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Best podcasts about finer details

Latest podcast episodes about finer details

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E58 - The Culture Effect

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 30:56


This week, McKay talks about aspects of the culture effect, including creating culture, maintaining it, and how to rescue it. He opens up with a story detailing Tonga's devastating volcanic eruption and how the Tongan culture, which values respect and open-mindedness, helped the people weather the storm. McKay notes that, when teams or families have a strong culture, they will thrive and prosper, but, on the other hand, when culture is weak, it can destroy your team and everything you're working for. McKay also emphasizes that, as leaders, we have the opportunity to influence and shape the culture that drives us, and goes on to share that, to do so, we must learn to value feedback. So, make sure that you are slow to speak and quick to listen when it comes to creating a culture and values. Likewise, an influential leader will lead by example, sharing and modeling the values by which they hope their team will abide. McKay draws this episode to a close with one final piece of advice: be careful who you let join your team. All it takes is one person to totally alter your culture, so protect it and you will protect your team as well.The Finer Details of This Episode:Tonga's devastating volcanic eruption The fall of IBM Defining culture Influencing culture The importance of feedback Sharing and modeling values Why mid level managers create cultureQuotes:"Tongans look out for each other and respect others. Many Tongans may avoid outward signs of wealth or affection. They dress in modest ways, and they're highly receptive to other people's opinion and behavior.”“Culture can guide a team, lead a company to thrive and prosper, or culture can, like toxic ash, choke a team and cause companies to fail, or fall.”“Most leaders don't understand culture and they don't know how to diagnose or influence it.”“Culture can help teams be more agile, loyal and effective… Culture can also be a significant liability when it's misaligned with your strategy or values. And it doesn't matter how dysfunctional your culture may be on your team today, you can improve it with a plan and intentional effort.”“So, like the researchers in Roseto, you may have to set up camp for a while on your team, maybe even in your family - watch, listen, and observe. See if you can uncover some of the cultural behaviors and assumptions that your team members have.”“You see, some leaders stopped showing up for the small things. And the result? Their people do the same. What you do duplicates, so if you want to change the culture on your team, model the behavior.”“Hire and recruit people who exemplify what culture you're trying to create. And over time, these managers will influence your entire team. So be very selective about the people you let influence your team.”“Listen, learn, and determine where your culture is today to define the mission and values that will underpin your future culture.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E57 - What Makes You Happy?

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 30:10


On today's episode, McKay explores the concept of happiness, including where to find it, and how to hold on to it. To intoduce this rather expansive topic, he opens up the show by reviewing Elizabeth Smart's story - her brutal experience getting kidnapped and raped, and her journey toward happiness. McKay says that, while it's true that happiness is partially dependent upon circumstance, we can also attribute a large portion of our happiness to dedication, the people who raised us, and those with whom we surround ourselves.He goes on to introduce more conditions for happiness, noting that, when we have admirable intentions and goals in our lives, for example, we find more daily satisfaction. Even the love we share and receive plays a large role in how content we are. McKay draws this highly positive podcast episode to a close by reminding the audience to find joy in the little things, and by offering this invaluable advice: “Stay poised in tough situations—good will prevail. Exercise. Serve. Have Faith. Be humble and watch…. You will be happy.”The Finer Details of This Episode:Elizabeth Smart's journey Happiness dependent on circumstances Set happiness Taylor Swift's NYU speech The value of intention Love and happiness Darren's happy landing Focusing on the little thingsQuotes:"As the days passed, she started to realize that this may be her new way of life.”“He has taken 9 months of your life that you will never get back, but the best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy.”“Happiness is a choice.”“Married people report a slightly higher happiness level than single people. In research, 25 percent of married people and 21 percent of single people say they are very happy. In short, circumstances such as wealth or marital status only impact our happiness in small ways.”“We get more from our parents than eye color and facial features. We may get a large set of our happiness from them or from others. How we grew up or who we have interacted with throughout our life, does dictate our level of happiness.”“People with aspirations have higher energy levels, stronger immune systems, stronger mental health and feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem.”“I agree with the researchers. I believe happy people see the best, even in the toughest situations. They are empowered with poise and optimism.”“Remember, that only 10 percent of happiness depends on circumstances. Fifty percent is heritable. So be a person who sees, talks about and shares the good in life. You can pass on the habit of happiness to others and be a blessing to them.”“Focusing on the small things in life that bring you joy.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E55 - The Best Speech of Your Life

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 33:22


What makes a speech remarkable and memorable? McKay answers this question in today's episode as he brings to light examples of great speeches and teaches us how to improve our speaking skills. In order to connect with your audience, McKay explains that you have to focus on your audience, prime them to think in the same mindset, use stories to carry them along, and ask questions.The episode begins with the story of Abraham's Lincoln speech, a short speech that inspired many and continues to do so to this day. McKay explains how Lincoln makes use of repetition and constraint in his speech and how he recognized his physical surroundings and atmosphere, giving more power to his speech. Mckay gives a step-by-step approach on how to become a better speaker by connecting more fully with your audience and making your speech less about you and more about your listener.The Finer Details of This Episode:Abraham Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg Using repetition and contrast in speeches How to become a better speaker You have to focus on your audience and connect with them The story behind “I Have A Dream” Starting your speech by priming the listeners The different examples of priming Priming with stories and jokes The power of asking your audience questionsQuotes:“Great orators, when giving a speech, seek a cadence, a feeling, by their use of words.”“Great speaking is a developed talent.”“Too often, we don't consider the place or the audience. And so many speakers come at it from their own point of view, or make it about themselves. And this gets in the way, it prevents the listeners from fully engaging.”“Pay attention to where you sit. Sit where you can easily make contact with the listeners. Eye contact makes all the difference. ”“In the beginning of a presentation, you need to prime the listeners a bit so that they can follow you more intently. Priming brings the listener's mind into your mindset and gets everyone on the same track.”“Too often, I hear speakers tell personal stories, and they're focused on sharing the story like an overzealous friend who just returned from vacation and wants to show you their vacation pictures. And they share every single exhausting detail about themselves.”“Priming is a useful skill in all of your speaking. And when you learn to prime well, you can elevate your effectiveness.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E54 - How to Treat a Tick

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 33:11


On today's episode, McKay talks about how to turn the skeptics and critics in your life to supporters and partners. He shares several principles that can help bring skeptics to your way of thinking. First, approach everything from their frame of reference. Often the smartest person in the room tends to be the quietest one, because they first seek to understand. He goes on to talk about the importance of speaking with authenticity. McKay shares the experience of Nelson Mandela who used the power of helping others feel validated to prevail in one of the most significant negotiations of all time. McKay then talks of how parents and people can use trust to influence the skeptics and critics in their life. McKay then shares the tactics of Robert Cialdini to develop more influence with people in our life. These tactics include reciprocity, explaining why, contrasting, and social proof. So, put these skills to test when dealing with the skeptics or critics in your life. They will help you win them over to your way of thinking.The Finer Details of This Episode: Shania Twain's vocal cords infected by ticksTicks as a metaphor for skeptics The importance of listening Using trust to win over skepticsThe power of authenticityValuing others' opinionsNelson Mandela's quest for equality and freedomPracticing what you preachThe rule of reciprocityQuotes: “​​Turning skeptics into believers, and critics into partners can be done. And learning the skill to do that is not only useful in sales and business, but also with kids, spouses, and a host of other people in our life.”“When I'm talking to a skeptic, I don't always know how to bring them to my side, but after listening often, that way to bring them over is revealed to me. It's in listening that you gain your inspiration of how to persuade them.”“People who ask questions are often the smartest in the room, because they have the humility to ask about what they don't know.”“Next, winning the skeptics, critics, or other ticks to your side is a matter of trust. And trust is a function of two characteristics: character and competence. You may have someone with extreme character on your team, but if they're not competent, you don't trust them to do what needs to be done.”“So answer questions directly and genuinely. And remember, rapport is not enough to bring skeptics to your side.”“You see, Mandela understood that to get the people with the guns to give up the power, he had to convince them that they would be safe after doing so.”“​​When people know why you're building a business or your children understand why there is a rule, they're much more apt to comply.”“Remember, shut up and listen. Use questions to guide the direction of the discussion but make sure the skeptics and critics feel understood. Then talk to them in their language and from their point of view.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E53 - The Rest of Your Story

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 30:23


On today's episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay talks about getting over obstacles or mistakes in your life. More often than not, we find ourselves looking to the past and focusing on what we could have done differently or better. McKay argues this is harmful behavior. The only true way to overcome the past is to accept where you are, see your current circumstance as a blessing, and look towards the future. McKay illustrates the power of leaving the past behind in his story of a skydiver's accident that rendered her less capable of walking. He notes that Emma could go on to live her life with an immense sense of regret or she could forgive herself, acknowledge the past, and put her energy towards writing the rest of her story. Where you put your focus in life is where you will go. So if you're constantly looking back, you will stay there, but if you look forward, you will move onward and upward. It's why McKay talks so much about the importance of healthy thought patterns. He draws this episode to a close on an uplifting note: when we look ahead and develop a positive mindset, we take control over our own destinies, so make peace with who you are and what you've done, and move on. The Finer Details of This Episode: The only way out is throughGetting over past mistakesNoel's free falling accidentSkeleton sleddingLooking forward instead of backwardThe importance of healthy thought patternsHow Emily Blunt overcame her stutterQuotes: “Yes, she was falling. Yes, she was about to die, but she was so grateful for her life. It turned her panic to peace.”“She now views her body so much differently. It's no longer something that defines her image, but rather a tool for her to live and enjoy the world.”“You must learn to break with and from these thinking patterns, and close that chapter in your life.”“In sledding, and in life, where you look is where you'll go. You see, our lives are shaped by where we look. And if you're looking back, that's where your thought patterns go. And if you're looking forward that too is where your thoughts and your life will go.”“Aristotle famously said, ‘We are what we repeatedly do.' Excellence then is not an act but a habit. I think the same is true of what we repeatedly think.”“So stand at the door of your mind, and only let in what is positive and helpful.”“Sometimes you have to follow a script. You have to act a bit before the change you're trying to accomplish feels entirely natural to you.”“Close that chapter in your life, and come to know the rest of your story. If you've fallen, be grateful for what you've learned, accept where you are, and move forward.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E52 - Keep Your Faith

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 30:33


On today's episode, McKay talks to the audience about the importance of faith, and begins by introducing the story of Desmond Doss and his unwavering faith and peaceful determination at Hacksaw Ridge. McKay frames faith as a commitment to a choice, and the more we act on that choice, the more we reinforce our faith - reminiscent of Isaac Newton's laws of motion. Moving forward and taking steps, no matter how small, keeps our momentum in the right direction.He next advises listeners to eliminate distractions since they only serve to slow us down and divert us from our faith and purpose. Fear can also skew faith; it can lead to feelings of helplessness and certainly loneliness, and that's why McKay talks so much about action and moving forward. He draws this episode to a close by urging everyone to feed their faith for at least 15 minutes everyday, noting that human potential is limitless, and to let that go to waste would be a shame. The Finer Details of This Episode:Desmond's faith at Hacksaw RidgeCommitment to choicesThe importance of moving forwardScottie Scheffler's Masters winEliminating distractions5 truths about fearsWhy human potential is limitlessFeeding your faithQuotes: “The more you act, the more faith you create. My faith is strong and grows when I am in an active state. When I am in a passive state, I lose my faith.”“In an active state, you learn, grow and feel like you are doing something within your control.”“Distraction is the great thief in life. It will divert your attention, capture your interest, and rarely return any value to your life. When you decide to do something remarkable in your life and place your faith in yourself and your decision, the first thing to do is to clear the path; remove any potential distractions.”“What we need to realize is that faith is a sales job. Each day we are selling to ourselves the thing in which we are placing our faith. That means the longer we go without acting on that thing, the less likely we are to act.”“Remember, action is the great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is the result of fear. Any action is better than no action at all. To prevent the law of diminishing intent, act now.”“Each day, set aside 15 minutes to feed your faith. It's a daily feeding time that will keep you focused and give you the wherewithal to keep your mind in the direction you should go.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E51 - Looking for a Miracle

