✍️ Notes from James Smith

James Smith is one of those interviewees that stick out and grab your attention. Articulate, self-aware, and humble. A lot of nuggets of relatable wisdom.

And the production quality of 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast is always top-notch. 👌

Podcast Topics: Social Media, Confidence and Happiness

• There is power in being disliked - someone will call you a c**t.
• Confidence is about who you need to be.
• If you buy something for yourself it's pleasure. If you buy something for someone else it’s happiness.
• Having kids is a long-term investment in his happiness.
• Always know there is always another good alternative life to the one you have now.
• Don’t pass off success as luck. Recognize the hard work.

Podcast Topic: Confidence

• Confidence is not about a lack of ability but how someone perceives reality.
• People are not being who they are but who they need to be.
• Doing nothing is doing something. Take responsibility.
• Anxiety is predicting failure. Confidence is predicting success.
• Use greater pain points as motivation: in the context of dating, what is the greater pain point? (i) talking to someone; (ii) or being lonely?
• Ask yourself questions: Instead of self-pep-talks thinking “I am going to do well”, ask yourself "Can I do well?", "What if this is the best experience I will have?", etc. Allow space for those scenarios to take place.
• We shouldn’t lie to ourselves but at least turn up the dial to optimism.