First Things

In this episode, you will— Learn about my crazy summer. :D Discover my recent hacks regarding sleep, reading, and planning. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks.

In this episode, you will— Learn about the various aspects of life that can be considered “shallows” Discover various ways we can “drain the shallows” to regain more time in our day Hear about specific strategies to deal with meetings and email Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Learn that we can become addicted to social media Discover that we often use social media if it provides any benefit to our lives Hear about the "craftsman" approach to deciding which social media to keep in our lives Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, I talk about the hectic last few weeks I've had ... and some of the lessons I've learned.  We will return to our previous study in the next podcast.

In this episode, you will— Learn that we can become addicted to avoiding boredom Discover that it is not unusual for your mind to wander Hear about strategies to minimize addiction to distractions Learn the importance of scheduling your distractions Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Learn about the 4 approaches to Deep Work: Monastic Bi-modal Rhythmic Journalistic Discover why I think an emphasis on Rhythmic (with occasional Journalistic) is the best approach for most people Hear about strategies you want to put into place when doing Deep Work Learn the importance of measuring Deep Work, and how your output isn't the best way to measure it Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about the importance of Deep Work. Learn that without intensity of focus, we are left with spending more time to achieve quality work. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about the importance of Deep Work. Hear from Cal Newport about how he implements this in his life. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about the various ways in which we can take long breaks. Discover the importance of "mini vacations". Understand the necessity of sleep. Hear how longer time off is something to consider. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about the various ways in which we can take short breaks. Discover the importance of naps. Discover the importance of short walks. Hear how exercise is not optional for us. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about how 4 hours of intense work is about as much as we can do. Discover the importance of a morning routine for your productivity. Discover the importance of Stopping. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about how work and rest are partners. Listen to various statistical studies about the importance of rest. Discover some of the problems we push regarding rest. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Hear about our new study on Rest. Listen to Alex Soojung-Kim Pang talk about the idea of Rest and details of his book. Be offered a free worksheet/guide on the topic of this month. Hear a preview of what will be covered in future weeks. For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

In this episode, you will— Understand why I quit podcasting. Learn why I decided to return to podcasting. Hear where we will be going with the podcast in the next year.

In this episode of First Things, I give a brief episode announcing that I am returning to the world of podcasting.  I give a few brief details of these plans.

Most would never guess the biggest secrets to verbal communication … learning to listen and observe.  This means our biggest hindrance is often our own mouths … from overuse! This week, we look once more at techniques to help us better observe and listen to people around us. Click to Listen “Listen & Observe” Show Notes […] The post #088 – Listen & Observe (Like Switch Pt 10) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We can implement certain “attraction laws” into place that will better enable deeper friendships.  Last week, we discussed one such law … the law of similarity. This week, we look into the various attraction laws and how to practically implement them into our lives. Click to Listen “Attraction Laws” Show Notes Law of Reciprocity: When […] The post #087 – Attraction Laws (Like Switch Pt 9) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

There are certain “laws of attraction” that we can invoke as tools to help us establish friendships.  One of these is the “law of similarity.” In a culture that often idolizes diversity, it is the commonality that often builds the strongest relationships.  What is the “law of similarity” and how can we use it effectively? […] The post #086 – Law of Similarity (Like Switch Pt 8) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We continue talking through the “Golden Rule of Friendship.”  How does this rule apply to compliments?  Do compliments help? Complimenting other people (especially new friends) can be a powerful tool. But … you must be careful and not abuse this technique. Click to Listen “Compliments” Show Notes I want to encourage you to give a […] The post #085 – Compliments (Like Switch Pt 7) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

The more you can let go of your ego, the better your friendships will be.  Making your conversations more about the other person (and less about you), the more people will love being around you.  This is referred to as the “Golden Rule of Friendship.” This can be very difficult to do since we want […] The post #084 – Golden Rule of Friendship (Like Switch Pt 6) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In previous weeks, we have looked are the various “friend” signals. But what about foe signals?  What are some things we may do that make us appear unfriendly to other people? During every social approach, humans must assess each other’s intentions. Facial expressions provide cues to assist in these assessments via associations with emotion, the […] The post #083 – Foe Signals (Like Switch Pt 5) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Trust … People size you up in seconds, but what exactly are they evaluating?  Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy has been studying first impressions alongside fellow psychologists Susan Fiske and Peter Glick for more than 15 years, and has discovered patterns in these interactions. In her new book, “Presence,” Cuddy says people quickly answer two questions when they […] The post #082 – Trust (Like Switch Pt 4) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

