Leadership

Tim Ferriss – The Four Hour X

# Episode 159

**Summary:**

In Episode #159 Ari is joined by productivity man, myth and legend [Tim Ferriss](http://fourhourworkweek.com/about/) of [The 4 Hour Work Week](http://amzn.to/1BTY4tK) fame. During this hour-plus interview, Ari asks Tim about the origins of his success, the keys to his continued habits of excellence and what makes “The Four Hour X” approach to life so radically helpful.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

For the most up-to-date information on the Growth Summit, check out [Twitter](https://twitter.com/iesebs/status/604286965366853632),

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Iesebusinessschool/posts/10153314517974326), [Google+](https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106615251332390702570/+iesebusinessschool/posts/4s7cFAMJa7B) or

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/164299/comments?topic=6010042301072625664&type=U&scope=164299&stype=C&a=AEGq&goback=%2Ebzo_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_iese*5business*5school)!

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

[EO Victoria](https://m.facebook.com/EOVictoriaChapter) Join Ari at one of the Entrepreneur Organization’s high-impact learning events in Victoria, B.C. Like EO Vancouver, this will undoubtedly be a unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

## [Fuel the Fire](http://www.ippa.net/content/index.php?view=details&id=6%3A2015+IPPA+Business+Excellence+Conference&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=54) Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 25:59 – Introduction of [Tim Ferriss](http://fourhourworkweek.com/about/) of [The 4 Hour Work Week](http://amzn.to/1BTY4tK)
  • – 26:52 – Talking about the [Tim Ferriss Experiment](https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/the-tim-ferriss-experiment/id984734983)
  • – 29:08 – Tim has “failed” at TV twice
  • – 31:14 – It’s not enough to be a positive thinker—you need the “feet on the ground” strategies
  • – 32:00 – Mastery comes through teaching
  • – 32:38 – Tim didn’t learn how to swim until he was in his 30s
  • – 33:12 – When you suddenly overcome an “impossible” other impossibles in your life start to fall
  • – 37:30 – Tim’s next “skill” to develop?
  • – 39:03 – Tim’s to-do list
  • – 41:14 – Becoming proficient in any activity creates far-reaching transferrable skill
  • – 42:38 – [The Checklist Manifesto](http://amzn.to/1F3YyNS)
  • – 42:45 – No matter how dexterous of mind and body you are, checklists (processes) will make you better
  • – 43:40 – Is there blowback from people who are offended by the notion that Tim can “learn” a task in one-week?
  • – 46:12 – Be unorthodox and challenge the “best-practices” of your given skill
  • – 46:29 – “This takes a lifetime to learn” is something people say when they’re trying to defend their fiefdom
  • – 46:44 – More often than not, it is said to deter people from trying
  • – 48:31 – Tim’s key tools for automation
  • – 48:47 – Boomerang as a Gmail extension
  • – 50:14 – Delegate anything that consumes attention rather than time
  • – 53:32 – Ari —

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Marie Forleo of MarieTV

# Episode 158

**Summary:**

In Episode #158 Ari brings “part business strategist, part marketing maven and part spiritual ass-kicker”, Marie Forleo of [MarieTV](http://www.marieforleo.com/) on to the Less Doing Podcast. During this energetic interview, Marie talks about her Jersey roots, Italian heritage and building a multimillion dollar brand from scratch.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

For the most up-to-date information on the Growth Summit, check out [Twitter](https://twitter.com/iesebs/status/604286965366853632),

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Iesebusinessschool/posts/10153314517974326),

[Google+](https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106615251332390702570/+iesebusinessschool/posts/4s7cFAMJa7B) or

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/164299/comments?topic=6010042301072625664&type=U&scope=164299&stype=C&a=AEGq&goback=%2Ebzo_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_iese*5business*5school)!

