Episode # 59: IN-Q on Why Dissatisfaction Could Be Your Greatest Asset for Growth

✍️ Episode Overview

In this profound conversation with award-winning poet and multi-platinum songwriter IN-Q, host Will Moore explores the complex relationship between dissatisfaction, happiness, and personal growth. IN-Q shares deep insights about transforming life's challenges into fuel for positive change, drawing from his journey from underlying sadness to integrated wholeness. The discussion weaves through topics including technology's impact on society, the nature of happiness as a range rather than a fixed point, and how to harness dissatisfaction for meaningful growth. The conversation offers a fresh perspective on why feeling unfulfilled might actually be the catalyst needed for transformation, challenging listeners to reframe their relationship with discomfort and growth.

The episode delves into how modern society's instant gratification culture affects our pursuit of happiness, with both host and guest sharing personal experiences about overcoming fixed mindsets and embracing continuous growth. IN-Q's unique perspective as an artist who has transformed pain into powerful creative expression provides valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand and harness their own dissatisfaction for positive change. The discussion culminates in practical wisdom about writing as a transformative practice and the importance of acknowledging and integrating all aspects of ourselves, even the uncomfortable ones.

Through engaging dialogue and personal anecdotes, the episode illuminates how the Moore Momentum System's approach to continuous growth aligns with IN-Q's philosophy of personal transformation, offering listeners practical insights for their own journey toward sustainable happiness and fulfillment.

📖 Chapter Summaries

Technology and Human Nature - (0:00 - 15:45) The conversation begins with a discussion about technology's double-edged nature, using the example of airplane WiFi to illustrate how quickly humans become dissatisfied with innovations that were previously unimaginable. IN-Q and Will explore how this tendency toward dissatisfaction reflects deeper patterns in human behavior, particularly in our current era of instant gratification. They delve into how this affects our ability to appreciate progress and find lasting satisfaction, touching on the movie "Transformers" as a metaphor for our increasing expectations and tendency to criticize rather than create.

The Equation of Life and Happiness - (15:45 - 30:20) The discussion shifts to Will's discovery of the "Equation of Life" app, which presents a circular relationship between striving for more and feeling dissatisfied. Initially seeming depressing, Will explains how he transformed this understanding into a positive force for growth. They explore how this perpetual cycle of dissatisfaction and striving can either trap us or propel us forward, depending on our mindset and approach to personal development. The conversation touches on how this relates to the five core areas of life and the importance of continuous growth in each area.

Social Media and Modern Challenges - (30:20 - 45:10) This segment examines the current state of social media and its impact on personal well-being. IN-Q offers a unique perspective, comparing social media to a teenager going through growing pains, suggesting that these platforms might eventually mature into more positive forces. They discuss how even successful social media influencers struggle with comparison and the importance of developing a healthy relationship with these tools. The conversation includes insights about how to navigate the digital age while maintaining authentic personal growth.

Transforming Pain into Growth - (45:10 - 59:00) A deeply personal section where IN-Q shares his experience with underlying sadness and how he transformed it into creative expression. They explore the concept that happiness is not a fixed point but a range, and how this understanding can help people navigate their growth journey more effectively. The discussion includes insights about the integration of different emotional states and how to use seemingly negative experiences as catalysts for positive change.

Writing as Transformation - (59:00 - 1:03:21) The episode concludes with IN-Q sharing his most transformative habit: writing. He explains how this practice has served as a powerful tool for self-expression and personal empowerment throughout his life. The discussion includes practical information about IN-Q's writing workshops and how others can use writing as a tool for personal growth and transformation. This segment offers concrete ways for listeners to begin their own journey of self-discovery through creative expression.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Happiness exists within a range rather than at a fixed point. Understanding this concept helps release the pressure of trying to achieve a permanent state of happiness. Instead, focus on developing the resilience to move through different emotional states while maintaining forward momentum in your personal growth journey. This perspective shift allows for a more realistic and sustainable approach to well-being.

2. The equation of life (striving for more because we feel dissatisfied, feeling dissatisfied because we strive for more) can be transformed from a negative cycle into a positive force for growth. By accepting this natural human tendency and channeling it into purposeful development across the five core areas of life, we can use our innate drive for more as fuel for meaningful progress.

