Taylor Made Thoughts

Scott Taylor
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Taylor-Made Thoughts is where I share my personal reflections on books, mental models, and frameworks that shape how I think and live. Whether you’re here for practical insights or to spark your own thinking, these episodes are crafted with care—just for you.

Episodes

  1. 17 Jul

    How Will You Measure Your Life?: Finding fulfilment using lessons from some of the world's greatest businesses (by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon)

    In this episode, I discuss How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon—a book that takes the management theories Christensen taught at Harvard Business School and applies them to one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: What makes for a fulfilling life? Rather than relying on inspirational advice, Christensen argues that the same principles that help companies succeed can also help us make better decisions about our careers, relationships, and personal lives. I spend most of the episode focusing on three ideas that stood out to me. First is the concept of deliberate strategy vs. emergent strategy. We often believe we need to map out every step of our future, but Christensen shows that many of the most successful companies—and people—arrive somewhere they never originally planned. The key isn't predicting the future; it's having clear values while remaining flexible enough to recognize and pursue unexpected opportunities. Next, I dive into motivation theory, exploring why money and external rewards only go so far. Christensen draws on research showing that while fair compensation matters, long-term fulfillment comes from meaningful work, opportunities to grow, responsibility, and making a genuine contribution. It's a useful framework for thinking about both our own careers and how we lead teams. Finally, we discuss outsourcing—not just as a business decision, but as a life decision. Which responsibilities should you keep because they create meaning or strengthen relationships, and which are better delegated so you can spend more time on what matters most? Viewing your personal life through the same lens as resource allocation in business can lead to surprisingly powerful insights. Whether you're building a company, managing a career, or simply trying to live more intentionally, this book offers practical mental models for aligning your daily decisions with the life you ultimately want to build. Books referenced (affiliate links): How Will You Measure Your Life?: https://amzn.to/4faaYjs Top Five Regrets of the Dying: https://amzn.to/3TnA060 Getting to Plan B: https://amzn.to/4wH3uu6 The Innovator's Dilemma: https://amzn.to/4wcAzhH Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning: https://amzn.to/3T7apOK Discovery-Driven Growth: https://amzn.to/4yt5K9S The Origin and Evolution of New Businesses: https://amzn.to/3T3z9ra

  2. 15 Jul

    Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better (David Epstein)

    We tend to think that more freedom, more options, and more resources naturally lead to better outcomes. In Inside the Box, bestselling author David Epstein (author of Range) argues the opposite: the right constraints don't limit us—they unlock our best thinking. In this episode, we explore why boundaries, deadlines, limited resources, and self-imposed rules can produce greater creativity, better decisions, and more satisfying work. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, history, and fascinating real-world stories, Epstein challenges the modern obsession with maximizing options and shows why "thinking outside the box" is often the wrong advice. We discuss: Why unlimited choice often leads to paralysis rather than freedom. How constraints force our brains to escape default patterns and discover genuinely novel ideas. The surprising ways great artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, and organizations have used limitations to create breakthrough work. Herbert Simon's concept of "satisficing" and why searching for the perfect option often makes us less happy. The hidden costs of constant multitasking and why behavioral constraints can improve both productivity and well-being. Why designing for edge cases often creates better solutions for everyone. How to deliberately introduce constraints into your own work to become more creative, focused, and effective. One of the biggest takeaways from this book is that creativity isn't the absence of limits—it's often the result of them. Whether you're building a business, writing, investing, or simply trying to make better decisions, Inside the Box offers a practical framework for turning constraints into a competitive advantage. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations about books, mental models, psychology, decision-making, and the ideas that help us think more clearly. Buy the book (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4f1putE

  3. 3 Jul

    Working Backwards: Insight, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon (by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr)

    In this episode, I dive into Working Backwards: Inside Stories and Secrets from Amazon by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr, focusing on two of Amazon's most influential management ideas. First, I explore the Working Backwards process—Amazon's practice of starting with a future press release and FAQ before building a product. Instead of asking, "What can we build?" the process forces teams to answer, "What would customers actually be excited about?" I discuss why writing clarifies thinking, how the PR/FAQ uncovers weak ideas early, and why this framework can be useful far beyond large tech companies. I also talk about input vs. output metrics, one of Amazon's core operating principles. While most businesses obsess over outcomes like revenue or profit, Amazon emphasizes the controllable inputs that actually drive those results. We discuss how identifying the right input metrics can lead to better decisions, faster learning, and more consistent long-term execution. Whether you're building a startup, launching a product, or simply looking for a better way to make decisions, this episode explores practical lessons from one of the world's most influential companies—and how you can apply them to your own life + work. Buy the book (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3SydyqF

  4. 20 Jun

    How to Combat the Ego: 2 Ways to Convince Yourself or Someone Else to Change Their Life

    We all know how hard it is to change our own behavior—and even harder to convince someone else to change theirs. In this episode, I explore two surprisingly effective ways to work around the ego, reduce resistance, and create real behavioral change. Along the way, I compare two competing models of personal development: the popular "be, do, have" philosophy that focuses on identity and breakthroughs, and the "do, have, be" approach championed by thinkers like Alex Hormozi, where action comes first and identity follows. Whether you're trying to improve yourself, influence others, become better at sales, or simply have more productive conversations, these ideas can help you sidestep defensiveness and make change feel less threatening.

