In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Aaron Marcum about eliminating unhealthy stress, flourishing personally, and creating the good life. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Aaron's Upcoming Book on Entrepreneurial Well-Being
Jonathan H. Westover and Aaron Marcum discussed Aaron's upcoming book, "Entre Thrive the entrepreneurs. 8 laws for eliminating unhealthy stress, flourishing personally and creating the good life," which is scheduled for release on February 21st. Aaron shared his personal journey as an entrepreneur, highlighting the struggles he faced and how he learned to prioritize his personal well-being. He also mentioned his study under Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, and how this influenced his writing. The book aims to help entrepreneurs achieve financial freedom while creating a fulfilling life, emphasizing the importance of personal well-being in entrepreneurship.
Integrating Work and Life: Preventing Burnout
Jonathan and Aaron emphasized the importance of integrating work and personal life, rather than seeing them as separate entities. They highlighted that taking care of one's personal wellbeing can lead to professional growth. Aaron shared his personal experience of setting boundaries, such as dedicating time to cycling, and stressed the importance of not sacrificing personal wellbeing for professional success. The discussion underscored the importance of understanding personal boundaries and maintaining work-life balance to prevent burnout.
Entrepreneurial Self-Care: The Importance of White Space
Aaron and Jonathan discussed the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs. Aaron emphasized the concept of the "good life", a virtuous life where individuals are able to lean into their character strengths and pursue activities they love. He highlighted that entrepreneurs often lose sight of this due to business pressures and over-scheduling, which can negatively impact their well-being and business performance. Aaron also introduced the concept of "white space", or unscheduled time, which is crucial for entrepreneurs to reflect, create, and invest in their own well-being. Jonathan agreed, stressing that setting boundaries and scheduling white space is vital to prevent burnout and foster innovation and strategic thinking.
Entrepreneurial Principles in Life and Work
Jonathan and Aaron discussed the applicability of entrepreneurial principles to various aspects of life. Jonathan emphasized that these principles, such as the entrepreneurial drive and mindset, can be beneficial regardless of whether one is starting a business or working within a larger organization. Aaron agreed, sharing his personal experience of applying these principles in his work and his son's experience of applying them in his HR role. They concluded the discussion by Aaron introducing the first law, "clarity," which he also calls "entrepreneurial clarity".
Discovering Personal Guiding Truths
Aaron Marcum discussed his personal guiding truths and the tools he uses to help individuals discover their own. He emphasized the importance of creativity, particularly through 'Deep Thrive Sessions', and the concept of 'entrepreneurial grit'. He also touched on the significance of relationships, outlined in the 'Entre Connections' law, and faith, especially faith in a higher power. Aaron mentioned various tools including the 'Breakaway' tool and the 'Entre Clarity' tool, which helps individuals define their goals. He concluded by introducing the 'Entre Habits' tool, which focuses on character strengths.
Habits, Autonomy, and Character Strengths
Aaron discussed the concept of habits and their impact on our daily lives, as outlined in Wendy Wood's book, "Good Habits, Bad Habits." He introduced his own work on the subject, which revolves around the idea of character strengths and mind-body alignment. Aaron also highlighted the importance of autonomy and entrepreneurial agency in the workplace, emphasizing the need for creating environments that foster these qualities. He wrapped up the discussion by encouraging listeners to visit his website, where they can order his book and download free tools. Aaron stressed the importance of clarity and setting boundaries in achieving one's goals.
Listen to the webinar here:
