#Now

About the Author

Dr. Max McKeown is a strategic coach for Fortune 100 companies and a popular keynote speaker at conferences worldwide. He is the author of several influential books including "The Strategy Book," "The Innovation Book," and "Adaptability." Dr. McKeown conducts research with Warwick Business School and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. His work focuses on practical strategies for achieving success and innovation in business and personal life.

Main Idea

"#Now: The Surprising Truth About the Power of Now" by Dr. Max McKeown emphasizes the importance of embracing the present moment to transform your life. The book introduces the concept of a Nowist mindset, encouraging individuals to seek joy in the flow of life and take action in the present to create a successful and happy future.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: All We've Got is #Now
• Part I: Nurturing Your Nowness
• Your Need for Speed
• Two Kinds of Behavior
• Keep Your #Now Moving
• The Certain Uncertainty of Joy
• Got to Be Starting Something
• The Regret Minimization Strategy
• Because Effortless is Not Lazy
• Part II: The Three Streams of Now
• There's Only One Way to Find Out
• Getting Stronger, Extending Your #Now
• Get Moving, Start Enjoying
• Part III: The #Nowist Toolkit
• Nowist Teams and Culture
• Breathing Deeply, Moving Forward

Introduction: All We've Got is #Now

Life is composed of a billion moments, and Dr. McKeown emphasizes the importance of living in the present. Nowists believe in taking action rather than being passive or overwhelmed. By embracing the present, individuals can experience joy and create a successful and happy future.

"You can only directly think, do or change anything at the point of now." - Dr. Max McKeown

McKeown illustrates the power of the present by highlighting that every action, decision, and change happens in the now. This concept encourages readers to seize opportunities and take control of their lives by focusing on the present moment.

Part I: Nurturing Your Nowness

Your Need for Speed

McKeown discusses the importance of speed and decisiveness. He highlights research showing that impulsive people can make quick, effective decisions, debunking the myth that impulsivity is always dysfunctional.

"Could it be that there are two separate traits? The kind that pushes people to decide quickly in a way that is likely to lead to bad consequences, and the kind that allows people to decide quickly with good results." - Dr. Max McKeown

This insight encourages individuals to embrace their natural tendencies and use them to their advantage, fostering a more dynamic and responsive approach to life. Impulsivity, when harnessed correctly, can lead to positive outcomes and drive progress.

Two Kinds of Behavior

McKeown introduces the concepts of assessment and locomotion. Assessors focus on making the perfect choice, often leading to inaction, while locomotors prioritize action and progress.