It’s well known that good communication is the foundation of any successful relationship, be it personal or professional. It’s important to recognize, though, that it’s our nonverbal communication—our facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice—that speak the loudest. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication, or body language, is a powerful […] The post #081 – Three Nonverbal Friend Signals (Like Switch Pt 3) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We continue our study on “The Like Switch” by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins. This week we look at the Friend vs Foe continuum as discussed in Chp 1. What is the “urban scowl”? And how might our nonverbal facial expressions be causing people to see us as undesirable or worse a foe in life? Click to […] The post #080 – Friend or Foe (Like Switch Pt 2) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We begin a new study this week on “The Like Switch” by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins. This week we look at the “Friendship Formula” as discussed in Chp 1. The Friendship Formula is rather simple:  Friendship = Proximity + Frequency + Duration + Intensity. In this episode, we discuss each of these aspects in […] The post #079 – Friendship Formula (Like Switch Pt 1) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

No one would ever say they want to live with regrets at the end of their life. Yet, we can get so busy in life, that we can never think through the very things that will cause regrets later.   Numerous research has shown what a lot of people consider as regrets at the end […] The post #078 – Without Regrets [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Wayne Dyer recently passed away. He was a hero of mine, and someone that I always listened to and realigned my life afterward. Dr. Dyer has many amazing teaching out, and I would encourage that you check them out.   In this episode, I talk about some of the top 10 things I have learned […] The post #077 – Wayne Dyer Tribute [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

I’m back! After a VERY long absence, I decided to return to podcasting. Where have I been? What have I been up to? What is the future of the show? Hear all about it! Click to Listen “The Return” Show Notes No show notes for this week. “The Return” Episode Resources   No resources for this […] The post #076 – The Return [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We introduced the concept of “mindsets” in our last episode. I always like to get the author’s perspective on their topic.   In this episode, we listen to a speech that Carol gave on the topic of mindset. Click to Listen “Carol Dweck on Mindsets” Show Notes “Carol Dweck on Mindsets” Episode Resources Resources on Mindset: […] The post #075 – Carol Dweck on Mindset (Mindset Pt 2) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference. Every so often a truly groundbreaking idea comes along. This is one. Mindset explains: Why brains and talent don’t bring success How they can stand in the […] The post #074 – Mindset Intro (Mindset Pt 1) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We have spent 22 weeks talking about the issue of Essentialism.  We are now at the end of our study on this, and today we give an Essentialism Summary.  In this episode, we cover the last chapter of Greg’s book, as well as go through a big overview of the entire book. What is the […] The post #073 – Essentialism Summary (Essentialism Pt 23) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

What does it mean to live fully in the now … the present moment? It means that your awareness is completely centered on the here and now. You are not worrying about the future or thinking about the past. When you live in the present, you are living where life is happening. The past and […] The post #072 – Now (Essentialism Pt 22) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

As we wrap up this study on Essentialism, I wanted to play an interview with Greg McKeown. I had hoped to interview Greg myself, but our schedules didn’t work out.  Instead, I want to play you a recent interview with Greg by Michael Hyatt.  This interview comes from Platform University, a wonderful interactive environment from […] The post #071 – Greg McKeown Interview (Essentialism Pt 21) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

In my life I’ve gone through periods of intense, driven productivity – months where everything fell into place, and my goals almost seemed to accomplish themselves. At the other extreme, there have been times in my life where I was completely overwhelmed, burdened by my different projects and responsibilities – and frustrated because so many […] The post #070 – Focus (Essentialism Pt 20) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow … toward your resonators … your dreams … your essential things. We can get so “destination minded” that we forget the journey in front of us. If we do this we lose site that making any progress is better than no progress. Click […] The post #069 – Progress (Essentialism Pt 19) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day. —Lao-tzu What is the obstacle that is keeping you back from achieving what really matters to you? By systematically identifying and removing this “constraint” you’ll be able to significantly reduce the friction keeping you from executing what is essential. Click to […] The post #068 – Subtract (Essentialism Pt 18) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