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 30:32


This week, McKay talks about miracles, opening up the episode with the story of pilot and pioneer, Amelia Earhart, and the unbelievable tale that is the rescue of McKenzie Morgan. He argues that both stories are miracles in their own right, and these miracles can happen to us so long as we open our minds and hearts to them. McKay says it's all about realizing your worth. Too many people believe themselves unworthy of serendipitous positivity when that couldn't be further from the truth. We all deserve miracles - sometimes we just need to open our eyes to them.McKay goes on to discuss the importance of self forgiveness and overcoming past mistakes. It's easy to feel that your past has seemingly predetermined your future. If you open your eyes, however, you might find that miracles are all around us, especially in the people we meet everyday. McKay draws this episode to a close by celebrating the life of Indy Ju who, before tragically passing away from leukemia at a young age, inspired millions to believe in miracles again. The Finer Details of This Episode: The story of Amelia EarhartMcKenzie Morgan's rescueOpening our minds to miraclesBeing in the right place at the right timeThe importance of knowing your worthOvercoming past mistakesIndy Ju's courageous battle with leukemia Quotes: “We must have been in the mountains that day for a reason.”“​​When you are looking for a miracle, maybe you are more open to the advice of others, maybe you take more chances, maybe your heart is inclined to have faith in someone or something.”“I believe that these small miracles happen in our lives all the time. Moments of clarity that we don't always arrive at on our own. The point is, sometimes you need to be looking for a miracle. Maybe take a chance or two.”“You deserve love, forgiveness, strength and happiness. You may not feel like you deserve it, but you do. You are of immense worth and here on this earth to find peace and rise from the ashes.”“The millions of people who were inspired by and connected to this little girl with down syndrome has been nothing short of miraculous. Miraculous to those who needed to look beyond their own circumstances, to grandfathers who need redemption, to neighbors who need to care about each other, to people who lack faith who need to look. Miracles happened because of Indy Lu, and miracles can happen because of you.”“This world is filled with so much good. There is so much to be grateful for. So, as we end today, remember McKenzie. Be willing to be in the right place at the right time.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E50 - Discover Real Wealth

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 31:34


Today on the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about creating lasting wealth, and opens up the episode with two stories about Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff - both of whom schemed investors out of billions of dollars. He points out that, unlike Ponzi, Madoff, and their corrupt practices, in order to create genuine wealth, one has to define what wealth truly means. The next step according to McKay to generate wealth is to save and invest, and goes on to urge the audience to diversify these investments in order to best mitigate risk.Last but not least, McKay argues that investors simply think differently, and if people want to be wealthy they should do so as well. Investors think like owners, whereas the ‘average Joe' might be more likely to think that their income is sufficient enough to live on without investments. This is why McKay believes so strongly in the power of financial education - after all, if we don't take the time to learn the game, how are we ever supposed to play it?The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of Charles PonziDeciding what real wealth means to youThe importance of saving and investingDiversification and averagingHow to minimize taxes Why investors think differentlyQuotes: “When something is too good to be true, it most likely is. I can't tell you the number of times people have come to me telling me about the latest sure thing, and that sure thing doesn't turn out.”“These schemes often promise high returns with little risk. Educated investors understand there is always risk.”“Riches are not an end in life, but an instrument in life.”“The goal of good investing is to get your money working for you. This seems obvious, but getting the right mindset about investing is really important.”“When you get educated, you'll learn that the older you get and the closer you come to needing your money to live on, the more you need to reduce the chances of volatility.”“An investor thinks differently. They don't think about how much they can earn as an employee, they think about how much they can earn as an owner.”“Determine what real wealth means to you. Get your plan established. Start investing today. Build a diversified portfolio, and average into the market. Take advantage of tax advantaged investments. Get educated, and give 10% of what you earn.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E49 - It's No Fun Being Poor

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 30:46


This week on Open Your Eyes, McKay talks about why it's no fun being poor. He opens up the episode by recounting the plot of the Oscar Award winning film, CODA, in which the protagonist's family rises above the poverty line and comes to live a much more fulfilled life as a result. Next McKay talks about his friend's work building wells in the Republic of Congo and educating the community about maintenance and education. McKay remarks that this education and access gave Congan people the opportunity to rise above their water scarcity and focus on growing other areas of wealth. These two stories lead to McKay listing his three markers for wealth: a complete lack of debt, having savings to provide for an emergency, and having 10% of your wealth to give away. He urges the audience to do so by cutting monthly spending in half, increasing monthly income, paying off your lowest debt balances, and eventually paying off your mortgage. A lack of debt fuels confidence and contentment in life, and McKay concludes the episode by reminding us all that it isn't fun to be poor, but it's extremely fun being debt free. The Finer Details of This Episode:The synopsis of Apple's CODABuilding wells in the Republic of Congo The three components of wealthThe importance of cutting monthly spendingIncreasing your monthly incomePaying off debtHow a lack of debt fuels confidenceQuotes: “The truth is, it's no fun to be poor. And another truth is: no one has to be.”“Bringing people from poverty has as much to do with their learning and understanding as it does about them actually having materials for wealth.”“You're wealthy if you're completely debt free, you have adequate savings to provide for you and your family if you stopped working, and you're able to give away 10% of what you earn.”“Don't buy it unless you can pay cash for it.”“By cutting monthly spending and adding monthly income, paying off the lowest debt balances first, and then applying that to your mortgage, you're soon out of debt. ““I've seen people with a lot of things who are emotionally and spiritually poor, because they believe what they have defines who they are.”“The peace and security of being out of debt is worth so much. As I mentioned, it teaches you to be content, to stop using debt to satisfy your wants; it sets the course for a life of frugality and humility.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E48 - Your Money Mindset

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 30:14


Today, McKay discusses how to change your money mindset. He opens up the podcast by discussing the tragic day when Sergeant Jay Rosenberry saw his children and friend flailing in a riptide. While he successfully saved his children, his friend Mark didn't make it. McKay likens this tragic unpreparedness for the riptide to the lack of understanding we have about our money habits, and he goes on to discuss how we can better improve our financial decisions. First, McKay discusses the importance of developing small habits - by spending small amounts in the right places, one saves money to invest in the future. Like McKay says, it's all about the value of the opportunity cost. His next tip pertains to procrastination - the longer a person waits to become financially literate, the more money they lose. He relates this message to the current inflation in the U.S. and urges the audience to get out of debt now. Afterall, now is the perfect time to start changing our money mindsets. McKay brings this episode to an end by talking about the value of learning from past mistakes. The Finer Details of this Episode:Sergeant Jay's horrific moment saving his family from a riptideThe importance of smaller habitsThe value of opportunity costWhy there's a cost to waitingGetting out of debtLearning from your past mistakesQuotes: “Mark J said, ‘My instinct was to go after the eight-year-old now that he was alone, because I knew he couldn't swim. As he stumbled back toward the ocean, he heard Christie's shrieking voice pleading, ‘Please save my boy'.”“This is very much like other things in life, we often get ourselves into trouble because we don't understand the circumstances around us.”“Small habits lead to big results.”“Investing money is often filled with mistakes. And sometimes we have to be hit upside the head, so to speak, to get the point.”“There's no value in looking back. Accepting responsibility for our decisions means learning from it, setting it aside, and moving on.”“So many people have tried to invest and learn lessons the hard way. I've spent money poorly and made bad choices–we all have. The question is, will we learn from our mistakes?”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E47 - Are You Entitled?

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 33:04


Today, McKay explored the sense of entitlement on the Open Your Eyes podcast. He starts off by introducing various examples of moments when individuals were and weren't entitled, beginning with the story of a man who was tired of waiting for his flight. He then contrasts that example with George Washington and his heroism fighting against the British army. McKay notes that, like George Washington, we are entitled to nothing in life. If we start to adopt this mindset that nothing is guaranteed to us, we would be all the more happy. McKay goes on to recall a story about a man who can sleep when the wind blows - a tale of preparation and diligence teaching us that things won't fall into line unless we do. Similarly, he argues that adversity is important because it forces us to be resilient and to take responsibility for ourselves - when we teach our children that life owes us happiness and success, they'll hardly be prepared to face real challenges. McKay also talks about his work at a nonprofit where he helps children get involved in science at a young age to stimulate this type of growth mindset. He draws this episode to a close by detailing the journey of Elon Musk's Tesla company and its humble beginnings demonstrating that success isn't just entitled to us, it's made.The Finer Details of This Episode: The difference between working hard and feeling you're entitled to somethingWashington's heroic efforts in the fight against the BritishWhy we are entitled to nothing in lifePreparation and the “I can sleep when the wind blows” parableThe importance of adversityWhy growth mindsets encourage confidence and persistence The journey of Elon Musk's TeslaQuotes: “Things like the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution came about because of character, determination, hard work and even some chance. It was the individual choices and actions of the people at the time that gave birth to the country where some of us live. They were far from entitled.”“The truth is that no one owes you or me a living, and no one is going to hand you or me a great life.”“​​I believe he had the mindset to persevere especially when things got tough. He knew they were not entitled to freedom. They had to earn it.”“Here's the thing: I worry that my children and you and me tend to think that the freedoms we enjoy, to speak freely, to worship in the manner we choose, to have free and fair elections, and many other things, were somehow bestowed upon us because we are entitled.”“Sometimes we think we are entitled; entitled to freedom, entitled to a happy life, to a job, to benefits, and all of the other things that we enjoy. But the truth is, we are entitled to very little.”“We must remember to prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.”“Kids who develop this ability to struggle through answers have less anxiety and stress, increased attention capacity, fewer symptoms of attention deficit disorders, more confidence, ability to make independent decisions, improved physical and emotional health, and they perform and have a better attitude in school.”“Remember, we are not just entitled to freedom of any kind, whether it be political, financial or emotional - it must be earned.”“Now is the time to work so you can sleep when the wind blows, whatever winds may come.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E46 - It's Time to Move

