Unlocking Your Best Self: Ben Lytle on Human Potential, Wisdom, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

“I will do my best to be my best and leave the world and the people I meet a little better than when I found them.”   These twenty-five words, said from the heart, represent nature’s highest calling to all living things: to reach their potential and contribute to their species and the whole . . .   All it takes is this commitment to do your best to be your best – days, serial entrepreneur Ben Lytle, author of THE PURSUIT OF WISDOM, as that’s how he led and launched seven successful companies to date, creating billions in market value, including New York Stock Exchange-listed Acordia, Inc. and Anthem (now Elevance Health), which have a current market value of more than $120 billion. He also co-founded Silver Sneakers, a fitness program designed for older adults that became one of the world’s largest exercise programs.   Sharing his knowledge now as an author of THE POTENTIALIST series, his latest installment, The Pursuit of Wisdom was published Fall of 2024. He shares the importance of wisdom and its practice in everything from business to intimacy in relationships. The series is intended as a guidebook for success during the fast-changing, turbulent, and opportunity-rich times ahead—named The Fourth Industrial Revolution by the World Economic Forum.   Ben's devotion to individual and collective human potential through accelerated wisdom guides much of his work and sharing.   Among many nuggets, Ben Lytle shares about leadership, human potential, and wisdom from THE POTENTIALIST: The Pursuit of Wisdom                                                                     Human potential has consistently been underestimated. Humanity, especially its leaders, has yet to grasp this timeless truth.                                         How can I be sure that my intentions are genuine and my actions are consistent?                     Gratitude is powerful in its presence or absence.   If you struggle with judging yourself, you are trapped in the ego’s cognitive distortion of perfection, which does not exist in nature and cannot exist in you.   Inside everyone, buried more deeply in some, lies a craving for an ecstatic connection called intimacy that unites us with others and all things in nature.   Humanity will achieve an unprecedented elevation in potential and wisdom when intimate relationships are as familiar as social acquaintances are today.   Intimacy, unconditional love, and empathy are not subject to the law of consumption but to infinity, from which they are derived. The more we give, the more we have available to offer.   Intimacy may be the most potent force we experience in life.                                           Think of intimacy as a healthy contagion spreading outward and altering every person and thing you touch.   Intimacy is the North Star of the art of living well, our most basic need, our highest calling, and the surest path to potential and wisdom.   Fear owns you, or you own it. Only you can decide who’s in charge.   Adversity is a teacher, not a punishing warden.   What we spend time with and where we spend our time makes who we are. Decisions made wisely throughout life accelerate potential and wisdom.   At family intimacy, unconditional love and belonging are, at their best, protective membranes between you and the rest of the world from birth to death.   It is impossible to become wise without gratitude.   Many people remain tragically defined by inaccurate memories that limit their potential and quality of life.                                                      Questions to ponder:   • Will working and living with humanlike automation emphasize or blur my human distinctiveness?   • How do I integrate with automation like AI and robotics without losing my humanity?    • What security, backup, and controls should I insist on as my life increasingly depends upon more intelligent and competent automation?   • How do I prepare for career opportunities as automation assumes the grunt work and frees me for higher-value work that is creative, problem-solving, and involves complex relationships with humans and humanlike automation?   If institutions continue faltering, how, when, and on what matters will you fill the void they leave, protect your interests, and participate in reshaping them?   Will you lead wisely to heal polarizing issues in your orbit, or stay silent and hope someone else leads?   Will you develop and execute an adaptive strategy for a longer life in an aging society, or will you trust that the government or someone else will take care of you and yours?   How will my loved ones and I assess the choices and consequences to make the wisest possible decisions in a personalized world of expanding choices, individual initiative and productivity, and self-discovery?                                                                                   Active Imagination or visualize-to-realize is concentrated practice to learn and become what we imagine or visualize.   We can be only what we imagine, and what we imagine, we can exceed.   All-time problems are priority problems in disguise.   Everyone can contribute to democratizing wisdom by passing on their life experience as examples of wise and unwise actions and decisions.   The development of potential and wisdom becomes cumulative, accelerating you forward in an ecstatic experience of perpetual growth.   Ben Lytle is a self-made serial entrepreneur-CEO known for being ahead of the curve. He launched five successful companies, including two listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The best-known is Anthem, which is today twenty-ninth on the Fortune 500 with a market value of over $100 billion. He is a healthcare policy expert who served on state and presidential healthcare commissions, a governance leader with extensive public company experience, a senior athlete, a world traveler, a father of three children, and a grandfather to eight grandchildren. Ben’s devotion to individual and collective human potential through accelerated wisdom guides his writing, speaking, entrepreneurial energy, and investments. He believes that people and organizations today underestimate the extent and speed with which they and the world will change. Time to prepare and adapt is being compressed, opportunities are missed, and unnecessary suffering will result unless prompt action is taken. He wrote The Potential: Your Future in the New Reality of the Next Thirty Years as a guide to success through wiser, timely actions and decisions in the opportunity-rich, turbulent times ahead. In the highly anticipated second installment of The Potential series, The Pursuit of Wisdom, Ben takes you on an uplifting journey to unleash your potential and accelerate the decision-making wisdom vital during the most significant change in human history. Website: https://potentialistfuture.