  5. 19 Jun

    Reflections on 100 Cold Calls: Why Every Business Should Start this Way

    Episode Description I recently challenged myself to make 100 cold calls in 3 days—targeting dental offices, gyms, physical therapy clinics, and veterinary practices. In this episode, I share what actually happened, what surprised me, and what I learned. If you're starting a business, I make the case that every founder should do 100 cold calls before worrying about websites, logos, or marketing strategies. You'll learn more from talking to real prospects than from weeks of "research."

  6. 16 Jun

    Tao: The Watercourse Way (Allen Watts, Al Chung-liang Huang)

    For this episode, I discuss The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts, a book that explores Daoism through ideas like the Dao, yin-yang polarity, and wu wei—or effortless action. The biggest theme that stood out to me is that the things we want most often seem to elude us, while the things we care less about arrive naturally. Looking back on my own life, I've repeatedly gone after one outcome—money, business success, achievement—only to receive something entirely different, like better health, meaningful friendships, or personal growth. The book argues that much of our suffering comes from trying to force life rather than working with it. Instead of viewing reality as something to conquer, Daoism encourages us to move with the natural flow of events, much like water finding its course. Another idea that resonated with me is that suffering and success often go hand in hand. Many accomplished people seem to go through significant hardship before achieving their greatest results. Rather than resisting difficulty, Daoism suggests that it may be an essential part of growth. My main takeaway is that life may be less about control and more about alignment. The harder we force outcomes, the more resistance we create. Sometimes the most effective action is not doing more, but learning when to let go and trust the process. Link to the book: https://amzn.to/4oCA4dC (affiliate)

  7. 8 Jun

    What the CEO Wants You To Know: How Your Company Really Works (Ram Charan)

    One of the biggest lessons I took from What the CEO Wants You To Know by Ram Charan is that business is much simpler than most people make it. Great CEOs focus on a handful of fundamentals: customers, cash flow, return on invested capital, and growth. Instead of getting lost in departments, metrics, and complexity, Charan argues that everyone should understand how the business actually makes money. It's a short, practical book that helped me think more like an owner and less like a specialist. Get the book: https://amzn.to/4uyEnIq (affiliate)

  8. 2 Jun

    Tim Ferris’s - Fear Setting

    In this episode, we explore Tim Ferriss's powerful concept of Fear Setting—a practical exercise designed to help you overcome indecision, anxiety, and procrastination. Instead of focusing only on goals, Fear Setting encourages you to define your fears, examine the worst-case scenarios, and create plans to prevent or repair potential setbacks. Learn how this simple framework can help you make better decisions, take meaningful risks, and move forward with confidence. Resources: • Tim Ferriss TED Talk: Why You Should Define Your Fears Instead of Your Goals — tim.blog/ted• Fear-Setting Exercise Slides (PDF) — Fear-Setting Sample Slides Fear-setting is a framework Tim Ferriss has described as one of the most valuable exercises he does, helping him evaluate risks, reduce anxiety, and make difficult decisions with greater clarity.

  9. 25 May

    The Psychology of Hope — How to Actually Achieve Your Goals

    Welcome to *Taylor-Made Thoughts* — a series exploring mental models, psychological frameworks, and practical tools for improving thinking and increasing your chances of achieving meaningful goals. Each episode breaks down actionable ideas and mental tools you can apply immediately in your own life. In this episode, I reflect on *The Psychology of Hope* by C. R. Snyder and explore six mental tools that can help you actually achieve your goals — including agency, “waypower,” flexible thinking, and building alternative paths when obstacles arise. I discuss how these ideas connect to motivation, resilience, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, along with my own notes and reflections from the book. Get the book: https://amzn.to/4v9D9Es (affiliate link)

  • 9 Episodes

About

Taylor-Made Thoughts is where I share my personal reflections on books, mental models, and frameworks that shape how I think and live. Whether you’re here for practical insights or to spark your own thinking, these episodes are crafted with care—just for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Taylor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Scott Taylor
  • Show Website
    Taylor Made Thoughts