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 27:21


Today, McKay talks all about action on the podcast, starting off the episode by recounting Ernest Shackleton's 1914 expedition to Antarctica. After two years of combatting ice, cold temperatures, and the ocean, Shackleton finally managed to save his team and bring them home. McKay attributes his unlikely success to his willingness to move and set his plans into action, and points out that many of us overthink far too much and are paralyzed by our thoughts. To overcome our overthinking, action is the best remedy - making moves, changing our thought processes, and cultivating what McKay calls our emotional homes are key to success.During the latter half of this episode, McKay introduces Larry Lemieux, an Olympic sailor who made the heroic decision to forfeit his pursuit of the gold medal to save his competitors drowning in the water. It was his quick action skills that made this move possible - he didn't overthink. Likewise, McKay draws this episode to conclusion by detailing Sarah Lift's decision to leave her abusive household at the age of 15. He says that her fast acting, like that of Lemieux, changed her life and led her down a path to emotional freedom and financial success. Listen in today as McKay demonstrates that, truly, “there is power in moving and keeping your focus on the next necessary part of your life's journey.”The Finer Details of This Episode:Ernest Shackleton's 1914 mission to Antarctica Why overthinking is a bad habit Why action assuages overthinkingThe importance of a healthy emotional homeLarry Lemieux's heroic move at the OlympicsSara Lift's decision to leave her abusive householdQuotes:“We let habitual thinking freeze us from time to time, and the way out of our situation, or to safety or success, just might be to move. Action is a powerful force, not only in our life, but in our minds.”“The problem with overthinking is it can become a habit, and soon we get hung up on relatively simple decisions. We worry excessively, our mind tends to go into overdrive, and we even begin to think about our thinking.”“Overthinking can prevent us from taking action by keeping us trapped in circular thoughts. When we overthink, we may be unable to separate facts and what we know for sure from the worries we keep telling ourselves.”“You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading your last one.”“Overthinking plagues many of us, and we can change the rumination going on in our life and our thinking by focusing on what's next.”“Stand guard at the door of your mind. Only build rooms for the people and technology that helps you direct your thinking.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E45 - Stay In Your Lane

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 33:57


On McKay's 50th podcast episode, he talks about the importance of staying in your lane, and opens this week by introducing the story of Sarah Blakely, the creator of SPANX. He talks about her unhappiness as a fax machine saleswoman and her perseverance in the industry. Only after dedicating herself to her position did she serendipitously find success in the hosiery business. McKay notes that, although dedicating yourself to your craft in the face of unhappiness is no easy feat, giving yourself fully or staying in your lane is the most surefire method to achieve success. He goes on to recall the story of Dirk Nowitzki, the starting center for the Dallas Mavericks. McKay remembers the moment when Dirk turned down high offers at other teams and chose to stay with Dallas - a prime example of staying in your lane. He didn't forego his path for the sake of money, but stayed true to his goal. McKay concludes this episode by reminding us all that there is huge value in being loyal to others, to your calling, to your values, and that you will find you can travel faster, make more progress and feel better about who you are when you stay in your lane with confidence.The Finer Details of This Episode: Sarah Blakely's journey to create SPANXFinding serendipitous successThe importance of giving yourself fullyDirk Nowitzki's loyalty to the Dallas MavericksWhy imitation never worksWhy one should avoid worrying about othersFocusing on yourself Quotes: “You see too often in life, we don't stay in our lane. We think things are better doing what someone else is doing or want to shift strategy, because things are temporarily hard or something else seems a little more inviting.”“You develop skills and meet people that can likely change the course of your life. And on it goes.”“Give your full commitment to your relationship even though things aren't perfect.”“There is depth in anything you give yourself to fully.”“Staying in your lane is more than being focused, committed, or loyal. It also means you give yourself to what you were called to do.”“Stick to your lane until the time is right to add a boat or camper, and until then, smile.”“Now I've known people who are very good at staying in their lane in life. They just have this way about them. They're not worried about other people. They're not obsessed with what other people do wrong. They're just confident and observant and patient and comfortable with who they are.”“Next time you're tempted to be nosy or out of your lane, or critical of someone else or wanting to direct their life, say to yourself, ‘I've resigned from that job.'”“Every second you spend driving someone else's car is not spent driving yours.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E44 - A Worthy Goal

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 29:37


McKay talks about the importance of goals in today's episode, and he opens up the episode by recognizing the success of Mike Krzyzewski as Duke basketball head coach. Only after seeing his book in an airport, did McKay read it and learn about having worthy goals. He ties Coach K's story into that of Chris Norton, a football player who suffered a paralyzing injury in a football game, highlighting his determination and how he defied all odds to walk again. McKay finds it important to add that you are the only person who has control over your destiny, and at the end of the day, your goals and capacity for growth are up to you. The next lesson he learned from Coach K was that losses can be wins, as seen in the example of Dave Ramsey, a failed real estate man turned publishing phenom and radio host. McKay says that he would hardly have success in his career had he not failed miserably at first. To make drastic changes in your life and succeed, he says that the big moments are far less important than the little ones in between, and that creating daily habits and small changes makes all the difference. McKay also urges the audience to keep a positive mindset, pointing out that, when you worry about losing, you deem your goals unworthy of your commitment. To close out the episode, McKay encourages listeners to let go of the past, because it only serves to drag you down. The Finer Details of This Episode: Mike Krzyzewski and having worthy goalsChris Norton's paralyzing injuryYou determine your futureLosses can be winsDave Ramsey Total Money MakeoverThe importance of changing your daily habitsPositive mindsets Why you need to let go of the pastQuotes: “I saw a book called Leading With The Heart by coach Kay, I bought it. And by the time I landed in Salt Lake City three hours later, I had devoured the book. And from it, I learned several principles that changed how I lead.”“He decided he was going to stand and walk again. Well, the first thing that happened was a few days later. He moved his left arm, and that tiny movement gave him hope. And with this little bit of encouragement, his dad said to Chris, ‘Chris, there's no challenge too big that you can't conquer.'”“Perhaps you want to get that degree or get out of debt or whatever you're striving to do. Remember the only person who can tell you that you can't win is you, and you don't have to listen.”“I had two choices. Was I going to spend the rest of my life feeling sorry for myself? Was I going to make a stand? And I know one thing, when they tell you, you have a 3% chance of moving anything below your neck again, forget the 97; focus on the three. Yes, my life changed forever, but through my experience, I realized–it was up to me, and I had the power to stand.”“A worthy goal does more than Inspire. It causes you to see yourself differently.”“It doesn't matter if you win every game, but play each game with all your heart. And most of all, remember, family is everything.”“Dave's loss in the game of real estate enabled his win in the game of publishing and helping others improve.”“To change your life, you must change your day.”“When I focus on what can go wrong. I changed my tactics. I lose my strength and it works differently on my psyche.”Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E43 - How's Your Energy?

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 33:04


Today's episode finds McKay guiding the audience on a path to sustain one's personal energy. He opens the episode by discussing Bitcoin's mining scarcity and how it negatively impacted the personal will power of those like James Halls, who misplaced his Bitcoin retrieve code worth millions of dollars. This story prefaces his statement that personal energy drives will power and emotional sustenance. McKay goes on to use the neutrino discovery and the radish v.s. cookie experiment to articulate how emotional energy continues or stops. He urges us to subscribe to habits like clearing clutter, focusing on being the best version of ourselves, and engaging in healthy lifestyles to sustain high energy levels, while also warning us that when we chase status and titles, we lose our sense of place and purpose. McKay goes on to state that a variety of healthy lifestyle practices in tandem with human connection are key to energetic sustenance. As he brings this episode to a close, McKay tells the story of Paul McCartney and the woman who inspired the song ‘Eleanor Rigby', concluding that some of the greatest sources of energy are found in the solace of a fellow human being. The Finer Details of This Episode:James Halls' storyPersonal energy drives will powerNeutrinos discoveryRadish vs cookie experimentEmotional energy sustenanceHow listening to stories boosts a broader vocabularyWhy cleaning the clutter is calmingTitles don't fuel us in the long runBecome the best version of yourselfThe importance of healthy food and activitySpecific adaptations to imposed demandsPaul McCartney's ‘Eleanor Rigby' inspirationQuotes:“A study out of UC Berkeley concluded that listening to narrative stories, like the ones you find in this podcast, can stimulate multiple parts of your brain in healthy ways. And this stimulus reduces stress and anxiety.”“In May of 2020, researchers at York University showed that symptoms of Alzheimer's are halted by up to five years in people that fluently speak more than one language.”“Clutter represents unfinished business.”“Instead of just focusing on limiting sugars, carbs or inflammatory foods, be sure to increase the variety of nutrients in your diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, and lean protein.”“‘The benefits of having such a diverse gut microbiome from a rich variety of food are impressive.”“Workout variety is important for both your physical and mental health because it helps keep you from being bored with your existing routine. And research shows that adding variety to an exercise program helps us adhere to it better, because we enjoy our workouts more.”“Remember, improving your energy in life is done on purpose. Try a few new ways to bring energy to your life.”“Bring variety to your life, to your diet, and exercise. And remember, people may in fact, be the greatest source of energy in your life.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E42 - More Than Enough

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 29:54


In this week's episode, McKay discusses the importance of an abundance mindset. He opens the podcast by discussing Britney Bowe's Olympic history and her decision to give up her spot in the 2022 Olympic trials to Erin Jackson. This selfless act hardly granted Bowe a medal, but it led Jackson to win gold in the women's 500 m speed skating event. Christensen argues that this is a prime example of abundance thinking and grace. Because humans tend to resent and envy the success of others, especially those in close proximity, Christensen urges the audience to replace envy and resentment with grace. He then goes on to detail another Olympic tale between Mikaela Shiffrin and Sophia Goggia. After Shiffrin practiced with Goggia's skis and got her fastest time, Goggia gave Shiffrin her skis before an event in the hopes that she might be as successful in the competition as she was in practice. The story exemplifies how abundance and grace can transform our attitudes and help others in a positive way. In contrast, McKay then tells the audience about the tense relationship between Thomas Edison and his once student, Nikola Tesla. When Edison dismissed and admonished Tesla for one of his suggestions, Tesla quit and decided to patent his own ideas. He eventually received the notoriety he deserved and was tasked with engineering Chicago's famous World Fair instead of Thomas Edison. McKay segues into the episode's conclusion where he discusses the inherent value of personal worth and security that comes from an abundant mindset. He closes out the podcast with a quick anecdote about Jesse Owens and Luz Long's friendship that blossomed from the 1936 Olympic Games. Long is rumored to have given Owens advice before his gold medal run, despite being Owens' opposition. While Owens came out on top, the pair developed a lifelong friendship in the face of a disapproving Nazi Germany. Long story short, McKay advises that if we truly believe that there is enough success and happiness to go round, prosperity will come.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of Britney Bowe giving up her spot so that Erin Jackson could win GoldThe importance of rejoicing in others' victoriesWhat abundant thinking isWhy we resent others' successMen envy occupational success; women envy physical attractivenessWhy we envy close friends moreHow to replace envy with graceSophia Goggia gifting Mikaela Shiffrin her skis for an eventEdison's scarcity mentality and how he devalued Tesla's ideasThe inherent value of personal worth and securityThe friendship between Jesse Owens and Luz LongQuotes: “Every day, in most things we do, we have a choice. We can see things as scarce, like the chances to win a race at the Olympics and decide not to help or cheer others on, or we can see things as abundant—that there is more than enough for everyone.”“I believe one of the most powerful characteristics you can develop in life, one that will reward you for years to come, is to rejoice in the other person's victory.”“It's common that our reaction to other people's success isn't always positive. We tend to draw comparisons between what we have and what we perceive others are having—our thoughts get distorted and what they have grows in our minds and what we have shrinks at the same time.”“In one survey, more than 74% of respondents reported experiencing major envy recently in their lives. Surprisingly, researchers found that we most often envy others of our own gender.”“When you take envy out of your heart, it needs to be replaced with something, otherwise the void will be filled with envy again. So what do you fill it with? Grace.”“Most people