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larryben.lytle/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lytle-a6a0b914/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ben.lytle.potentialist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potentialistfuture/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Nz_d5zRI2HSLS0SSWMznA3H0-ylQ0bNgRi40OvTQw2asO0K8leP_W5ZI_aem_ztuuogeUuGSpLVaZJ31vcw   Summary Exploring Human Potential and Wisdom Ben and Michael discussed Ben's passion for studying human potential and how it manifests in wisdom and sound decision-making. Ben, a serial entrepreneur and attorney, mentioned writing a book series on tapping into human potential during the current era of great change aimed at his grandchildren and children. Navigating Transformation and Embracing Change Michael and Ben discussed the current period of significant transformation in humanity. Michael expressed his excitement about participating in this change and emphasized the importance of learning and understanding to navigate through it. Ben agreed, noting that historically, only a tiny percentage of people have thrived during significant change. He stressed the need to adapt actively and not fear these changes. Both agreed that change can be growth and that it's essential to recognize the opportunities it presents for humanity. They also touched on the fear of success and the importance of embracing change. Global Education, Wisdom, and Personal Growth Ben discussed the potential of reaching higher levels of education and learning worldwide, emphasizing the importance of using available information and knowledge wisely. He introduced his second book, which focuses on developing one's capacity for wisdom and making better decisions. Ben encouraged everyone to apply themselves and make significant progress in a short amount of time. Michael agreed, highlighting the importance of self-improvement and not comparing oneself to others. They both emphasized the potential for personal growth and the need to apply oneself differently. Exploring Wisdom, Personal Growth, and Healthcare Challenges Ben and Michael discussed the potential of wisdom being accessible to everyone and the importance of personal growth. Ben emphasized the role of self-doubt and the ego hindering personal development and suggested that understanding and woodworking with one's psychological body can improve decision-making and find purpose. Michael shared his experience of overcoming self-doubt and embracing change, highlighting the importance of being open to new opportunities. They also touched on the challenges and rewards of working in healthcare, with Michael noting the unpredictability of the field and the need for adaptability. The conversation concluded with Ben mentioning the integration of AI and brain science in technology, hinting at future developments in this area. Addressing Global Challenges With AI and Robotics Ben and Michael discussed the world's challenges, particularly the declining population and the need for increased productivity to sustain economies. They emphasized the importance of technologies like AI and robotics in healthcare and other sectors in addressing these issues. Ben highlighted the need for a shift in mindset from fear to embracing these technologies for their potential benefits. Michael agreed, noting the need for more clinicians and caregivers and the necessity of moving fast on AI and robotics while ensuring safety and caution. They concluded that the world needs to start thinking about accelerating the learning process and getting more people into the system to address these challenges. Addressing Declining Birth Rates and Aging Populations Michael and Ben discussed the implications of declining birth rates and aging populations on infrastructure and economic growth. They noted that countries like Canada and Italy are experiencing a significant decline in new births, which could lead to a shortage of skilled workers and a reduced tax base. Ben emphasized the need for proactive measures, particularly in healthcare, to address these issues. They also touched on the challenges faced during the pandemic, such as surgery delays and access to diagnosis. Enhancing Healthcare Productivity With Technology Ben and Michael discussed the need for innovation and productivity enhancement in healthcare, particularly in the face of a shortage of healthcare workers. They emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to support healthcare professionals rather than replacing them. They also highlighted the need for a shift in mindset from caution and distraction to proactive problem-solving and preparation for the future. Ben suggested that the current reality requires healthcare professionals to operate at the top of their licenses and that technology can help achieve this. They concluded by expressing optimism for the future, with Ben referring to it as the "age of expanding human potential." Enhancing Human Capabilities With Technology Ben and Michael discussed the potential of technology to enhance human capabilities, such as memory and decision-making. Ben emphasized the importance of the United States leading in this area, as it could significantly impact the world. He also shared his website, potentialistfuture.com, where people can find more about his work and books. Michael appreciated Ben's insights and encouraged others to follow him. They also touched on the importance of self-awareness and ego management in personal growth.