The Rich Roll Podcast – Steven Bartlett on Mastering Business & Life: Outside The Box Lessons On Mindset, Ambition, Vulnerability & What Matters Most

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Rich Roll interviews Steven Bartlett, a wildly successful entrepreneur and disruptor. Steven is the co-founder of Flight Story, Third Web, and the venture enterprise flight fund. He is also the youngest ever host or co-host of Dragon’s Den and was included in Forbes 30 under 30 list. Steven’s podcast, Diary of a CEO, sits steadily at number one on the UK podcast charts and has upended the podcast world in just two years. Steven is a genuine thought leader on everything from business and leadership to personal growth and well-being. In this conversation, Steven shares his insights on mastering business and life, discussing mindset, ambition, vulnerability, and what truly matters most.

Main Takeaways

Lessons on Mindset and Ambition

• Steven emphasizes the importance of intuition and balancing ambition with self-care.
• He believes in asking guests how they are feeling at the beginning of interviews to understand their mindset and drive the conversation.
• Steven shares his constant battle between ambition and capacity, sometimes overextending himself and paying the price for it.
• He highlights the importance of being honest and open, even in moments of vulnerability, to connect with others on a deeper level.
• Endurance is important for consistency and sustainability, not just intensity.

Prioritizing Time and Allocating it Wisely

• Protecting time is a constant battle between personal goals and people-pleasing tendencies.
• Consider how you would feel doing a task tomorrow, not in the distant future.
• Allocate your time based on your values to get the best returns.
• Intentional time spent on leisure activities is not wasted time.
• Time is a finite and precious currency that we often allocate in trivial ways.

The Power of Discipline and Removing Friction

• Discipline comes in many forms and requires saying no to things that don’t align with our goals.
• The equation for discipline is: Why does the goal matter to you + psychological enjoyment – psychological friction.
• The pandemic increased the speaker’s “why” for going to the gym and made the habit stick.
• Creating systems that make the desired choice convenient and easy to access is crucial for success.
• City architecture and company culture can influence healthier choices by removing friction and creating incentives.

The Importance of Intuition and Authenticity

• Our authentic voice within, our gut instinct or intuition, is a capacity we all hold but gets worn down through societal expectations.
• Paying attention to our intuition is important, as it is a deep signal hardwired into us from generation to generation.
• Believing in self and cultivating self-esteem can lead to living in integrity with our values.
• The story of ourselves exists in everyone’s life who experiences us and is a completely different story for them.
• Living in integrity with our values can cultivate self-esteem.

The Power of Vulnerability and Connection

• Vulnerability is a powerful tool for connection and leadership.
• Sharing personal struggles and insecurities can increase oxytocin levels and make people feel more connected.
• Being vulnerable can be cathartic, empowering, and liberating.
• Sharing vulnerabilities can change people’s lives and make them relate to you on a deeper level.
• Running the experiment of vulnerability in more areas of your life will be the greatest magnet towards connection anyone could ever run.

Summary

Mastering Mindset, Ambition, and Time Allocation

Steven Bartlett, a successful entrepreneur and disruptor, shares valuable insights on mindset, ambition, and time allocation. He emphasizes the importance of intuition and balancing ambition with self-care. Steven believes in asking guests how they are feeling at the beginning of interviews to understand their mindset and drive the conversation. He also discusses the constant battle between ambition and capacity, highlighting the need for honesty and vulnerability to connect with others on a deeper level. Steven emphasizes the importance of endurance, consistency, and allocating time based on personal values to achieve the best returns.

The Power of Discipline, Removing Friction, and Authenticity

Discipline plays a crucial role in achieving goals. Steven shares the equation for discipline and how it involves psychological enjoyment and removing psychological friction. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on his gym habit and the importance of creating systems that make desired choices convenient and easy to access. Steven also explores the influence of city architecture and company culture on healthier choices. He highlights the significance of intuition, authenticity, and living in integrity with one’s values to cultivate self-esteem and connect with others on a deeper level.

The Role of Vulnerability in Connection and Leadership

Steven delves into the power of vulnerability in fostering connection and effective leadership. He discusses the impact of sharing personal struggles and insecurities, which can increase oxytocin levels and create a deeper sense of connection. Steven emphasizes the cathartic, empowering, and liberating nature of vulnerability. He shares how vulnerability can change lives and create meaningful connections. Steven encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability in various areas of life, as it is a powerful magnet for connection.

Conclusion

Steven Bartlett’s insights on mastering business and life provide valuable lessons on mindset, ambition, vulnerability, and what truly matters. He emphasizes the importance of intuition, authenticity, and discipline, while highlighting the power of vulnerability in fostering connection and effective leadership. Steven’s experiences and wisdom serve as a guide for entrepreneurs and individuals seeking personal growth and success.