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E41 - Your Time Will Come

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 29:34


There are moments in our lives when feelings of doubt or fears of failure discourage us from following our dreams or striving toward goals. In fact, many of the world's greatest success stories failed countless times before finally achieving success and notoriety. McKay Christensen opens today's podcast with Garth Brooks' origin story, so to speak. He details the failure and discouragement that inevitably forced Brooks to abandon music in Nashville for the comforts of his home in Oklahoma. After returning to Stillwater, OK, however, he realized that he no longer belonged in the town he used to find solace in. So, only after heading back to Nashville for the second time and enduring additional bouts of failure and rejection, did Garth finally find success. In the wake of signing to Capitol Records, Garth Brooks became a household name and the top selling act of the past two decades. McKay goes on to remind us that, like Brooks, there is a right time and place for each of us to find what we're looking for so long as we don't give up. He says that people often quit too soon because of hurdles and daunting challenges. Christensen urges us to stop asking God to remove obstacles and tests from our lives, because they serve to hone our skills and strengthen us in the end. After all, success is a marathon, not a sprint. He then goes on to talk about snowboarding Olympian, Lindsey Jacobellis, who, after doing a trick that cost her a gold medal in 2006, she had to endure over a decade of failure until she finally won Olympic gold in the 2022 winter games. McKay says that things rarely go as planned. He looks back at who he thought he would become at the age of 20 and finds that he's far from where he expected himself to be; and he sees this as a good thing. Life is full of uncertainties, and failure is a necessary component for success. Without it, McKay says we lack the mental toughness and wisdom that inevitably propel us to reach our goals in the end.The Finer Details of this Episode: Garth Brooks' bouts of failure and doubt before finally achieving music stardomPeople often give up before their inevitable breakthroughHow tests help us find positive outcomesPlaying the long game is important (like the stock market)Ingrid Olsen's story of praying for God to stop the windWhy we shouldn't pray for obstacles to ceaseThe beauty in life's uncertaintyThomas Adams' struggle to find a use for chicle Why failure is a learning experienceHow Lindsey Jacobellis won gold at 36 years of age in the 2022 Olympics after over a decade of failureQuotes: “One of the truths we all learn in life is that much of the good that comes our way comes our way in its own time.”“Never give up. Keep trying. There's a reason you are where you are.”“If massive good didn't come from grief and loss and even stupid mistakes, God wouldn't allow grief and loss and stupid mistakes.”“Too often, we look so long and so longingly at the closed door that we don't see the one that is opening.”“Because of the loss we've had or our mistakes, we feel unworthy to even think that the best is yet to come, and those limiting beliefs hold us back from what God has intended for us. So let yourself believe that you are of immense worth, and your time will indeed arrive soon enough.”“When we're under pressure, we never know what we really believe until our beliefs are tested. We don't know our capabilities until they are tested. And perhaps in those tests, we are learning that we can do hard things.” “So tests are good for us, because they affirm strengths and reveal...

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E40 - Finish Your Race

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 29:08


We all have important races we are trying to finish in life. For some, that race may be to finish college, or get their business to the place they know it can be, or to raise honest and capable kids. For others, it might be to lose the weight, beat cancer, or survive and thrive after divorce. Whatever our race is, McKay reminds us all today that we are endowed with great talents, and that if we stay in the race, we can prevail and reach our full potential.He uses the story of Dale Earnhardt and the Daytona International Speedway as a metaphor to introduce today's topic, elaborating on some proven secrets of getting back and finishing the race in your life. These include unhooking the load that's holding you back, whether that's your past, criticism from other people, or longstanding habits. McKay also delves into the remarkable story of the never-giving-up American speed skater Dan Jansen who finished his race despite personal difficulties and years of failure by breaking a ten-year Olympic record. At the heart of McKay's message today is to not let life's inequities keep you out of the race, but to stay focused on your purpose and discover that you are actually meant to be driving in the greatest race of life – becoming who you are meant to be.The Finer Details of This Episode:Dale Earnhardt's experience on the Daytona International Speedway. Finishing your race despite adversity Proven secrets to getting back on the track and finishing the race A chemist, an electrician, and an IT guy get stranded after their car breaks down... The importance of rebooting in finishing your race Unhooking the boat of your past, your habits, or the criticism of other people Dan Jansen's race A lesson to not let life's inequities keep you out of the race—the story of Victoria Ruvolo Quotes"Few people understand the extreme danger of driving at such high speeds. And it takes courage - immense courage - to finish each race. But it was something that his Dad did 136 times in his career.""There is joy in trading paint in the bumps and bruises of the race. And it's there that you find out who you really are, you learn how to protect those in the race with you and secure the lead, and you live life more fully when you're in the race.""It is likely that we ordinary people are being asked to do extraordinary things and may even be racing right now without the right equipment or vision.""My dad took me aside and said, 'Son, if you ever want to win a NASCAR race, you'll have to unhook the boat you've been towing behind your car the last 10 races.'""Here he was in his fourth Olympics after enduring one disappointment after another and still dragging the weight of those falls.""As ridiculous as it may be to see a car in the Daytona 500 pulling a boat behind it, it is just as crazy that you and I still carry these mindsets of the past.""How do you win when you are in a tug of war with your doubts? Drop the rope.""As John C. Maxwell said, 'You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.'""One lesson I want my children and grandchildren to learn is that life is rarely, if ever, fair. The truth is that we must take control of our life now. There is usually no hero coming to save the day. Life is unfair. And usually, there is no referee to call out the fouls or offenses that come our way. I learned a long time ago that everything in life is not fun or interesting or easy."Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E39 - Reinvent Your Life

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 30:17


There are times in our lives that call for reinvention. It doesn't have to be some dramatic thing, and it doesn't have to happen at any certain age - it only matters what it is you are inspired to do as you chart your course for the next stage of your life. Today, McKay reminds us that we are, at our core, full of possibilities, and discusses the power of reinvention as well as the steps to take to reinvent yourself through inspiration and incubation.He begins with the story of Keira D'Amato and how she reinvented herself. He then talks about steps to reinventing yourself by identifying your problem, finding a solution, incubating and acting in the moment of inspiration. Listen in today to learn about acting in the moment of inspiration, running toward your reinvention, and watching your God-given talents shine and grow.The Finer Details of This Episode:How Keira D'Amato reinvented herself The great impacts of the printing press What is reinvention? Steps of invention Learn how to build your day How to reinvent your life The power of incubation Acting in the moment of inspirationQuotes:“It's like you open your eyes after a decade of living your life and keeping up with the busyness of things and look at who you are and wonder, ‘Is this who I am or even who I want to be?' ”“When you reinvent yourself, the best is yet to come.”“What problem, large or small, needs to be fixed or addressed in your life right now?”“The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”“We all need a little reinvention now and then. And we all have something about us, about our brand, so to speak, that makes us attractive, but too often people run from reinvention.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Ayanda MVP on 947 - 12PM - 3PM
Struggling to recall the finer details

Ayanda MVP on 947 - 12PM - 3PM

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 3:33


These are the moments where the laughter echoes in your mind, but the specifics remain elusive. Perhaps you've woken up with mysterious bruises or scratches, each one a silent testament to the adventures you've had. It's often the stories recounted by friends or the snapshots captured on your phone that fill in the blanks, piecing together a narrative of spontaneous joy and mischief.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E38 - Why You're Attractive

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 32:02


Studies summarized in the book Beauty Pays indicate that attractive people earn more than people considered average-looking. In a large nationwide study, it was shown that beautiful people make 15% more than others in the exact same jobs. Given all of this, you may wonder if physical appearance is all there is to be attractive. The answer is a resounding 'No'. In today's episode, McKay brings together stories, studies, and real-life examples of what makes people attractive, opening your eyes to what truly makes you pleasant, and stressing why you need to know what draws you to people.To kick off, McKay tells the tale of the successful moon landing of the heaviest rocket ever built after numerous failures with previous rockets, explains how people are unaware of why they're attracted to something or someone, and lays out that factors such as early childhood experiences can subconsciously draw a person to what they're attracted to. McKay also explores one significant point—attractiveness has a broader definition beyond mere physical beauty and it has more to do with who you are than how you look. citing other such important aspects as positivity, empathy, and interest in other people. He warns against speaking ill of other people in their absence and highlights the fact that being a good listener is attractive. In essence, McKay's overall message here today is that when you are intentionally positive, practice genuine empathy, speak only good of people, know when to say nothing, and be a person who seeks to learn from other people, your God-given attractiveness will shine and grow – a valuable message for all to heed.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of the heaviest rocket landing on the moon The analogy of the rock found on the moon to today's topic—why you're attractive Why people are attracted to the things they're attracted to A study from the book Beauty Pays relating attractiveness to earning Attractiveness goes beyond mere physical beauty; it has more to do with who you are than how you look The significance of understanding why you are attractive How positive interaction creates more attraction and affinity Case studies of how childhood memories influence attractiveness Other reasons for attraction include similar attitudes, beliefs and values, demographic characteristics, and nonverbal behaviors The attractiveness of positivity, empathy, and being a listener Three things you must always ask yourself before you say anythingQuotes"Research shows that our attraction often stems from our patterns of experiences in life going back to early childhood.""Remember, attractiveness has a broader definition beyond mere physical beauty.""It's proven that attractiveness has more to do with who you are than how you look.""If you're in the people business and have regular interaction with the human side of work, whether it be with customers, vendors, or team members, it helps to have a good understanding of why you are attractive.""Seek to find common areas of interest or agreement. This makes you more attractive. And the more similar you are, the more attractive you will be. When you have a similar outlook and views, it fuels attraction.""Positivity heavily correlates to predicting a salesperson's success even if they lack the prerequisite selling aptitude.""If they're not there to hear what you say, don't say anything or say something positive.""When you're true to others, you have a light about you. When you enter into gossip or tearing down another person, you lose that light. You feel different as a result, and different means not good. And I learned that if you can't be kind, be...

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E36 - Live Above The Line

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 32:04


This week, McKay shares some more sage advice for all listeners: no matter what life throws at you, when you choose to 'live above the line', nothing can keep you from becoming who you were meant to be. On so many occasions we are faced with tough times where we have to refuse to be mediocre and take charge – we need to cross above the line with faith and strength – and today McKay provides examples and guidance that demonstrate how to achieve just that.He starts this important discussion with the story of Debbie who rescued her friend despite the danger they were faced with. He then goes on to answer the defining question of what you need to live above the line, highlighting that, when you believe in yourself and believe in what you speak, it becomes easy to understand exactly what you want and can achieve. You become empowered to move from below that line which is filled with excuse making, fear and negative emotions and become who you were meant to be. As you listen in today, your eyes will be opened to the power of seeking to be great and how life will reward you accordingly in response.The Finer Details of This Episode:Debbie's story Wendy Wallace's courageous decision to live above the line What it means to live above the line What do you need to live above the line? The story of Jake Olson Speaking boldly about what you know There is more above the line How Althea Gibson lived above the line The Hedgehog conceptQuotes:“We face many lions in life - times when we must stand up and fight, times in which we have to be tough, times in which you stand, draw a line in the sand, and say, ‘I will live on this side of the line.' ”“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”“Strength of any kind, faith of any kind, courage of any kind matters. I call this living above the line.”“Below the line is excuse making, fear, lack of clarity, doubt, an attitude of helplessness. Below the line is where life presses upon you and this depression can be a heavy burden.”“Above the line, we're strong, we believe, we have faith that our goals, our hopes, our dreams can and will happen.”“When people or teams find themselves thinking and living below the line, you hear lots of blaming, you see a lot of procrastination, and experience lots of mental and emotional fatigue as people go about living their life.”“There is a line drawn in the way we choose to live our life. ”“When you live above the line, I don't know why, but you feel good about yourself.”“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”“You will become who you really want to become.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E35 - Focus on the Big Rocks First

