Emerging Form

Episode 73: Steve Magness on Doing Hard Things


Listen Later

Creative projects are rewarding, but let’s be honest: they’re also hard. Today’s guest, Steve Magness, is an expert on doing hard things and he has some good advice on how to break through. Steve discusses the benefits of a quiet ego, how to feed and reward the positive voices in your head, how shifting to talking to yourself in second or third person can help you quiet negative self-talk, and how spending time alone and practicing boredom can foster creativity.

Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance. He is the author of the new book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness. He’s also coauthor of Peak Performance. The Passion Paradox, and the author of The Science of Running. Magness has served as an executive coach and a consultant on mental skills development for professional sports teams, including some of the top teams in the NBA. Steve’s writing has appeared in Outside, Runner’s World, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Men's Health, and a variety of other outlets. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and a graduate degree from George Mason University. He currently lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Hillary. Once upon a time, he ran a mile in 4:01 in high school, at the time the 6th fastest high school mile in US history.

Steve’s website

Steve on Twitter https://twitter.com/stevemagness

Emerging Form is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new bonus episodes and help us make this podcast sustainable, consider becoming a paid subscriber.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emergingform.substack.com/subscribe
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Emerging FormBy Christie Aschwanden

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

66 ratings


More shows like Emerging Form

View all
The New Yorker: Poetry by The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Poetry

520 Listeners

Tara Brach by Tara Brach

Tara Brach

10,559 Listeners

Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

Tricycle Talks

382 Listeners

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

1,840 Listeners

Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

1,483 Listeners

On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

On Being with Krista Tippett

10,134 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,728 Listeners

Living Myth by Michael Meade

Living Myth

1,016 Listeners

Emergence Magazine Podcast by Emergence Magazine

Emergence Magazine Podcast

505 Listeners

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily by American Public Media

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

1,209 Listeners

The Emerald by Joshua Schrei

The Emerald

1,044 Listeners

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley by Center for Action and Contemplation

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

1,828 Listeners

You’re Going to Die: The Podcast by You’re Going to Die

You’re Going to Die: The Podcast

294 Listeners

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren by Center for Action and Contemplation

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

801 Listeners

Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward by Center for Action and Contemplation

Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward

641 Listeners