The problem is that very few people know what buffer is, let alone ever experience it. So why don’t we have any? Why are we so overcommitted and crazy-busy? Life is a long-distance run not a sprint. If you and I are going to be effective over the long-term, we have to create buffer and pace ourselves. […] The post #067 – Buffer (Essentialism Pt 17) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Margin is the space between our load and our limits.  It is the amount allowed beyond that which is needed.  Margin is something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations. If you and I are going to be effective over the long term, we have to create margin in our lives.  This is not […] The post #066 – Margin (Essentialism Pt 16) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

We previously likened looking at our lives as a journalist … listening, asking questions, connecting the dots, investigating. Another way to integrate Essentialism is to see yourself as an editor, where you edit your life. The root word for “decision” is cis or cid, which means “to cut.”  You see this root word in “scissors.”  A great way […] The post #065 – Edit (Essentialism Pt 15) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Sometimes we truly have so much to do, we don’t know which end is up. But sometimes the frenzy is self-induced. Feeling overwhelmed is sometimes a matter of perception – if you think you have too much to do, your limbic system takes over and you can’t think creatively about alternatives. Overscheduling is a common […] The post #064 – Uncommit (Essentialism Pt 14) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

I dare you … dare you to simply say “no” to the trivial many things in your life.  But how exactly do we do this?  Sometimes that is easier said than done. Yet, the right “no” spoken at the right time can change the course of history.  Are you ready to take this dare and […] The post #063 – Dare (Essentialism Pt 13) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Clarity … the first type of nonessential you’re going to learn how to eliminate is simply any activity that is misaligned with what you are intending to achieve.   We need a “mission statement” to help gain clarity in our lives.  Knowing what our goals are in life are the first step in saying “No” […] The post #062 – Clarity (Essentialism Pt 12) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

If the answer isn’t a definite yes, then the answer should be no.  Part of essentialism is being picky about what we say yes to.  Your most effective no is a well-defined yes.   Ok ok … but how can we really do this?  How can we implement a stronger, selective criteria into our lives.  We discuss that in this episode. […] The post #061 – Being Picky (Essentialism Pt 11) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Sleep … the last frontier.  These are the voyages of “Gee do I have to?” and “I can live off of just 4 hours” craziness.  The mission is to totally crash my life by going against every bit of research about what meaningful sleep actually is.   Ok ok … so I’m being a little […] The post #060 – Sleep (Essentialism Pt 10) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Many of us have been lied to.  We were told that play is trivial. That it is a waste of time …unnecessary … childish. And this is further from the truth. Play is essential in many ways. Stuart Brown, the founder of the National Institute for Play, has studied over six thousand individuals and has concluded that play has the power to […] The post #059 – Play (Essentialism Pt 9) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

I want to get personal today and tell you about some of my struggles (and successes) with Essentialism.  Also, I need your help!  I discuss some of the future of First Things podcast in this episode. I hope you will consider taking the first annual survey of First Things listeners.  The survey link is in […] The post #058 – SPECIAL: My Essentials and the Future of First Things appeared first on First Things.

Do you know how to LOOK for essentialism in your life?  How to find the essential things in your life?  Many people struggle with this vital aspect. We discuss some exercises you can do to find that “signal” among the noise of your life.  If you know what to look for, it is often easier […] The post #057 – Look (Essentialism Pt 7) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Space … we all desperately need it, yet our society does not give us space by default.  We must proactively build space into our lives. We need to set aside time to take a breath, look around, and think. You need that level of clarity in order to innovate and grow.  We talk about the […] The post #056 – Space (Essentialism Pt 6) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

You can do anything not everything.  Which problem do you want?  Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs.  It’s about deliberately choosing to be different. In this episode, we talk about the fallacy in which we think we must do everything.  The essentialist mindset, instead, realizes that we can do anything not everything. Click to Listen […] The post #055 – Anything Not Everything (Essentialism Pt 5) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Not everything in life is important … just a few … the vital few.  Most of what exists in the universe – our actions, and all other forces, resources, and ideas – has little value and yields little result.  On the other hand, a few things work fantastically well and have tremendous impact. We have […] The post #054 – Vital Few (Essentialism Pt 4) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.

Choice, this is the very first pillar … the first mindset we need to embrace Essentialism.  It is the ability to choose that makes us human. We often think of choice as a thing. But a choice is not a thing. Our options may be things, but a choice—a choice is an action. Click to […] The post #053 – Choice (Essentialism Pt 3) [Podcast] appeared first on First Things.