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 32:29


This week, as we journey together through this exciting time of year, filled with the positivity that goals and aspirations can provide, McKay proclaims his optimism for 2022. He also delves into the concept of the big rocks in your life – how to find them and what to do once they are found. It's so important to put these big rocks first in our lives, and today, our host tells us all exactly how to do that. McKay starts the episode by sharing an interesting story about asteroids, and then linking the concept of big rocks to our lives. He discusses the Big Rocks concept as popularized by Stephen Covey and the impact of finding the big rocks in our lives. He explains how we can find those big rocks by following the 80-20 rule and focusing on the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary. When you find those big rocks, McKay tells you to deal with them right away, overcome distraction, stop overanalyzing and overthinking, and then watch as your life becomes filled with success and clarity. The Finer Details of This Episode: - An insight into asteroids- Are you focusing on the tiny rocks of life?- The big rocks concept- The difficult task of finding the big rocks- How Steve Young's life was impacted after he found his big rocks- The 80-20 rule- Do that one thing right away- Overcoming distraction- Why overthinking and overanalyzing can rob you of your focus Quotes: “We often approach our life, our business, and our goals without focusing on the big rocks, without focusing on the most important and leveraged activities.” “If you look at people who reach their goals or build a prospering business, you find most of those people have become skilled at concentrating on the big rocks.” “We only have so much emotional and mental capacity, we only have so much time in our day, and we can only fit so many things in our life.” “If you've set a bunch of New Year's goals and not decided on your one thing, you'll likely struggle.” “Most of our progress comes from only a few key things. Success does not necessarily come from doing more things.” “Things which matter most must not be at the mercy of things which matter least.” “What one thing can you do that, by doing it excellently, everything else will be easier or unnecessary.” “Life is not about finding yourself or unearthing some hidden talent, as much as it is creating yourself. And the way you create yourself is finding the big rocks in your life.” “Things we just automatically do without thinking or effort free up our minds and confidence and other things needed for the day.” “Distraction robs you of your maximum performance, your inspiration and being at your very best.” “If you've identified the one thing you need to do to reach your goals, don't wait. Be fully energized by your focus.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E34 - Your Strategy for Life (Part II)

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 32:54


As we find ourselves facing a new year in 2025, we are once again given the gift of a new day where we can leave the past behind and reimagine ourselves and our lives for the better. We are so blessed with all the possibilities that this new year holds for us, and sometimes it can help at these times to zoom out and gain a broader or different view of our place in the world. Today, McKay shares some proven strategies for life and enlightens us on how to create some that can propel us into becoming the best version of ourselves in the new year and beyond. He begins the conversation by discussing the importance of having a clear destination in life and why you should create strategies that work by setting yourself apart and starting something new using the Blue Ocean Strategy. Our host then goes on to discuss why you need to form strategic alliances that can help build you and also to do everything with purpose and have a clear understanding of yourself and your talents. Listen in to McKay's wise words today, learn to forge a strategy for your life, and watch yourself grow into the success you're destined to be. The Finer Details of This Episode: - Walking in circles- The importance of having a clear destination- Change your perspective - lessons from Southwest Airlines and Netflix- Innovative strategies you can employ- Where do innovative strategies come from?- The Blue Ocean Strategy- The power of strategic alliances- Doing things on purpose- Why do you need a clear self-understanding? Quotes: “Often in life, it feels like we're in the desert or dense forest of life's overgrowth - job, kids, bills, needs, and a host of other objects sometimes block our view of where we need to go.” “Will you do the things the way they've always been done? Or will you use an innovative strategy for success?” “Innovative strategies are game-changing strategies.” “What blue ocean is waiting for you in your life?” “Successful strategies often involve strategic alliances.” “Don't let your lack of skills or tools or courage keep you from your aspirations.” “Activity or goals without purpose is simply a drain on your energy in life.” “In your strategy for life, think about how you might connect and learn from the people closest to you.” “We must win the private victory before we can win the public victory.” “Each year, we go about setting resolutions to change behavior, without really getting to know ourselves, and as a result, we end up changing very little.” Show Links: Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E33 - Your Strategy for Life (Part I)

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 30:59


What do successful presidential candidates, businesspeople, and military generals all have in common? The answer is that none of them go into a campaign without a strategy, without understanding their ultimate goals and the internal and external factors that influence their chances of success. In this week's episode, McKay discusses how having a fully developed and articulated strategy is key in finding success in all areas of your life, and offers sage advice on how to design your own strategy. First up is a discussion of political strategy and how Biden and Trump utilized it in their 2020 presidential campaigns. McKay points out that while Biden's strategy worked better, the point is that, just as no presidential candidate would ever enter a campaign without a strategy, we can't win at life without one either. Instead, using a series of examples including IKEA, the Disney Corporation, and Frank Sinatra, he demonstrates how having a fully developed, properly articulated strategy is key to achieving success. He also introduces SWOT analysis as a tool for examining your personal strengths and weaknesses to reveal your strategic focus. Finally, McKay encourages everybody to approach 2022 in a strategic manner, which will bring new energy and new success as we head into a new year.The Finer Details of This Episode: - The core of every political campaign.- Winning at life.- Comparing goals and tactics with strategies.- The stories of IKEA, Frank Sinatra, Walt Disney, and Tata Motors.- The steps in creating a life strategy.- The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Quotes: “Our perspective directs our actions, and my hope is that after listening to this podcast, you have a new perspective of yourself, the possibilities in your life, and how you can find your way forward.” “I've spoken to groups about having a strategy for life dozens of times, and each time I asked the question, ‘Do you have a written strategy for life?' I usually get about 10% of the audience who raises their hand.” “A strategy is a dynamic collection of interwoven tactics that enable you to reach and sustain advantage in life.” “You too can create huge advantages in your life if you're living based on a strategy, versus just letting life come to you however it comes to you.” “In business, people buy you long before they buy your product. So what strategy have you put in place to make you more attractive? A strategy to improve you would make all the difference.” “When you look at the external conditions in your life, you may have to make some modifications to your strategy. Perhaps your chosen career isn't working, your daily schedule doesn't allow you to do what matters, or you don't like the group of friends you've inherited, and so forth. It will require some changes. And that's the value of an external analysis.” “One of the interesting things about COVID-19 has been watching how the changing external conditions in our life have caused so many people to adopt new strategies for life. People have reevaluated where they live, they've changed careers or started their own business. In short, external factors matter.” “Once you've considered a few of these factors and completed your analysis, next, you need to start trying on a few strategies. Just like clothes shopping at the department store, you try something on and see how it looks and feels and evaluate it before buying into it.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E32 - The Gift of Choice

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 31:59


​​It's almost the holiday season, a season of joy and giving. And during this giving season it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of things and get weary in the difficulties that life seems to send our way. We may want to be a giver but raising kids, building a business, providing a living and all other demands on our life, can rob us of the ability to give. And while it may seem counterintuitive, the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. If you are emotionally unhealthy, you can't give your time and inspiration to others. If you are mentally unhealthy, it's almost impossible to have the strength to persevere, lead and give. If you're spiritually unhealthy, you can't inspire, uplift or be the example you want to be.In this episode, McKay tells the story of Philip Stern, a photographer and book editor. Stern gifted the US servicemen and women in World War II by editing, compiling, and resizing hundreds of popular books to fit into the pockets of military uniforms. During this inspired time of Stern's life, he would write the famous story of The Greatest Gift. It would eventually become the award-winning film It's A Wonderful Life. Taking Philip Stern's example, McKay elaborates on how we impact the world in unique ways with our choices, and asserts that one gift, our lives, and the choices we make, can bless others for years to come. He shows how selfishness and the pursuit of bringing more to ourselves halt this impact, and draws lessons from the 1987 Jessica Morales rescue story. McKay then asserts that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you, and shares a life experience when his renewed Mustang got stolen from his garage and relates it to the choice to be healthy. Listen in today as McKay shares lessons learned from both fiction and real life that open our eyes to the ways in which doing good and making healthy choices can lead to a healthier and happier life.The Finer Details of This Episode:Philip Stern's gift to US World War II servicemen and womenA lesson to be grateful for lifeThe award-winning film It's a Wonderful LifeHow one gift and your life can bless others for years to comeThe effect of selfishness and the pursuit of bringing more to ourselvesThe Morales Family storyThe greatest gift you could give yourself – a healthy youThe reintroduction of the Mustang of the 1960sHow you begin to make choices that lead to a healthier youThe 2003 movie Freaky Friday, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay LohanHow our frame of reference determines our healthGym owner and workout Coach Marc Zalmanoff Lessons from the movie GladiatorLessons from the story of Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. SeussQuotes:"Our life is a gift. It is both the greatest gift we've been given and the greatest gift we have to give.""Raising kids and building a business and providing a living and all the other demands on our life can rob you of any ability or desire to give.""The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.""When we're always looking for the right person or the next job or more money or whatever we think is going to bring us happiness, we lose sight of what is right in front of us.""Good choices are not perfect choices.""We often just say ‘no' to good things because we don't have the time or resources to do everything.""Choose what makes you healthier, not what's easier.""If you're striving for a happier, healthier life, you may have to walk away from the habits and behaviors causing discontent.""We get to choose our frame of reference.""What we do in life echoes in eternity.""If choices...

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E31 - Bridging the Gap

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 33:06


We all have gaps. Gaps in our awareness of others' feelings, in how we communicate or don't communicate, or in the many ways we don't measure up particularly in dealing with people. Our emotional intelligence allows us to navigate through life and difficult times and, as such, the topic of emotional intelligence is one of great importance. McKay enlightens us on the subject today and how we can bridge the gaps many of us tend to have in our emotional lives. McKay starts with the story of the Golden Gate Bridge which was built despite the many apparent impossibilities and how this bridge has become a great landmark in the city of San Francisco. He likens us to this bridge - when we decide to improve our emotional intelligence, we bridge gaps that we have in our lives. Our host also discusses the impact of negative emotions and avoiding the ‘me-monster' that neglects the views of others, and identifies some ways to strengthen our emotional quotient - bridge gaps by seeing the views of others, and show genuine interest in things that interest them. McKay finishes up by sharing his message for us all to harness the power of time, use the NIB rule - Notice, Importance, and Belonging, and watch how strength comes into our lives as a result. The Finer Details of This Episode: - Creating landmark moments in your life; lessons from the Golden Gate bridge- Recognize that you have a gap- Why does your emotional quotient matter?- The impact of negative emotions- How do you avoid difficult emotions?- Ways to strengthen your EQ and bridge your gaps- Walk in the shoes of others- Harness the power of time- The NIB rule Quotes: “There's something about us or what we're doing that needs to be overcome, and this isn't easy.” “It's our shortfalls that are at the heart of our gaps in life. And here's the thing, bridging the gaps in our life is possible.” “It is critical to remember that we all have gaps, we all fall short, and sometimes we need to step up and do what we think isn't possible.” “When we overcome and become more of who we can and should be, we find landmark moments in our life.” “A ‘me-monster' is someone so self-absorbed that no one else matters. Someone who thinks and makes decisions out of their mood or need or perspective.” “It's easy in life to get so focused on ourselves, that we don't see the major things going on around us, and this makes us blind to the gaps that exist in our life and with people.” “EQ is the ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions. It is the ability to understand things from the view of other people, empathize with others, and overcome challenges in dealing with people and defuse conflict.” “Success in school is 75% IQ, and 25% EQ. In life, it's exactly the opposite.” “Every time we strengthen our emotional intelligence, we bridge a little more of the gap.” “When you can step into another person's view with ease, and empathize with their way of thinking, and do that with a variety of people, you don't get stressed or upset or thrown off course in life because you understand others.” “As we learn to catch our emotional reactions before we act them out, we become more...

