Menu
New Mexico News Port
Journalism and Innovation from The University of New Mexico
  • Creative NM
  • Curious NM
  • Enjoy NM
  • Green NM
  • Justice NM
  • Healthy NM
  • NM Voices
  • Political NM
  • Raising NM
  • About Us
Close Menu
Stoff Koetler Piece
September 10 2015

Author’s book presentation at Epicenter leaves audience buzzing

Creative New Mexico

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][text_output]

By Jenna Stoff / NM News Port

Albuquerque’s entrepreneurial scene is buzzing after Steven Kotler’s presentation at EpicenterABQ, a downtown hotspot for people to come together and share innovative ideas.

Kotler, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of “BOLD: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World,” shared insights from his book with a crowd of about 50 people, including fellow entrepreneurs, community members and UNM students.

“The world’s biggest problems are the world’s biggest opportunities,” he said. “To put it differently, the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to help a billion people.”

His book revolves around just that: how people can reach their full potential, predominantly through the power of neuroscience and technology. Kotler is co-founder and director of the Flow Genome Project, an international organization formed in 2012, geared at studying the science of human performance. From the military to the general public, Kotler and his partners are focused on training people to “perform their best when it matters most.”

Kotler said there is a name for this phenomenon, first explored by researchers in the 1960s and 70s.

“Ultimate performance has a signature, and it has the same signature in every domain,” he said. “It is a state of consciousness that researchers call ‘flow.’”

Over the years, people have referred to it as being “in the zone” or simply a “rush.” Kotler described the state of “flow” as “near perfect, high-speed decision making.” Intellectual performance is amplified because neurochemicals are triggered to enhance creativity, learning and motivation all at once. The concept, according to Kotler, has led to the artistic and technological breakthroughs shaping our future today, such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing and hydroelectric cars.

Regina Puccetti, director of certificate programs with UNM College of Fine Arts and Anderson School of Management, said she enjoyed Kotler’s presentation, as well as being a part of a panel discussion. With her own students, Puccetti has recognized ‘flow’ and its effects during group projects.

“It’s when students seem to find that place of joy, creativity, energy and fascinating results,” she said. “They love that energy, but I don’t think any of us realized they were in the flow.”

Art and business students from UNM, particularly Puccetti’s Introduction to Art Management class, were actively involved in the discussion as well. A variety of topics were brought to attention, from impacts of robotics on future job opportunities, to the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship.

For Zeke Chavez, the idea of starting a business after college has crossed his mind. Chavez, who is graduating with a degree in economics this year, said that he plans to embrace the evolving job market and technologies to come.

“I wish some of these tools were available when I first started,” he said. “Students often feel that they don’t have the skills to succeed, but with developments like the Innovation Academy, there are plenty of resources.”

Kotler said one idea to keep in mind is that passion drives performance.

“Remember, you have the decision to go bold,” he said. “Do what you love and the rest will follow.”

Jenna is a freelance reporter at UNM. She can be reached on Twitter @JennaStoff

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Trio of students forms News Port intern team this semester Journalism students dig into local innovation economy

Related Posts

Cover picture

Creative New Mexico, Top story

After closing, patrons reflect on Winning Coffee

By Matthew Narvaiz and Shelby Coen / NM News Port / Winning Coffee, a staple of the Bricklight District on Central Avenue of more than 20 years, closed down on April 20 — and its effects on the community have been felt by many. One unnamed customer at Winning wrote a letter saying how they’d […]

kids at play

Creative New Mexico, Top story

Irving Village has A slow start

By Bethany Johnson / NM News Port / The first open air market on the westside of Albuquerque has yet to materialize. The Irving Village project was set to open in November of 2018, but remains mostly a vacant asphalt lot with some empty shipping containers. As manager Alan Pettit envisions it, Irving Village will […]

IMG_1519

Creative New Mexico, Top story

Nutrition experts flabbergasted by ‘diet culture’

By Elaina Jameson / NM News Port/ From social media to pop culture, research shows millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, may be overly influenced by physical looks and negative stereotypes. Researchers have found a strong association between social media and young people’s body image, which can have toxic results. Jessika Brown, Director of Nutritional […]

News Port Named Best Independent Online Student News Site!

photo of award certificate

Congratulations to News Port! The judges for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Awards named this site its “Best Independent Online Student Publication” for 2019. Read about our exceptional regional and national honors! 

SUPPORT THE PORT!

Can you believe we just turned 5 years old?! If you’d like to help us get to age 10, please support The Port! You’ll help grow student reporters committed to high quality, ethical journalism for New Mexico.  Donate to the Fund for Journalism Innovation at the UNM Foundation!

Search the News Port Archives

@NMNewsPort on Twitter

Tweets by @@NMNewsPort

How are you experiencing COVID-19? We want to hear from you.

Help us report on the coronavirus outbreak by sharing a tip or personal story. We’ll never identify you without your permission.

FEATURED PARTNER

Check out our news partner New Mexico In Depth and their coverage of criminal justice, politics and other statewide issues.

FEATURED PARTNER

Searchlight New Mexico is a non-partisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to investigative reporting and innovative data journalism.

FEATURED PARTNER

Visit the venerable Daily Lobo, our reporting collaborator on issues that affect the University of New Mexico.

Back To Top
New Mexico News Port
Follow, Share and Engage with NM News Port!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Creative NM
  • Curious NM
  • Enjoy NM
  • Green NM
  • Justice NM
  • Healthy NM
  • NM Voices
  • Political NM
  • Raising NM
  • About Us
Comodo SSL
New Mexico News Port is an independent journalism lab based at the UNM Communication and Journalism Department. Our mission is to support the state's local news ecosystem through innovation, collaboration and publication -- with students. Contact: nmnewsport@gmail.com