339: From Autopilot to Intentional Living: Ignite Your Life with Dr. Jeff Karp's Life Ignition Tools (LIT)

On Air with Ella episode 339

Dr Jeff Karp, LIT is On Air with Ella 339

We want a more intentional life...but HOW do we create it?

In a world filled with distractions and external influences, it can be challenging to truly tune in and live an intentional life. The constant bombardment of information and the design of our environment to keep us distracted can hinder our ability to recognize our inner voice. However, by taking the time to pause, reflect, and acknowledge our desires, we can begin the journey towards intentional living.

In this episode, "bioinspirationalist" Dr. Jeff Karp shares life ignition strategies that act as specific catalysts for personal growth and intentional living.

Our culture atomizes our attention. It cubes our time, and it flattens our imagination. - Dr. Jeff Karp

How can you use LIT to break old patterns and spark new ideas?

Life Ignition Tools (LIT)

Dr. Jeff introduced the concept of Life Ignition Tools (LIT) - holistic tools to tap into a heightened state of awareness. By infusing creativity and connection into our everyday experiences, we can deepen our interactions and live more intentionally.

Activation Energy & Low Energy Brain State

The obstacle to action is the energy it takes to get started – the activation energy. It’s the amount of purposeful energy it takes to get something started and then to continue with it. Activation energy constantly influences our everyday choices.

Dr. Jeff explained how our evolutionary inheritance can lead us to default to a low energy state, and shared strategies to overcome this inertia. He also details how the best way to make change happen is to take deliberate steps to lower "activation energy" - the amount of effort required to start. We do this through small steps that lead us toward our goal.

Use Your Intention to Focus Your Attention

One of the several techniques Dr. Jeff shares is the "Pinch Your Brain" technique. By focusing on redirecting attention and being present in the moment, we can cultivate mindfulness and make intentional choices in our daily interactions, leading to a more empowered and fulfilling life.

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Dr. Jeff Karp

ABOUT DR. JEFF KARP

Jeff Karp, PhD, is an acclaimed mentor and biomedical engineering professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Distinguished Chair at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

He has dedicated his research to bioinspired medical problem-solving, and his lab’s technologies have led to the formation of twelve companies. The technologies they have developed include a tissue glue that can seal holes inside a beating heart; targeted therapy for osteoarthritis, Crohn’s disease, and brain disorders; “smart needles” that automatically stop when they reach their target a nasal spray that neutralizes pathogens; and immunotherapy approaches to annihilate cancer.

Dr. Karp is also head of innovation at Geoversity, Nature’s University, a rainforest conservancy located in one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. He was selected as the Outstanding Faculty Undergraduate Mentor among all faculty at MIT and the top graduate student mentor of Harvard-MIT students.