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E30 - The Propensity to Hope

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 30:11


The force of hope is a potent one that has the power to brighten our lives and bring happiness. No matter how isolated or stuck in your business or life you may feel, it is so very important to hold on to hope and allow it to influence the decisions you make. It is a key ingredient in helping you to live the life you want to live, and in this week's episode, McKay explores the propensity to hope, demonstrating just how powerful it can be even in the bleakest of situations. Trapped in a sinking cave for two weeks, 12 young boys and their coach held onto the hope that they would survive without food and sufficient air. This moving story acts as our opener in this episode as McKay correlates it to situations we face in life. The propensity to hope is having a behavior or pattern that results in a habit of holding on to hope. Today, Mckay discusses what hope encompasses and how it can be defined, and also delves into how to find hope when all seems lost. The episode comes to a close with McKay encouraging us to always choose hope because when we let hope make our decisions, we discover a better and happier way of living. The Finer Details of This Episode: - Having hope in a bleak situation- the story of the Wild Boars of Thailand- Understanding what propensity means- Hope in Pandora's box- What does hope encompass?- How to stop thinking about the ‘nevers'- How do you find hope when you are down and discouraged?- A story of hope told in a painting- The choice of hope- The benefits of holding on to hope- Ways to acquire the trait of being hopeful- Hope as a force multiplier Quotes: “We all get buried, stuck from time to time, whether by our own poor judgment or by factors completely beyond our control.” “We had each other and we had hope.” “We all face storms and darkness and are lost in isolation from time to time. Sometimes we lose, fail, regress and it's in those times that we're unsure whether we can, in fact, do what we're being asked to do.” “Hope is a passion for what is possible. When things around you say give up, hope always remains.” “The definition of propensity is an established pattern, behavior, or an attraction to a thing.” “Are you a person of hope? What's your propensity?” “When we have hope, we have more than we think.” “Don't give in to your depravations, live up to your expectations.” “You weren't placed here to peek into your future, but to open the door wide and walk through with confidence.” “Hope is the belief that circumstances will get better. It's not a wish for things to get better, it's the actual belief, the knowledge that it will happen.” “Remember, you can't make someone else's choices, and you shouldn't let them make yours.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E29 - The Least You Can Do

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 31:10


Too often, we seek to get by doing the least we can do. And, after a while, the least we can do becomes a way of life for many of us. The problem is that we then work and live well below our ability and level of performance possible. And this habit or way of living begins to take over our life. Imagine an Olympic athlete whose attitude is to do the least they can do in their training as they prepare for the Olympics. It would be foolish to assume you could excel with that mindset. World class athletes instead do the most they can do to reach their goals.For example, many people dream of becoming wealthy without having to put forth any effort. Today's episode begins with a discussion of why playing the lottery seems tempting but is an unwise investment. McKay points out that the real lottery winners are the IRS and state governments, which take in almost half of the winnings, while those who buy the tickets lose week after week and would be better off putting that money into savings instead. He argues that we've developed a habit of wanting to do the least possible to earn money but that this attitude will catch up to us eventually, like a bank robber who makes one mistake and loses the money and their freedom. Instead, McKay encourages a change in attitude, leaving behind “the least possible” and instead developing a culture of excellence in ourselves, our families, and our work environments. Using examples of big-name companies, including Procter & Gamble and Disney, he demonstrates how the pursuit of excellence can have huge benefits, both in business and in our personal lives.The Finer Details of This Episode:- Why do so many people play the lottery despite the odds being stacked against them?- Federal and state governments are the big lottery winners- The story of Alan Pace, who tried to get rich by doing the least possible (by robbing a bank) but wound up in jail after one simple mistake- How to encourage your children to strive for excellence (featuring the story of creating spelling bee champs by encouraging teamwork)- Scarcity mentality vs. abundance mentality in the workspace- The pursuit of excellence as a business strategy- Disney's development of The Lion King as an example of the pursuit of excellence in action Quotes: “Let's say I put $100 million inside a house somewhere in North America, somewhere in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, etc. And then I gave you a key, and you had to pick the right house, you had one chance to pick the right house. Those are better odds than your winning the Mega Millions lottery.” “I also think people enjoy the fantasy of it, they dream of what it would be like to have all of that money, right? And that's a little exciting and brings excitement to their day. But most of all, I think they get in the habit of chasing the least they can do to be wealthy.” “If I were to ask you if you'd rather win the lottery or not, of course, you'd rather win the lottery, right? But here's a proven fact. When you have to work to build wealth, you build yourself, you build your life, you build your capabilities.” “The least we can do becomes a way of life for many of us.” “When you begin, even in small ways to invite excellence into your life, you will feel a spirit of self-worth and peace enter into your life. And that spirit will invite you to rise, to do things with the best part of you, instead of the least part of you.” “Excellence is not an act but a habit.”“When you stop doing the least you can do and do your best, it brings you back to who you can and should be. It restores you, your hope and your future. Excellence...

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E28 - A Noble Responsibility

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 33:05


How do you find your true worth? Our self worth is determined not by how much we get, but how much we give. When you see your noble responsibility to use your gifts for good, you find your worth. In this week's episode, McKay delves into the subject of noblesse oblige, explaining the noble responsibility we have of helping others by giving, and getting inspired to live happy lives along the way. He starts off with the story of Chhiring Dorje who, in spite of being in danger himself, carried out the most daring rescue on the deadly K2 mountain. McKay also talks about finding inspiration by giving, explains the law of giving, and encourages us to practice the Five-Minute Favor to incorporate a lifestyle of giving into our lives. He finishes off by advising us to accept the noble responsibility of sharing our strengths and gifts with others - not to get something in return, but to live fulfilled and enriched lives. The Finer Details of This Episode: - The most daring rescue in climbing history- Chhiring Dorje Sherpa's story- Finding inspiration by giving- Stories of those who gave- The law of giving- Conditioning yourself to a lifestyle of giving- The Five Minute Favor- The gift of La Liberté éclairant- Getting from giving- How to become a genuine giver- The noblesse oblige concept Quotes: “When we turn from getting to giving, we find strength and inspiration we didn't know we had before.” “But when we forget ourselves and focus on helping others in their climb or goals or efforts, we get inspired. We also find our true capability.” “Perhaps there should be a different kind of Forbes list— a list of people who give.” “In giving, you find your worth.” “The law of giving is a law or principle with a promise that if you become a person who focuses primarily on giving, you will find a greater return than might otherwise be possible.” “Every time you find five minutes, think about how and to whom you can give. It's amazing how rich your life will become if you take all the extra five minutes in your day to give.” “Self-worth is perfectly correlated with two important outcomes —happiness and freedom from stress.” “Giving creates reciprocity. Giving creates influence.” “Your Maker and life and circumstances have given to you certain endowments, and the purpose of these gifts is to be an ongoing blessing to those around you.” “We have all been given gifts, and some are different than others, but we all have them. And they don't need to be something magnificent - just often a simple talent.” “Your talents are embedded in the nucleus of who you are. You are more gifted than you know, and these gifts were given to you because you have the unique characteristics and talent to, in turn, give these gifts to the world.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E27 - Do What Is Great While It Is Small

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 32:51


What goal are you pursuing in your life? Perhaps it's to be healthier, or to save a relationship, or maybe it's to break long standing bad habits. It might be to succeed in business, academics, or your spiritual life. Whatever it is, in this week's episode, McKay gives insight into the most effective way to achieve your goal, and that's by doing small, consistent actions over time.He kicks off by narrating the story of a 544 BC Chinese Grandmaster credited with being the author of the famous book The Art of War, which has been used by modern day leaders up to this day. McKay then cites his favorite quote from the book, “Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, and do what is great, while it is small”, and goes on to reveal how a small and quick apology early on can prevent a potentially large disagreement later. He also shares examples of how doing something small may not seem urgent today, but could lead to something great in the future or even prevent a disaster, and emphasizes the need for consistency in doing the small things for they have a cumulative effect and become more powerful. In essence, today, McKay reveals why the “go big or go home” mentality may not be the most effective, and in doing so, reminds us that what is simple to do is also simple not to do, so we need to be apt to take small, consistent actions to reach our goals.The Finer Details of This Episode:· Stories and examples of the effects of doing or not something great when it's still small.· The law of attraction.· How doing something small led to Stanford University.· The fallacy of the “go big or go home” mentality.· The principle of action-oriented momentum.· How small things lead to great outcomes.· Being apt to act.Quotes“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, and do what is great while it is small.”“Small things done consistently alter the trajectory of your life.”“It's easy to do something today rather than trying to make up lost ground tomorrow.”“Small is easy, small is fast, small doesn't take much time, and small is doable.”“Small choices are at the root of almost every result in life.”“A small thing that will lead to something great comes about just by doing the next right thing.”“While small may not be sexy, small moves are successful and sustainable.”“Small has a sister and her name is simple.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S4E24 - What Matters Most

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 30:13


There are two primary sources of unhappiness: living focused on the wrong things, and living in a way not in harmony with what matters most to you. Today, McKay opens our eyes to see why we need to discover what matters most to us and how to live in harmony with our values to live a happy and purposeful life. In this episode, McKay tells the story of the integrity possessed by Tony Finau, a man who valued honesty and decided to live with his values. He goes on to discuss the reasons why many are unhappy, the importance of deciding what matters most to you, and ways to identify your governing values. As McKay makes clear here today, when you become a light, and not a judge, and write down your governing values, you become set on your way to a happier and better life. The Finer Details of This Episode: - Tony Finau's integrity- The sources of unhappiness in life- Why you have to decide what matters most- How to live in harmony with what matters most- Beethoven's Fifth Symphony- the pursuit of what matters- How do you determine what matters most to you?- Ways to identify your governing values- Be a light, not a judge- Living in harmony with your chosen values- The power of planning your day Quotes: “To be happy and to pursue a purposeful life we have to decide what matters most and then seek to live in harmony with what matters.” “A deal is a deal. A handshake is a handshake. Integrity is integrity.” “It seems like selfishness, operating without common respect, and other such things, are the trades growing in our society.” “Be yourself, but be that perfectly.” “Our daily actions are in line with what matters most to us.” “Our purpose in life is to become the best we can be, to become a person of noble actions and virtues.” “We only have one life on this earth. I mean, I haven't heard of anyone going around for a second try, and if we aren't doing what matters most, then what in fact are we doing?” “You must take responsibility for your belief window and remove the erroneous beliefs on that window.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E22 - Start Your Impossible

