#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:

[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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