Connections That Matter Podcast

As we mark the final episode under the "Accelerate" format, I make a few announcements and then share the conversation I had recently with perfectionism coach Liz Onyeabor. For the video version plus links to the assessment mentioned in the podcast, visit https://www.youtube.com/@mattstoneco. 

Talking more about the purpose of this podcast moving forward and wrapping up this chapter. 

Talking about my plans for this podcast. Listen to find out what's coming soon, and why I'm so excited about it. 

Talking about intuition and its limitations in the context of creativity. Creative exchanges and activities, in community, help break the repeating loops and expand possibilities beyond the preconceived limits of our prior experience. 

We all live with a volcano inside. It's valuable to understand the cost and opportunity when the periodic eruptions disrupt and exhaust while creating new opportunities.

Recounting the weekend and also a powerful book called, "Let your life speak," which offers readers an opportunity for insights about how to find the vocation that is most true to self and life with more joy and fulfillment. 

After eight months living in the NYC area, I'm reflecting on how many wonderful people I've met. One key to creating that opportunity has been to join organizations. 

When making big decisions, writing the story of that decision in a letter form and reading to yourself is a great way to gain perspective and move forward with more confidence and clarity. 

When making what feels like a big decision, the pressure to announce it can feel overwhelming. But every person lives in a constant state of change, so taking a one-day-at-a-time approach and letting go of a sense of obligation to roll out a decision publicly can be useful to maintaining serenity and going with the flow of life. 

Talking about the benefits of using curiosity about self to attain and nurture healthy perspective and make wise decisions. 

The seasons are a great metaphor for life and how we transition from one phase to another. Summer is a season of wonder and possibility, while Fall helps us narrow our priorities as we take action to maximize resources and opportunities in the Winter. The only way that priorities matter is when we let go of some options in favor of others.

Discussing recently published data on the personal impact of the stress many Americans are feeling about the state of the nation. (source: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/10/multiple-stressors-no-function?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=apa-press-release-stress&utm_content=sia-pr-oct22)

Talking about strategies for greater success in changing times, especially the concept of starting new things even if you can't see the outcome. (Reference: https://www.fastcompany.com/90791092/3-strategies-to-disrupt-yourself-for-greater-success-in-changing-times)

The actor Ryan Reynolds is increasingly gaining a great reputation, and it may be for good reason. Speaking at a conference this year, Reynolds shared how conflict resolution has played into his success. 

On Mondays, many of us think about what we want to accomplish or the hurdles we must overcome in the week ahead. But setting a goal of simply being present each day, and especially during each interaction can lead to even more meaningful results. 

Committing to at least one daily practice can have a grounding effect that helps us stay present and see our growth, one day at a time. 

We all know about the concept of helping and loving others unconditionally, but many struggle with the practice of accepting help on the same terms. 

A high-growth mindset is powered by openness. Beware the many traps of our society that want to put us in a box, or in a corner. That can only happen if we allow it. 

There's one question we can ask ourselves that will improve happiness, whether we're unhappy or already happy. (source: https://psyche.co/ideas/asking-one-simple-question-can-entirely-change-how-you-feel)

The benefit of being in the presence of a Master goes beyond learning from their wisdom and skill. We can see our own potential through their humanity and mortality. 

Talking about a key learning from Marshall Goldsmith's latest book, The Earned Life. Ambition will get us far, but we need something else in order to be fulfilled. 

Investing in others with warm-heartedness is like having money in the bank. 

There's no time like the present, which makes today the perfect day to take action on meaningful things. 

New research reveals how we tend to underestimate the true positive impact of our random acts of kindness on others. (Source: https://news.utexas.edu/2022/08/18/random-acts-of-kindness-make-a-bigger-splash-than-expected/)  

Talking about the one intentional behavior that will put your relationships at home and at work on track for sustained growth and success. 

A thought provoking and inspiring episode of another podcast (Smartness) has me thinking about what it means to commit to a long term strategy that is true to myself. 

