Jim Collins and Ed Zschau (#741)

Greg McKeown and Diana Chapman (#740) Tony Robbins and Jerry Colonna (#742)

Jim Collins and Ed Zschau (#741)

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #361 “Jim Collins — A Rare Interview with a Reclusive Polymath” and #380 “Ed Zschau — The Polymath Professor Who Changed My Life.”

Please enjoy!

Bios of guests may be found at tim.blog/combo.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform .

Brought to you by Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 Ultra sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement, and LMNT electrolyte supplement.

Transcript of the full Jim Collins episode | Transcript of the full Ed Zschau episode | Transcripts of all episodes

Listen onApple Podcasts [image error]Listen onSpotify [image error]Listen onOvercast#741: Jim Collins and Ed Zschau

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SHOW NOTES[05:00] Notes about this supercombo format.[06:03] Enter Jim Collins.[06:28] How Jim’s students influenced his entrepreneurial path.[10:45] Why Jim carries a three-timer stopwatch.[12:21] Using a spreadsheet to optimize discipline in service of creativity.[13:42] Ideal minimum creative hours per year.[15:19] Avoiding a life-distorting “funk.”[17:41] Calculating an optimal end point.[19:27] Patterns discovered using Jim’s time-tracking method.[20:23] Three crucial components for living the life Jim wants to lead.[22:18] The bug book and the hedgehog concept.[30:31] Peter Drucker mic-drop lessons.[34:39] Enter Ed Zschau.[34:59] How I convinced Dr. Zschau to let me into his Princeton engineering course.[37:38] Ed’s background in competitive figure skating and the lessons it taught him.[41:45] The origin of Ed’s meticulous attention to detail.[45:31] The benefits of learning by doing through the case method.[49:21] Ed’s definition of entrepreneurship.[50:50] The role of optimism in entrepreneurship and life.[53:30] Ed’s aspirations as a teenager and young adult.[55:32] What drew Ed to Princeton as an aspiring physics philosopher.[58:21] How Ed got into teaching and his belief that career planning is overrated.[1:03:37] How Ed learned to become a good teacher and the influence of extemporaneous speaking.[1:06:53] Lessons from extemporaneous speaking competitions about preparation and adaptation.[1:11:04] Ed’s thoughts on focusing for extended periods versus opening himself to opportunities.[1:13:06] Ed’s decision to run for Congress.[1:17:57] Advantages of committing to a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives.[1:21:29] Ed’s experience and self-reflection after losing his Senate race.[1:23:40] Ed’s decision process when transitioning from investor to CEO.[1:26:05] Differentiating between high-impact commitments and peer pressure.[1:29:41] Comparing Ed’s parenting style to his teaching style.[1:31:17] Ed’s belief in encouragement over direction and his own upbringing.[1:34:45] The origin of Ed’s goal to live a life that matters.[1:37:05] Influential books and recommendations for aspiring entrepreneurs.[1:42:05] Ed’s current excitement and efforts to make higher education affordable through technology.[1:48:37] The mantra by which Ed lives his life and his childhood nickname.[1:50:57] How Ed brings the sound of music to his endeavors.[1:57:34] Ed’s influence on others to continue his work of changing the world.[1:59:40] Parting thoughts.SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

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