3. Modern technology and social media platforms are in their adolescent stage, creating both challenges and opportunities for personal growth. Rather than rejecting these tools entirely, focus on developing a mature relationship with them that supports rather than hinders your development. This might involve setting boundaries, being selective about engagement, and using them as tools for genuine connection and learning.

4. The integration of past pain and difficulty is more valuable than trying to eliminate them entirely. Instead of seeking to remove all negative emotions or experiences, work on owning them as part of your journey and transforming them into fuel for growth. This approach leads to greater emotional resilience and authentic self-expression.

5. Writing serves as a powerful tool for personal transformation and emotional processing. Regular writing practice can help explore and express complex emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth. This habit provides a concrete way to work through challenges and document your journey of transformation.

6. Instant gratification culture can erode our ability to find deep satisfaction, but understanding this dynamic allows us to consciously choose different paths. By recognizing the value of earned achievement and gradual progress, we can develop more sustainable sources of fulfillment and happiness.

7. Competition in the digital space should focus on creating positive impact rather than purely monetary gains. This perspective shift can help transform how we use and develop technology, leading to more ethical and beneficial innovations that support genuine human growth and connection.

8. The transition from a fixed victim mindset to a growth owner mindset requires patience and consistent effort. This journey involves small, incremental changes that compound over time, eventually leading to significant personal transformation. Understanding this prevents discouragement during the process.

9. Environmental design and conscious habit formation are crucial for sustainable personal growth. By creating supportive environments and deliberately choosing habits that align with our desired direction, we can make positive change more natural and sustainable.

10. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential skills that often aren't taught in traditional education but are crucial for success and happiness. Developing these skills through practices like writing, meditation, or therapy can significantly impact overall life satisfaction and personal growth.

🥇 Golden Habit

Definition of Golden Habit: "A 'Golden Habit' is the optimal habit to relieve a pain point/replace a bad habit because it's personalized to your DNA, goals, and lifestyle in order to maximally reduce the friction to form it.

The Golden Habit should be: - DESIRABLE: Should be enjoyable and rewarding. - PRACTICAL: Must easily integrate into one's existing routines. - IMPACTFUL: Expected to significantly enhance well-being."

This Episode's Golden Habit: In this episode, IN-Q shares his golden habit of writing [59:38], which he has maintained since age 15. Writing has served as his primary outlet for self-expression and empowerment throughout his life. It's a golden habit because it naturally aligns with his artistic inclinations, requires minimal resources to practice, and has profoundly impacted his personal growth and professional success.

Related Core Area: This habit primarily aligns with the Emotional & Mental Health Core, addressing the pain point of processing complex emotions and experiences. Through writing, IN-Q has found a way to transform emotional challenges into creative expression and personal growth.

🚀 READY PLAYER ONE?

Are you ready to transform your life and achieve big through disciplined habits? It's time to take the valuable insights from today’s episode and put put them into action. Discipline isn't just about adhering to a schedule—it's about building a foundation that will catapult you toward success in all areas of your life.

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🫅 Bio - IN-Q

IN-Q (Adam Schmalholz) is an award-winning poet, best-selling author, and multi-platinum songwriter whose achievements have earned him recognition on Oprah's Super Soul 100 list of the world's most influential thought leaders. As a pioneering artist, he made history as the first spoken word performer to collaborate with Cirque du Soleil and has been featured on prominent platforms including A&E, ESPN, and HBO's Def Poetry Jam.

His viral poetry videos have garnered over 100 million views combined, speaking to his ability to connect with audiences through authentic and powerful storytelling. IN-Q's work explores universal themes of love, loss, forgiveness, transformation, and belief, reaching people across cultural and demographic boundaries. His recent book "Inquire Within" continues his mission of inspiring audiences to look deeper into themselves and the world around them.

Through his live performances and storytelling workshops, IN-Q has impacted audiences worldwide, helping people unlock their creative potential and discover their own voices. His unique blend of poetry, music, and performance has established him as a influential voice in contemporary artistic expression and personal development.