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

## [EO Victoria](https://m.facebook.com/EOVictoriaChapter) Join Ari at one of the Entrepreneur Organization’s high-impact learning events in Victoria, B.C. Like EO Vancouver, this will undoubtedly be a unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

[Fuel the Fire](http://www.ippa.net/content/index.php?view=details&id=6%3A2015+IPPA+Business+Excellence+Conference&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=54) Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 08:59 – Introduction of Marie Forleo, creator of [Marie TV](http://www.marieforleo.com/)
  • – 09:23 – Marie got her start as a 23 year-old life coach and fitness video instructor
  • – 10:20 – The conventional wisdom that you have to choose one thing to “be” as an adult is wrong
  • – 13:30 – Ari used to teach a cardio class at his wife’s yoga studio
  • – 14:00 – If you don’t know how to laugh…learn how
  • – 15:05 – Many of us can be our own worst enemy
  • – 16:41 – The process of creation is NOT easy
  • – 17:05 – The act of creation is fun
  • – 17:43 – Make sure you’re doing at least a portion of your work for YOU
  • – 18:30 – When starting a business, profitability takes time to achieve
  • – 20:45 – There’s traditionally a lack of soulfulness in business training/teaching
  • – 22:38 – At her core, Marie is a natural teacher _and _student
  • – 23:55 – The more we can get into our bodies and avoid living from the neck up, the more creative and successful we can be
  • – 24:33 – Marie’s daily routine
  • – 25:05 – 10 minutes of meditation in the morning is a MUST
  • – 25:48 – Schedules and routines are great, but they need to be flexible
  • – 26:17 – Ride the rhythm of life
  • – 27:14 – Marie writes every single day, but not in a ritualistic way
  • – 29:55 – Learn how to shut out the distractions and just get your work DONE
  • – 30:33 – Marie’s dietary direction?—lots of water and lots of plants with dustings of dairy, carbs and alcohol
  • – 34:00 – Marie’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_
  • – 34:12 – Recognize that priorities equate to pros —

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Dan Peña – Ask the 50 Billion Dollar Man

# Episode 157

**Summary:**

In Episode #157 of the Less Doing podcast, Ari is joined by [Dan Peña](http://www.danpena.com/) of [Ask the 50 Billion Dollar Man](http://askthe50billiondollarman.com/). Follow along as Dan outlines his dos and don’ts of business, from the importance of long hours at the office to having the right attitude to achieve success.

**_Listeners beware_**

—Dan loves himself an expletive or two so those with sensitive ears may want to skip this episode.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazelles.com%2Fsummits%2FEGS-2015%2FBarcelona%2Findex.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

For the most up-to-date information on the Growth Summit, check out [Twitter](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fiesebs%2Fstatus%2F604286965366853632),

[Facebook](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIesebusinessschool%2Fposts%2F10153314517974326),

[Google+](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fplus.google.com%2Fu%2F0%2Fb%2F106615251332390702570%2F%2Biesebusinessschool%2Fposts%2F4s7cFAMJa7B) or

[LinkedIn](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F164299%2Fcomments%3Ftopic%3D6010042301072625664%26type%3DU%26scope%3D164299%26stype%3DC%26a%3DAEGq%26goback%3D%252Ebzo_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_iese*5business*5school)!

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect. ## [EO Victoria](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2FEOVictoriaChapter) Join Ari at one of the Entrepreneur Organization’s high-impact learning events in Victoria, B.C. Like EO Vancouver, this will undoubtedly be a unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

[Fuel the Fire](http://www.ippa.net/content/index.php?view=details&id=6%3A2015+IPPA+Business+Excellence+Conference&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=54) Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 11:25 – Introduction of Dan Peña of [Ask the 50 Billion Dollar Man](http://askthe50billiondollarman.com/)
  • – 12:00 – Explaining the origins of “_The 50 Billion Dollar Man_”
  • – 13:30 — $50 billion is the value/money Dan has created for others
  • – 14:10 – Dan’s model is to pull as many people across the goal line as possible
  • – 14:30 – Everybody wants wealth, but not everybody wants notoriety
  • – 15:32 – Quantum Leap Advantage: QLA
  • – 18:00 – Dan does between 2 and 6 retreats per year
  • – 18:40 – Homework is an important part of improvement and success
  • – 18:50 – Nothing will drain your energy like negative emotion
  • – 19:37 – Dan started with no money…$820 dollars
  • – 20:30 – High-performance people have a lot of energy
  • – 20:39 – _Motivation gets you started, good habits keep you going_
  • – 21:00 – “You may not like Donald Trump but he is a high-performance guy…he doesn’t go to the Super Bowl, he doesn’t hang out at sports bars”
  • – 22:22 – It’s easier now tha —