Unrealistic expectations can cause disappointment and repeated, unhelpful failures. Setting micro goals is a great way to keep our minds in good shape and we leap forward toward our big visions. (Source cited: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-healing-crowd-the-new-science-hope-and-the-power-learned-hopefulness/202209/getting-real-0)

For most ventures to take off, they have to narrow down their focus so there's no confusing about what problem they solve. That doesn't mean eliminating services around other problems. 

I've been using a technique recently that has dramatically improved outcomes during collaboration and consultation calls. 

There's a Japanese author who takes people on hikes in the middle of night to experience the sensation of embracing and becoming one with the darkness. (Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2022/09/19/lifestyle/japan-night-walking-tours/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1FhmW6ttprhmHGJfvGir9bNJn75ISsebmeVskBY4wjfHeLTPpbCCSLeQc#Echobox=1663542959)

Some early regrets in life can deliver a lifetime of insight and learning.  

It's one thing to resolve in your head to make a change, but we don't know that we've actually made a decision until the behaviors follow. 

I found some old materials from a global executive training program I used to facilitate that reminded me of the power of personal storytelling as a way to connect and collaborate better. 

Walking into a gym packed to the rafters can be demotivating, but it can also be an opportunity to develop other types of muscles that are useful in all areas of life. 

When I first started podcasting a couple of years ago, I was paralyzed by all of the equipment options. Then I stumbled on a successful podcaster online and sent a cold message asking for advice. To my surprise, he responded! And I got out of paralysis. 

According to a recent study, the two top predictors of living a long life have to do with our interpersonal relationships. (source: https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_pinker_the_secret_to_living_longer_mahttps://youtu.be/ptIecdCZ3dg)

Sometimes solutions come from unexpected sources. When pondering a conundrum, it is often the best strategy to put a call out to the brain and then do other things. Then the answer will come, sometimes at very unexpected times. 

Building an enterprise from the ground up is a long, and both tortuous and torturous journey. Deep and genuine friendship with people who have walked in your shoes is perhaps the most valuable asset to getting through the difficulties and being able to truly celebrate your successes. 

A high energy and story-filled conversation with Denver-based consultant and coach Alecia Huck on common leadership challenges when a small business grows beyond its comfort zone. As Alecia puts it, "bigger is different." Her experience helping leaders successfully navigate growth brings with it a lot of great lessons for life and business. We also cover Alecia's path to founding her company, Maverick and Company, almost twenty years ago. (The mentoring network for veterans that was mentioned in the episode is here: https://www.veterati.com.)

Thinking about ourselves can be dangerous to our health and should be done skillfully, intentionally, and in moderation. 

There are many things that contribute to exhaustion, dwindling presence, and burnout. One of them is doing too many things at once. 

There's a rhythm to constant progress that includes intense execution, pausing to develop insight, and unplugging to restore energy. It's important to find your rhythm and best ways to do all three.

Gratitude helps us accept that which we cannot control, and much much more. (see https://gratefulpeoples.com)

Kobe Bryant set multiple records and won championships. But do you know how many shots he took and missed? Lessons from the legacy of an NBA superstar. (Article link: https://kareem.substack.com/p/why-we-love-kobe-bryant-he-took-the?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)

A bit of this and that, plus an observation about the small ways we can either tear ourselves down or uplift our "selves" as we accelerate toward our potential.

A conversation with Chris Holter, who recently made a big leap after a 30 year career as an executive with Marriott International to that of Executive Coach for conscious leaders. Chris covers a wide range of topics including her big leap journey to her current role, how to become a conscious and future ready leader, and how playing to your team members' individual strengths improves performance…and much much more! Chris is so full of positive energy and wisdom that you just don't want to miss out on this great conversation.

A disastrous diner experience provided a great opportunity for insight on leadership and collaboration over the weekend. 

A learning shared from this week's creative exercises about going back to an old school method of using index cards to help follow up with, and deepen, new connections. 

Matt shares a personal story that reminded him about the cost of making assumptions. 

In the latest example of a long tradition of trying to label each other, a company has created their own personality profiling tool that reduces employees to one of four colors. In a world of dehumanizing experiences, these well-worn workplaces tactics intended to "connect" are all too often a de-motivator.