#741: Jim Collins and Ed Zschau

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!


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Timestamps:


[00:00] Start


[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.


*


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