What can you learn from Brian Johnson? Today is Part Two of the Brian Johnson interview. I'm sure that once again you'll glean information that you can act on. I have found Brian to be a very happy person and his interview will inspire you to be the best that you can be.
Brian Johnson read 100 books and converted them into what he calls PhilosophersNotes. This initiative reminded me of that book list, 100 Books to Get an Education. It's distilled wisdom.
Avil Beckford: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Brian Johnson: I love wisdom, and that makes me a philosopher. I also love creating cool businesses that allow me to do what I love in service to the world and that's why I'm currently focusing my energy on PhilosophersNotes where I'm sharing the Big Ideas from the world's greatest teachers that I hope will inspire and empower people to live their greatest lives.
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Avil Beckford: How do you integrate your personal and professional life?
Brian Johnson: That presupposes they are separate.
Avil Beckford: What’s a major regret that you’ve had in life?
Brian Johnson: There are a number of relationships it would be nice to go back and handle more gracefully and wisely, but it’s clear that all the experiences I’ve had were exactly what needed to happen when they happened (as evidenced by the fact that they happened), so I prefer to celebrate and embody the lessons learned.
Avil Beckford: Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply? Did you have an emotional or intellectual attachment to this book? Why?
Brian Johnson: I’ve been deeply inspired by so many books and talk about how each of them have inspired me throughout the PhilosophersNotes! 
Avil Beckford: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are five books that you would like to have with you and why? Summarize the book in two sentences.
Brian Johnson: Current mood says I’d bring:
The PhilosophersNotes Workbook – Imagine 1,000 of the best “Big Ideas” from 100 of the world’s greatest self-development books neatly organized into 100 separate 6-page mini-books put into a sexy workbook—turn to any page and get inspired with a Big Idea that can literally change your life. If I could only take one book, it’d be this one.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s collected essays
– Emerson is my hero. He’s pretty much the great-great-grandfather of the self-development movement and his integration of eastern and western philosophy is amazing.
“The How of Happiness
” by Sonja Lyubomirsky – This is, in my opinion, the best, most comprehensive yet totally readable look at what we know scientifically works to boost our happiness (and why we should care). I didn’t have a “what one book would you recommend book” before this one.
“A Joseph Campbell Companion
” – I love Campbell. Gotta have some of his mojo with me on the island and if I could somehow bind everything he’s written in a big collected works book, I’d take that.
” – I love Campbell. Gotta have some of his mojo with me on the island and if I could somehow bind everything he’s written in a big collected works book, I’d take that.“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
” by Deepak Chopra. This is one of the books that catalyzed a big change in my life so I’d bring it, too. Another asterisk here that if there was some way to put everything he’s written into a big book, I’d want that.
Avil Beckford: Have you read any books that inspired you to start a business, service or invent “something”? If yes, which book?
Brian Johnson: I’d say How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day
by Michael Gelb inspired me to create my ideal life when I read it in 2001, so let’s go with that.
Avil Beckford: Complete the following, I am happy when…
Brian Johnson: I am most happy when I am being true to my Highest self and living the ideals in which I believe.
Now that you have read the entire interview, what are your thoughts? How can you apply some of Brian's wisdom? Let's keep the conversation flowing, please comment. If you got to this post via search engine, please consider subscribing.
Final Thoughts: Interview with Brian Johnson
What wisdom did you glean from the interview with Brian Johnson? Are there any lessons that you can immediately apply.
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