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 29:51


Today, McKay brings to us an important topic - starting your impossible. Recognizing that we all have to face what appears to be the absolutely unachievable from time to time, McKay shares with listeners, using real world examples, how to start and keep doing the impossible. He begins the episode describing the accomplishments of the Wright brothers, who, through the challenges associated with air travel, were able to do the impossible. McKay also speaks about finding inspiration as the path to success just like the Wright brothers did, the impact of walking with giants, and why social learning is effective for doing the impossible. He rounds off the episode with a story about some wives who showed immense courage and encourages us to forge our own courage by building our optimism so we can start our own impossible. The Finer Details of This Episode: - The impossible challenges that came with air flight in the past- How the Wright brothers dared the impossible- Otto Lilienthal's impact on the Wright brothers' success- Why you need an inspiration to start the impossible- Why do Alcoholics Anonymous have high success rates?- John Woolman's mission- Walking with giants- The reason why social learning works- The power of faith in doing the impossible- The castle of the loyal wives- Gathering courage for the impossible- Keeping your optimism for courage Quotes: “We all have the impossible from time to time - a change needs to happen, but it seems impossible.” “You need a connection with other people where you can find inspiration.” “The people with which you surround yourself have a huge impact on how you see yourself, your challenges, and your ability to face those challenges.” “When you learn from others, and you learn from ongoing interaction with others, you store those memories with emotion, and, as a result, they're more powerfully recalled and used.” “I believe that the moment you let faith into your life, you will see more power and peace enter into your life. You worry less, you trust more.” “There is power in faith. Faith is an enabling power. ” “Open your eyes to the fact that you can do what you set out to do.” “Courage is the mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger or hardship. It implies firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty.” “The truth is that whenever you're facing the impossible at its deepest, most fundamental level, it requires courage.” “We must fix our minds on the fact that we can do the impossible, and we have to decide in advance that it is worth it.” “Find your courage.” Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E20 - Reframe Your View

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 31:17


Do you ever wonder why some people know exactly where they're headed and are willing to take calculated risks? Why, no matter what they face, they are determined and have clear-headed goals? They have the power of positive reframing.In this episode, McKay gives insights to what positive reframing is about, beginning with the story of the scientist, Galileo, and how he was able to reframe his mindset despite criticism. McKay also shares his personal story of reframing, goes on to discuss the benefits of reframing your mindset, and finishes by sharing some reframing tools that you can use to help get you started.The Finer Details of This Episode:A lesson from the man who proved that the Earth orbits, Galileo Galilei. How your belief window affects your life. The thinking of the best golfers—Jack Nicklaus' principle. The positive expectancy of Jeff Bezos— The Amazon story. How McKay changed his mindset with the help of his teacher. Why you should step up and take calculated risks. Building your belief window through cognitive framing. 4 basic steps to reframing your mindset. A reframing technique health practitioners use. 4 reframing tools you can apply immediately.Quotes:“People who are not moved seem to have a fixed view and the ability to only see their end goal.”“This prevailing view interprets all that goes on in your life.”“Too many of us fail to take calculated risks in life.”“What lens are you looking through? What is your frame of reference? What telescope, so to speak, is forming or framing your belief?”“You've got it inside you. Step up and be yourself.”“The stuff of life is made from a new purpose.”“Everything in your life has improved by passion and challenge.”“Doubt is a mental habit, and it can, and does, spread to other areas of your life.”“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S04E17 - What's Next?

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 28:56


What do you do when something does not go as planned? What's the way forward? McKay provides the simple answer to this - pivot to what's next. So many people get frustrated when things go wrong and forget that, as McKay demonstrates today, asking and doing what's next is the path of happiness.He starts the episode with the story of Karen McWatters who lost her leg and a close friend in the Boston Marathon bombings. Despite the adversities Karen encountered, she asked herself ‘What next?', and went on to find opportunities even in the face of despair. McKay then talks about the power of asking ‘What's next?', how it can propel us to move forward, and the importance of developing the habit of ‘What's next?', as well as ways to develop this habit. The episode rounds off with McKay drawing lessons from the life of Rachel Ray who went on to start a new path by focusing on what's next. There is great power to be found in posing and answering this simple question - listen in today to hear how it can change your life.The Finer Details of This Episode:- The devastating event that made Karen McWatters go on her quest of ‘What's next?'- Finding what's next in horrible circumstances- The power of ‘Yes, and?' - lessons from improv- Why you need to master the habit of ‘What's next?'- What is prospective psychology?- How to think prospectively and why you should- Harvard University's study results on happiness in life- Why the habit of ‘What's next?' is important for a happy life - the story of Bill Graham- Ways to develop the habit of ‘What's next?'- Removing the ticks in your life- Starting another path - lessons from Rachel Ray's lifeQuotes:“Her attitude of ‘What's next?' changed everything.” “'Yes' is awareness and acceptance and appreciation. It means ‘I'm listening'…and is saying ‘What's next?'. It is fueling you with agency and autonomy and action, and is taking a clear step forward to add to whatever you've received.”“There's tremendous power in developing the habit of ‘What's next?'”“Prospective psychology is the practice of creating an image in your mind of your possible future.”“The habit of ‘What's next?' helps us to be happy.”“Over time, researchers observed it's not the bad things that happen to us that determine our happiness, but what we choose to do with those things that matter.”“Don't let yourself get dragged down into other people's complaints.”“Even though you might not like the situation you're in, you can choose to accept it, and once you learn to accept what it is and then focus on what you can control in the future, you win. Remember, the only thing that matters is your response.”“You can't change others, you can't change the past, you can only change your response.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

BFM :: Morning Brief
Third Plenum, Still Waiting for the Finer Details

BFM :: Morning Brief

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 9:02


China's Third Plenum, a once-in-five-years conclave of top officials that usually deals with major economic and political policy changes concluded yesterday. We gleam through the statement for clues as to the future economic direction of the country which faces its own set of structural issues with Koh King Kee, President of the Centre for New Inclusive Asia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The Fan Morning Show
What're the finer details from Scheffler's arrest?

The Fan Morning Show

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 14:21


With the arrest video being available to the public this week, Jeff Hathhorn and Dan Zangrilli bring on Will Graves from the associated press who covered much of the story as it unfolded and shares much of what he saw and discovered.

Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast
EP 9:02 How the #1 Car Salesman in the World Maximizes Volume and Gross by Leveraging Auto Brokers for Consistent Success

Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 55:06


In this innovative Millionaire Car Salesman episode, host Sean V. Bradley, CSP delves into the world of auto brokers with special guest Cody Carter, literally the #1 Car Salesman in the WOLRD! Drawing from his extensive experience, Cody reveals the secrets behind his remarkable success, having sold over 1,400 cars in a single year! Join us as Cody shares his insider strategies for harnessing the power of auto brokers to amplify sales volume and gross profit! Learn about the pivotal role of auto brokers, their motivations, and how they generate revenue. Gain practical insights on building strong alliances with brokers, establishing partnerships with broker-friendly banks, and safeguarding against potential fraudulent practices. With Cody's expertise at your disposal, this episode is a game-changer for automotive professionals looking to maximize their sales potential. Tune in now and embark on the path to unparalleled success in the automotive industry!   Key Takeaways Learn to increase car sales volume and gross through the strategic use of auto brokers, going beyond the standard dealership model. Discover the importance of setting expectations and terms with brokers to ensure professionalism and avoid potential fraud. Understand the diverse ways to sell cars, with a focus on referrals and prospecting that many salespeople overlook. Uncover the financial impact of broker deals, revealing how they can equate to substantial monthly earnings. Gain insights into CRM strategies and customizing relationships with brokers to efficiently manage and grow sales.   About Cody Carter Cody Carter has been in automotive sales for the last 10+ years and has earned himself the title of #1 Salesman in the Nation. He currently is the Internet Sales Manager at Tustin Toyota with his own Toyota webpage, Cody's Tustin Toyota, and platform, SellLikeCody. Cody took initiative and drove his own personal traffic to his website retracauto.com, his last name spelled backwards, and now is: Cody's Tustin Toyota. Cody has built his brand, Retrac Auto, and surpassed the rest of the country in car sales! Go to SellLikeCody.com to get access to his exclusive sales training course!   Resources Dealer Synergy & Bradley On Demand: The automotive industry's #1 training, tracking, testing, and certification platform and consulting & accountability firm. The Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast: is the #1 resource for automotive sales professionals, managers, and owners.  Also, join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! Win the Game of Googleopoly: Unlocking the secret strategy of search engines.   The Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast is Proudly Sponsored By:  Dealer Synergy: The #1 Automotive Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm in the Automotive Industry! We have been building Internet Departments and BDCs for over two decades! It is this experience that has allowed us to develop the absolute best automotive Internet Sales, BDC, and CRM solutions for car dealerships. We have created the most effective training programs and processes. Phone scripts and rebuttals are our specialties, while CRM action plans, strategies, and templates are our expertise! Dealer Synergy will take both your tools and your people to the next level. Bradley On Demand: Automotive Sales Industry's #1 Interactive Training, Tracking, Testing and Certification Platform. With over 7,500 training modules, our platform has everything you and your dealership need to sell more cars, more often and more profitably! Money Mind Mapp (M3): Visit MoneyMindMapp.com for help in revolutionizing your business to help you sell more cars by tracking, projecting, and forecasting your personal sales goals!     Harnessing Auto Brokers for Car Sales Success: A Guide for Dealerships and Sales Professionals The auto industry is constantly evolving, with innovative strategies emerging to enhance sales performance and customer experience. One such strategy that's gaining traction among car dealerships and sales professionals is leveraging the prowess of auto brokers. In a recent in-depth discussion, industry experts Sean V. Bradley and Cody Carter unpacked the utilization of auto brokers in car sales, providing insights that could revolutionize the way dealerships think about selling vehicles. Key Takeaways Auto brokers can dramatically increase car sales by an average of 30 units a month, with highs of 70 units during peak times. Establishing a professional relationship with auto brokers involves setting clear terms, managing expectations, and ensuring a streamlined communication process. Utilizing diverse banks and credit unions that work with brokers can offer a competitive edge in the market and help to increase the volume of deals closed.     The Role of Auto Brokers in Modern Car Sales When it comes to enhancing sales figures and expanding market reach, utilizing auto brokers seems to be a disruptive strategy akin to the innovation brought by Amazon and Netflix to their respective industries. As Cody Carter states, "[Auto brokers] were created out of necessity at one point. And to this day, they still work great in certain markets." By catering to customers tired of traditional dealership experiences, auto brokers offer a streamlined, convenient alternative. SEO-Optimized Heading: Embracing the Auto Broker Strategy to Revolutionize Car Sales The discussion highlighted that the average salesperson at a dealership sells ten cars a month. However, with the infusion of auto brokers into one's sales strategy, this number can triple or even septuple. The emphasis here is not just on quantity but on quality; these third-party affiliates help move inventory, particularly less popular models or overflow stock, which could otherwise stagnate on a sales lot. "They allow you to sell cars that are outside your area," Carter pointed out. His collaboration with a diverse range of brokers extends his reach far beyond his dealership's immediate geographical locale. Direct Quote: "Every broker receives some type of fee, which is discussed… on average, we're averaging $2,500 per copy… averaging $75,000 per month in gross." This illustrates not only the profitability of broker-assisted sales but also underscores the importance of transparency and mutual respect in these partnerships. Dealerships can adopt this strategy to manage their inventory proactively, cater to a wider audience, and ensure a steady cadence of sales.   Building and Managing Broker Relationships SEO-Optimized Heading: Cultivating Long-Term Partnerships with Auto Brokers Cultivating a lasting and fruitful relationship with auto brokers requires a strategic approach—starting with initial outreach and continuing through regular communication and professional rapport. The tenor of the interaction should be firm yet respectful, with clear guidelines set from the outset. Carter expertly demonstrates this balance with his brokers, setting the tone for how business will be conducted and even going so far as to use a dedicated email service, like Mailchimp, to send detailed and extensive weekly newsletters to his brokers, thus minimizing unnecessary back-and-forth. Direct quote: "The whole concept…is having ten different stocks for $1,000 each…diversify." By treating the auto brokers as individual entities that contribute to a larger sales strategy, brokers become akin to an invested salesforce, instrumental in pushing dealership's inventory to their niche markets. Gifts, personal interactions, and consistent engagement all play a part in maintaining strong business relations. Moreover, navigating the space with tech-savvy efficiency, utilising CRM software, and tailoring communication through texts mirror a modern approach to sales management.   The Finer Details of Working with Auto Brokers SEO-Optimized Heading: Navigating the Complexities of Broker-Enhanced Car Sales A crucial aspect of working with auto brokers involves understanding the nuances of banking partnerships and avoiding potential fraud. Banks have varying rules regarding transactions with auto brokers, and dealerships must be scrupulous in adhering to these guidelines to maintain integrity and avoid legal issues. Carter underscores the necessity of choosing banks that are broker-friendly and emphasizes the importance of keeping transactions above board, with a priority on transparency: "It's important to disclose it…you should not be working with this customer at all." Direct quote: "We don't allow any deal to leave until the car is approved… These brokers are being added to a blacklist where…they're just completely out." Thereby, dealerships should prudently vet their financial institutions and foster open communication with their brokerage partners. Additionally, they must institute rigid frameworks to ensure that every sale does not just benefit the immediate bottom line but also upholds the dealership's reputation and credibility.     Keeping the momentum generated by the conversation, these deep dives clearly illustrate the potential upsides of incorporating auto brokers into a dealership's sales artillery. Conventional sales avenues remain integral, but the scope that brokers provide can be game-changing, diversifying the opportunities available to savvy dealerships and sales professionals. The strategy goes beyond mere transaction facilitation and delves into the broader symbiosis of building mutually beneficial partnerships that can unfold across regions, stretching a dealership's influence far beyond its immediate area. The larger implication is perhaps the most exciting: As entire industries pivot towards innovation, it's those like Cody Carter who disrupt the status quo that stay ahead of the curve. For any dealer or salesperson looking to elevate their sales numbers and market penetration, the message is clear—embrace the unique opportunities brokers present, and the rewards can be both immediate and profound.  

