Last Lecture Series: How to Live your Life at Full Power — Graham Weaver

Summary

In this inspiring speech, Graham Weaver shares his journey of self-discovery and the importance of listening to one's inner voice. He humorously recounts his escape from a corporate job and the 'runner's high' that led to life-changing insights. Weaver challenges the audience to make three promises: to remove obstacles ('nails'), to pursue activities that energize them, and to commit fully to their dreams without hesitation. His message emphasizes the power of intuition and the pursuit of a life lived authentically and with passion.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Graham Weaver, a Stanford GSB graduate, emphasizes the importance of listening to your inner voice and following your true path, rather than settling for a life that doesn't fulfill you.
• 🏃‍♂️ Weaver shares his personal story of escaping a corporate job by sneaking out during a tedious offsite meeting, which led to a transformative run where he decided to follow his true calling.
• 🔊 He describes the struggle between two voices within us: the voice of fear and doubt (survival instinct) and the voice of intuition or inner wisdom, urging us to follow our true desires.
• 🔑 The first of Weaver's three promises is to 'take the nail out of your head,' meaning to address and remove the obstacles (bad habits, unresolved past experiences, self-imposed rules, or fear) that keep us stuck.
• 🌟 The second promise is to 'follow your energy,' suggesting that we should pursue activities that energize us, rather than just our passions, which can be limiting and singular.
• 🌱 The 'Nine Lives' exercise is introduced as a tool to help identify what truly excites us and gives us energy, by imagining different life paths we could take.
• 💪 The third promise is to 'go all in now,' encouraging full commitment to our dreams and goals without hesitation or delay, which can lead to a shift in identity and a reduction in internal conflict.
• 🚫 Weaver warns against the trap of hedging our bets, being half-in and half-out of decisions, which wastes energy and prevents us from reaching our full potential.
• 🔍 He highlights the importance of not waiting for the 'perfect time' to pursue our dreams, as this often leads to never taking action, and instead urges immediate, full commitment.
• 🌐 Weaver concludes that the meaning of life is to live your life at full power, accessed through listening to your inner voice and taking decisive action towards your dreams.

Q & A

What was Graham Weaver's initial career path after graduating from Stanford GSB?

Graham Weaver took a safe corporate job that he wasn't excited about or particularly good at, but he persisted with it for a while.

What event triggered Graham Weaver's decision to leave his corporate job?

An offsite meeting in Napa, where he felt trapped and unengaged, led to him hatching an escape plan during a break, which symbolized his desire to leave the job.

How did Graham Weaver describe his experience during the run that led to a life-changing realization?

During the run, he experienced a runner's high and heard an inner voice telling him that he didn't have to stay in his current job, which was not fulfilling. This voice brought him a sense of calm and clarity about his future.

What is the 'voice of fear' according to Graham Weaver's speech?

The 'voice of fear' is the survival instinct that injects fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety, promoting a fight or flight response and often leading to a life that is too small.

What is the 'second voice' that Graham Weaver refers to, and how does it manifest?

The 'second voice' is the inner wisdom or true self, which has been called many names like intuition, source, or the universe. It is often quieter and manifests in the body, such as the heart, gut, or chest, and is associated with energy and excitement.

What is the 'Nine Lives' exercise that Graham Weaver suggests to find one's energy?

The 'Nine Lives' exercise involves imagining nine parallel universes where you can live different lives, starting from where you are today. The purpose is to identify activities or paths that excite you and give you energy.

What does Graham Weaver mean by 'taking the nail out of your head'?

This metaphor refers to acknowledging and addressing the issues or obstacles ('nails') that are keeping you stuck in life, such as bad habits, unresolved past experiences, self-imposed rules, or fear.

What advice does Graham Weaver give for overcoming the fear of failure?

He suggests going all in with full energy into what excites you, without waiting for the perfect moment or uttering 'not now', thereby silencing the voice of fear and aligning with your true self.

How does Graham Weaver define the meaning of life?

He defines the meaning of life as an individual pursuit, where each person needs to find their own meaning and live life at full power, guided by their inner voice.

What is the significance of the three promises Graham Weaver asks the audience to make?

The three promises are meant to help individuals get unstuck, find their inner voice, and follow it by going all in with their energy and dreams, without hesitation or delay.

How did Graham Weaver's personal experiences influence his teaching and coaching philosophy?

His personal experiences, such as escaping a corporate job and overcoming his fear of failure, led him to teach and coach others on how to listen to their inner voice, pursue their passions with energy, and commit fully to their dreams.