Steven Kotler — Exponential Technologies, Achieving Flow States and The Art of Asking Great Questions

“Flow is an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and we perform our best. It has a huge amplification to all aspects, to performance, motivation, productivity, learning, creativity, innovation” — Steven Kotler

This week Sachit (@sachitgupta) chats with New York Times bestselling author, and award-winning journalist Steven Kotler (@steven_kotler). Steven is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. In this conversation, they discuss the meaning of exponential technology, the future of content creators, how to ask the right questions, getting into the state of flow, and about his new upcoming book.

Find the show notes of the episode here - https://www.creators.show

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Resources mentioned:

“Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think” - Peter H. Diamonds & Steven Kotler

“A Small Furry Prayer: Dog Rescue and the Meaning of Life” - Steven Kotler

“Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” - David Epstein

“Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't” - Jim Collins

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change” - Stephen R. Covey - but in a negative context

Show Notes:

00:27 - What is exponential technology?

04:48 - Disruptions in the world of entertainment

15:41 - How to think about the future as a content creator

24:59 - How to get into the flow state (22 flow triggers)

30:11 - Why devotion to craft is all that matters

33:24 - Success as a compound interest function

34:56 - Steven’s framework to learn anything

40:14 - How Steven picks what to learn and write about

42:01 - How to get better at asking questions

45:43 - #1 way to win in life and career

47:08 - How he and his co-author came up with the title of his new book

50:58 - How to find your extraordinary