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Gretchen Rubin – Better Than Before

# Episode 156

**Summary:**

In Episode #156 Ari invites [Gretchen Rubin](http://www.gretchenrubin.com/), a happiness hero and author of [The Happiness Project](http://amzn.to/1FVndJz) and [Better Then Before](http://amzn.to/1FMI6oU) to the Less Doing podcast. Listen in as Gretchen and Ari talk about their tips and tricks surrounding happiness, habits and all-around better living.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

For the most up-to-date information on the Growth Summit, check out

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/iesebs/status/604286965366853632),

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Iesebusinessschool/posts/10153314517974326),

[Google+](https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106615251332390702570/+iesebusinessschool/posts/4s7cFAMJa7B) or

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/164299/comments?topic=6010042301072625664&type=U&scope=164299&stype=C&a=AEGq&goback=%2Ebzo_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_iese*5business*5school)!

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

## [EO Victoria](https://m.facebook.com/EOVictoriaChapter) Join Ari at one of the Entrepreneur Organization’s high-impact learning events in Victoria, B.C. Like EO Vancouver, this will undoubtedly be a unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

[Fuel the Fire](http://www.ippa.net/content/index.php?view=details&id=6%3A2015+IPPA+Business+Excellence+Conference&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=54) Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 11:20 – Introduction of [Gretchen Rubin](http://www.gretchenrubin.com/), author of [The Happiness Project](http://amzn.to/1FVndJz) and [Better Then Before](http://amzn.to/1FMI6oU)
  • – 11:55 – How the Happiness Project came to pass
  • – 12:15 – We often don’t spend enough time thinking about happiness
  • – 13:08 – Gretchen shares some of the things she found immediately improved her happiness
  • – 13:30 – Your physical experience always colors your emotional experience
  • – 14:30 – [The Japanese Art of Decluttering](http://amzn.to/1FVoi48)
  • – 16:00 – Testing the big theories of happiness
  • – 16:55 – [www.GretchenRubin.com](http://www.GretchenRubin.com)
  • – 17:08 – [Happier with Gretchen Rubin](http://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/)
  • – 17:45 – Sometimes you have to accept a negative period in order to get the benefits that ultimately lead to happiness
  • – 19:05 – Sometimes you just have to trust yourself—You’re doing the right thing, just be patient
  • – 20:15 – Even if you don’t see the change right away, stick with it!—As long as you know what you’re doing is right for you
  • – 21:10 – Research suggests that 40% of our day is shaped by habit
  • – 22:50 – The Four Tendencies
  • – 25:25 – Keeping the “streak” is incredibly important in keeping your habits up
  • – 26:04 – Ari’s 5 daily habits that he MUST keep up
  • – 28:52 – Ari’s habits are about staying balanced and maintaining self-control
  • – 29:45 – Some people assume that if they load themselves with guilt and shame they can better practice th —

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Christian Bjelland – Club Alfred

# Episode 155

**Summary:**

In Episode #155 Ari speaks with Christian Bjelland of [Club Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/), the new task take-down service that’s revolutionizing the way people approach getting chores, errands and other odd jobs done. During the interview, Christian explains how Alfred got started and why he feels it will change the way people run their homes.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 19:41 – Introduction of Christian Bjelland of [Club Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/)
  • – 19:55 – Christian defines [Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/) as a single-point to create and manage daily/weekly routines
  • – 20:08 – The service costs $25 a week
  • – 20:21 – The essential goal of the service is to allow users to improve their time and energy usage by eliminating tasks from “to-do” lists (like buying groceries)
  • – 20:50 – Think of Alfred as a home or project manager
  • – 21:50 – Unlike other on-demand services, Alfred employs automation and a white-glove approach
  • – 23:18 – Are there any issues with trust? Security?
  • – 24:18 – Many people refer to Alfred as “hotel service in your own home”
  • – 24:50 – Client managers come from a variety of backgrounds and are required to have a college degree or relevant experience
  • – 25:35 – Client managers have ownership of their clients and are encouraged to go above and beyond
  • – 26:55 – For $25 you receive a primary visit and a complementary return day if necessary
  • – 27:30 – Thus far, the service is only available in NYC and Boston
  • – 28:29 – Does Alfred conduct any data-capture?
  • – 29:55 – The primary method of communication when using Alfred is text message base
  • – 30:22 – There is an app under development
  • – 30:35 – Quick, conversational communication is important to success
  • – 31:15 – Christian is originally from Norway and his background is in investment banking
  • – 32:40 – The success of Alfred is heavily dependent upon the client managers, for this reason all client managers are W-2 employees, not contractors
  • – 33:22 – Christian’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_
  • – 33:33 – Start using Alfred
  • – 34:15 – Spend a little time every week to plan things out
  • – 34:52 – Find a place where you can be in complete isolation
  • – 35:58 – [www.helloalfred.com](http://www.helloalfred.com)

**7 Key Points:**

  1. Don’t feel professionally limited by your background.
  2. Keep communication concise and clear.
  3. Know how to not only price your product but price it well.
  4. The new UX is no UX.
  5. Take the time to plan out your day, week, month and year.
  6. When you need to work, isolate yourself and eliminate distractions.
  7. Treat your employees well, and they’ll treat your customers well.

**Resources Mentioned:**

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Alex Epstein – The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels

# Episode 154

**Summary:**

In Episode #154 Ari shares an enlightening conversation with Alex Epstein of _[The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels](http://amzn.to/1Q3w4KE)_. During this short but powerful interview, Alex explains why he believes the prevailing moral opinion of “fossil fuels are bad” is not only misguided, but flat-out wrong.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 08:17 – Introduction of Alex Epstein, author of _[The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels](http://amzn.to/1Q3w4KE)_
  • – 08:34 – How Alex came to his very unique conclusions about the planet and fossil fuel usage
  • – 09:55 – The energy industry empowers us to do everything in our lives
  • – 10:30 – Fossil Fuel energy is _vastly _more efficient (right now) than using any other form of energy
  • – 11:41 – The concept of efficiency is not defined in most contexts and therefore not used well in most circumstances
  • – 12:43 – “The internal combustion engine is super-inefficient” but by what standard is that statement being made?
  • – 13:00 – The cost-benefit ratio of using an ICE (internal combustion engine) is far more favorable that the cost-benefit ration of any other resource
  • – 15:02 – It takes very little skill and equipment to take crude oil and convert it into usable fuel (gasoline)
  • – 15:25 – Only 3 forms of energy are cheap, plentiful and reliable—Fossil, Nuclear and Hydro-Electric—of the three, only Fossil is really scalable
  • – 15:48 – All 3 of these forms have 3 things in common: they’re naturally concentrated, they’re naturally plentiful and they’re naturally stored
  • – 18:14 – The “morality of bad”
  • – 19:03 – People foolishly latch onto things they deem “virtuous”
  • – 19:25 – Alex’s take on Global Warming
  • – 20:20 – We tend to not value energy in the many ways it deserves to be valued
  • – 21:30 – Yes, we are having a warming effect, but it’s very moderate and, in many ways in-line with normal atmospheric trends
  • – 22:10 – People are exaggerating the threat of global warming because there is this inherent belief that it is wrong for us to impact the climate, which – if you truly want to live your life beholden to that standard – means you should protest the existence of cities
  • – 22:29 – People “draw the line” at complete arbitrary places
  • – 23:25 – Anti-impact prejudice coupled with a fear of the new
  • – 23:35 – Center of Industrial Progress
  • – 23:51 – The Green movement is the Anti-Human movement
  • – 25:05 – Drawing the line at “are humans impacting things” – is the wrong place to draw the line
  • – 25:43 – Alex’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Efficent_
  • – 26:05 – Always have a purpose in mind—be able to ask the question “what is my purpose?” Know the answer
  • – 28:10 – You cannot upgrade the basic structure of your life too much
  • – 28:58 – Prioritize the structure over the work
  • – 30:04 – [IndustrialProgress.com](http://www.industrialprogress.com/)

**7 Key Points:**

  1. Fossil fuel is the cornerstone of modernity.
  2. When looking at energy consumption with a cost-benefit mindset, fossil fuel is the winning fuel sources hands-down.
  3. Only 3 forms of energy—fossil, nuclear and hydro-electric—are readily available, reliable and cheap.
  4. Global warming isn’t a lie, but the way in which it is being pi —

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