![Tracking Wonder Podcast artwork](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts123/v4/56/37/b1/5637b12c-17a2-612d-356b-8cc426c3aece/mza_6895079765240917801.png/100x100bb.jpg)
S1 EP5: The Tension Between Optimal Collaboration vs Solitude with Pam Slim and Leo Babauta
Tracking Wonder Podcast
English - May 01, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 66.3 MB - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Jeffrey's questions:
"When you're wanting to make a radical change in your work life or advance your best ideas, how much collaboration do you need, and how much time alone is best for you to generate and then advance your best ideas?”
In her book, The Creative Habit, celebrated choreographer Twyla Tharp suggests that “a clearly stated and consciously shared purpose is the foundation of great collaboration.” What else do you need to facilitate a successful collaboration? What role does solitude play in allowing you to process ideas and make meaningful contributions to the group? And how do we practice solitude in a world where technology conveniently supplies a distraction any time we feel a little uncertainty or discomfort?
Jeffrey is at the roundtable with mindfulness teacher and author Leo Babauta and award-winning author, speaker and business consultant Pam Slim to explore the characteristics of a successful collaboration and the necessity of solitude as a critical part of the process. Pam and Leo both share the radical transformations that led them to become entrepreneurs and their experiences with the collaborative nature of sharing your writing with an online community. They speak to challenge of embracing uncertainty rather than retreating into your cell phone—and the liberation that comes with opening your heart to discomfort.
Key Takeaways[3:57] Pam & Leo’s young genius moments
‘Alive in the magic,’ creating worlds Burying marbles, climbing banyan tree[9:23] Leo’s time of radical change
Overweight smoker, deeply in debt Felt badly about self as person, father Picked one thing to change (smoking) Began to change other habits as well Started blog in 2007, year of discovery Achieved with support of others[18:08] Pam’s journey of radical change
Working 90 hours/week in 1996 Mentors moved on after merger, lost mojo Also stuck in unhealthy relationship Quit job without plan (huge tolerance for risk) Reached out to old boss for freelance work Realized suited to entrepreneurship[27:18] Pam’s take on successful collaborative efforts
As much as you prepare, much is random (human side of business) Open to collaborate with client, mentors or peer network[33:11] The characteristics of optimal collaboration
Strong opinions, weakly held Deep listening Mirrored communication Shared purpose, but individual motivation Joint mission, desire to be part of something bigger Acceptance, mutual love and respect Community spirit, shared workload Different perspectives, life experiences Willingness to be changed (beginner’s mind) Leader offering invitation to collaborate, keep it going Create brave spaces[47:46] The significance of solitude
Solitude is ‘lost art’ Necessary first step in collaboration Schedule time for solitude Step away from technology to process Can be around people, yet alone with thoughts[56:37] How we use our phones to avoid uncertainty, discomfort
Solitude, isolation allows for awareness of patterns Set intention and create boundaries Play with discomfort (critical part of development) Proactively schedule time without distractions[1:03:10] Pam’s advice for executives around allowing for solitude
Signals, signs ‘No meeting’ days Design space for needs of team Enforce your own boundaries Connect with Pam & Leo ResourcesThe Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
“Just Think: The Challenges of the Disengaged Mind” by Timothy D. Wilson, et al.
Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World by Michael Harris
Jeffrey's questions:
"When you're wanting to make a radical change in your work life or advance your best ideas, how much collaboration do you need, and how much time alone is best for you to generate and then advance your best ideas?”
In her book, The Creative Habit, celebrated choreographer Twyla Tharp suggests that “a clearly stated and consciously shared purpose is the foundation of great collaboration.” What else do you need to facilitate a successful collaboration? What role does solitude play in allowing you to process ideas and make meaningful contributions to the group? And how do we practice solitude in a world where technology conveniently supplies a distraction any time we feel a little uncertainty or discomfort?
Jeffrey is at the roundtable with mindfulness teacher and author Leo Babauta and award-winning author, speaker and business consultant Pam Slim to explore the characteristics of a successful collaboration and the necessity of solitude as a critical part of the process. Pam and Leo both share the radical transformations that led them to become entrepreneurs and their experiences with the collaborative nature of sharing your writing with an online community. They speak to challenge of embracing uncertainty rather than retreating into your cell phone—and the liberation that comes with opening your heart to discomfort.
Key Takeaways[3:57] Pam & Leo’s young genius moments
‘Alive in the magic,’ creating worlds Burying marbles, climbing banyan tree[9:23] Leo’s time of radical change
Overweight smoker, deeply in debt Felt badly about self as person, father Picked one thing to change (smoking) Began to change other habits as well Started blog in 2007, year of discovery Achieved with support of others[18:08] Pam’s journey of radical change
Working 90 hours/week in 1996 Mentors moved on after merger, lost mojo Also stuck in unhealthy relationship Quit job without plan (huge tolerance for risk) Reached out to old boss for freelance work Realized suited to entrepreneurship[27:18] Pam’s take on successful collaborative efforts
As much as you prepare, much is random (human side of business) Open to collaborate with client, mentors or peer network[33:11] The characteristics of optimal collaboration
Strong opinions, weakly held Deep listening Mirrored communication Shared purpose, but individual motivation Joint mission, desire to be part of something bigger Acceptance, mutual love and respect Community spirit, shared workload Different perspectives, life experiences Willingness to be changed (beginner’s mind) Leader offering invitation to collaborate, keep it going Create brave spaces[47:46] The significance of solitude
Solitude is ‘lost art’ Necessary first step in collaboration Schedule time for solitude Step away from technology to process Can be around people, yet alone with thoughts[56:37] How we use our phones to avoid uncertainty, discomfort
Solitude, isolation allows for awareness of patterns Set intention and create boundaries Play with discomfort (critical part of development) Proactively schedule time without distractions[1:03:10] Pam’s advice for executives around allowing for solitude
Signals, signs ‘No meeting’ days Design space for needs of team Enforce your own boundaries Connect with Pam & Leo ResourcesThe Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
“Just Think: The Challenges of the Disengaged Mind” by Timothy D. Wilson, et al.
Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World by Michael Harris