4.1. these help with evaluating ideas, making decision, problem-solving
5.5.4.1.1. Decision making: 40/70 rule
5.5.4.1.2. Productivity: Create a not-to-do list
5.5.5. Thinking exponentially
5.5.5.1. Naveen Jain, winner of Albert Einstein Technology Medal, founder of some of the world's most innovative companies including Moon Express (first private company authorized to land on the moon), World Innovation Institute, iNome, Talentwise, Intelius and Infospace
5.5.5.1.1. "It's not about thinking out the box, it's about thinking in a completely different box"
5.5.5.1.2. Look at root causes eg problem of lack of fresh water in many parts of the world. It's limited to look at filtration systems and moving fresh water. Biggest use of fresh water is agriculture so look at farming methods that use less water (eg aeroponics, aquaponics).
5.5.5.1.3. Viome tackles chronic illness and analyses individual's gut microbiome.
5.5.5.1.4. Instead of focussing on making something better, focus on making something different.
5.5.5.1.5. Example of family dinner. Maybe solution is not about finding time in busy schedules for dinners together, but find time in the week to connect as a family.