Together at the Top
25 - Cooking Up a Culture of Success with Amanda Cone

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 44:19


Amanda Cone, CEO of Mario's Early Toast, a thriving breakfast and lunch restaurant chain in Northern California, shares her inspiring journey from reluctant restaurateur to powerful industry leader. Balancing her roles as a devoted wife and mother, and the overseer of this exceptional business and its 150 employees, Amanda candidly discusses her battles with imposter syndrome, emphasizing the importance of delegation, time management, and building trust. Her experiences offer valuable insights into leadership, employee management, and sustaining a successful business in a competitive landscape. Highlighting the significance of cultivating a unique company culture, fostering unity among a transitory workforce, and hiring individuals based on character, Amanda's compassionate leadership style, coupled with the challenges it presents, is explored in depth. The episode also delves into the role of technology in the restaurant industry, as well as effective time management, the evolving challenges of HR management, and actively seeking constructive feedback. As you will hear, Amanda Cone's journey is a testament to resilience, teamwork, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence - tune in today for her valuable insights and hard earned leadership lessons that apply well beyond the restaurant industry.   The Finer Details of This Episode: Amanda's journey to, and with, Mario's Early Toast Fostering a unique culture Imposter Syndrome Unifying a transitory workforce Character-based hiring Compassion in leadership Embracing technology Time management and delegation Navigating HR challenges The reward of caring leadership Quotes: "I doubt myself on a daily basis. I struggle with self-confidence and realizing that I can do this and I'm cut out to do it." "One of my 2024 goals for this year is to start managing my time a little bit better and balancing the act of CEO, restaurant owner, mom, wife." "But the things you suck at, you're probably not going to be great at the exercise. So supercharge what you're amazing at." "Simplicity scales. Complexity does not." "Nobody does anything alone." "Building processes and making yourself redundant is the key." "As long as somebody is teachable and coachable, you can teach them how to be a server, how to carry a tray, and those customer service skills. Interpersonality is the kind of stuff that you can't teach." "As much as I want to get that location on its feet, I'm also feeling like there might be more growth coming sooner rather than later. And I'm excited about it because every time, I learn something new." “The six most expensive words that you can say as a business are "We have always done it that way."” Links: Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/ Together at the Top on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@togetheratthetopnickwarner Mario's Early Toast: https://mariosearlytoast.com/

Optimal Physique Development
Contest Prep Finer Details for Men ft. Jasmin Jeffery

Optimal Physique Development

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 46:43


In this episode, Jasmin Jeffery, the owner of UK/EU's largest one stop shop for all of your competing products and resources joins us to give you guys some insight on how to nail the finer details of your contest prep outside of just bringing your best physique.

Together at the Top
24 - From Prison Grounds to CEO with Scott Kernan

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 46:20


In this celebratory episode marking two years of exceptional podcasting, Nick introduces Scott Kernan, the CEO of LEO Technologies, whose remarkable journey from prison guard to warden to Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and now LEO's CEO serves as a truly inspiring testament to leadership evolution. His fascinating conversation with Nick here today navigates through themes of leadership development, trauma-informed leadership, resilience, and dealing with adversity.  As you will hear, Scott's background, deeply rooted in the California Department of Corrections, has significantly shaped his empathetic leadership style, and, despite facing setbacks and public scrutiny, his unwavering commitment to continuous learning shines through. The episode transcends the boundaries of public and private sectors, unraveling the intricate dynamics between the two, and offering valuable insights for leaders of all backgrounds and levels. Together, Nick and Scott explore the transformative power of experience, leadership evolution, and the shared mission of public and private sectors in problem-solving and innovation. Tune into today and discover the resilience, adaptability, and enduring impact of Scott Kernan's journey, and gain profound lessons regarding the development of leadership skills within unique environments and beyond.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Scott Kernan's transformative journey from prison guard to CEO Trauma-informed leadership Dealing with setbacks and criticism Transitioning from the public to the private sector  The intricate relationship between public and private sectors  Challenging traditional misconceptions The significance of relationships, problem-solving, and shared missions Adapting to new roles and continuous learning Balancing civil service protections Effective communication within management teams  Quotes: "I have a really challenging job with LEO Technologies... It's an interesting technology company that's providing a great public safety benefit to our customers." "What motivated me at 30 was an exciting time... You get to know maybe 5000 inmates and maybe 1500 staff, and you get to know them by names and get to know their lives." "It's important to remember that everybody is an individual.” "We're all fallible. We make mistakes, we work through them, and we continue to press on." -  "I think it's about relationships. I think it's about helping the government solve problems and address issues." "Continue to learn, and please continue to listen critically. Listen critically. That's where your opportunities are." "It's maximum accountability, but you're also describing maximum support. It's not just accountability; it's accountability, but with support." "I think it's patience in communication. I can also be very definitive in making my decision when necessary." Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube LEO Technologies

The Adrenaline Zone
Behind the Scenes with Santa

The Adrenaline Zone

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 23:50


In today's very special rereleased episode, Sandy and Sandra are joined by the one and only Santa Claus to discuss his annual toy delivery and the risks associated with it. Santa explains the logistics of North Pole operations and the challenges they have faced due to labor shortages and supply chain issues. While so many details of Santa's operation are understandably considered classified, he is able to shed some light on the incredible work he, Mrs.Claus, and the elves perform each year, while also stressing the importance of maintaining PPI to protect children's personal data. The Finer Details of this Episode: The scale of North Pole operations Challenges that Santa faces in his work The importance of maintaining personal professional privacy information How he ensures that toys are delivered on time The different risks associated with flying a sleigh around the world Some of the exciting experiences Santa has had while delivering toys The classified nature of much of Santa's operation Quotes: "We have to come up with about 2 billion toys a year, maybe a little bit fewer because of the little naughty ones, but that's not such a big number." "I mean, ever since the ‘great elf resignation', it's been tougher than blazes to get elves."  "If we were down there, we'd be up to our butts in elves, but we can't do that because the FAA won't let us fly over the 48 states. You know, they won't give us the permission. And then there's the whole labor thing.” “We are a risk manager's nightmare here. I'll tell you; we have a risk oversight committee, and we've got representatives from all the various health departments, and, you know, we've got air traffic control risks, we have risks of all those little reindeer hooves damaging roof tiles-- oh, the insurance company is all over us for that - we're working through that. We've got technology risks, you know, the sleigh is a very sophisticated piece of equipment.” Links: The Adrenaline Zone Homepage The Adrenaline Zone on Instagram The Adrenaline Zone on Twitter The Adrenaline Zone on TikTok

Together at the Top
23 - Wisdom from the Road to the Top with Jennifer Saha, Jason Moncada, and Brandon Collins

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 60:29


In the latest episode of Together at the Top, Nick orchestrates a captivating roundtable discussion with three up-and-coming industry leaders: Jennifer Saha, Jason Moncada, and Brandon Collins. This engaging conversation unveils the transformative journey from emerging professionals to seasoned experts, underscoring the pivotal role of personal branding, networking, and unwavering determination in achieving remarkable success. Each guest emphasizes the significance of cultivating a robust personal brand, built on principles of honesty, transparency, and integrity, which serve as the foundation for their respective triumphs. Networking emerges as a driving force, not only for securing immediate deals but also for fostering enduring relationships within their industries, a testament to its crucial role in professional growth. Moreover, the episode delves into stress management strategies, revealing the impact of stress on professionals and their families, while shedding light on the benefits of business coaching and mentorship in attaining fresh perspectives, building confidence, and propelling personal and professional growth.  As this enlightening discussion unfolds, it becomes abundantly clear that embracing challenges, taking calculated risks, and maintaining an insatiable drive are the cornerstones of perpetual success. A Managing Partner of Golden Bridge Strategies, Jennifer provides invaluable insights from the business-to-government sector in Sacramento, California, while engineer turned IT systems integration luminary, Jason, offers a glimpse into his remarkable journey scaling new heights. Meanwhile, Brandon, a real estate professional in Northern California, shares his secrets for outperforming the competition and delivering exceptional service to clients. Together, these accomplished guests offer a treasure trove of strategies and experiences to inspire the next generation of leaders. As the episode underscores the importance of networking, stress management, and the role of business coaching, it reinforces the notion that building relationships, seeking continuous learning, and embracing challenges are essential steps on the path to becoming perennial all-stars in any field. The Finer Details of This Episode: Personal branding Networking strategy Confidence and drive Relationship building Continuous learning Stress Management Business coaching Embracing challenges Quotes: "Your personal brand is your company's brand, it's your team's brand, it's how you're perceived." "People work with people that they like, that they trust." "It's not just about who you know, but also about who you collaborate with to deliver the best solutions to clients." "Networking is not just about growing your business, but also about staying informed, continuously improving, and building a supportive community within your industry." "You're not a finished product; you're not done, and you still have growing to do." "You can be successful at anything you put your mind to. It just takes work. You have to put one foot in front of the other and get it done." "Challenge yourself, take the leap.” “To have a business coach is like a therapist that is particularly trained in growing and building a business.” "The best lessons in life are failures." Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube Golden Bridge Strategies Jason Moncada's LinkedIn Page Brandon Collins @ Realtor.com

Together at the Top
22 - Style Matters. | Tom Gangitano, Owner-Buyer at Gene Hiller Menswear

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 52:19


In this engaging episode of "Together at the Top," host Nick Warner delves into the world of professional attire and its profound influence on personal brand and success. Joined by Tom Gangitano, a retail industry legend with 47 years of experience, their conversation unveils the secrets to thriving in the world of professional clothing. Tom's insights extend far beyond fashion, touching on critical principles that resonate with business professionals, including the importance of nurturing long-lasting customer relationships, the power of networking, and the pivotal role of empathy in building connections. The themes explored in this enlightening discussion encompass a broad spectrum of topics crucial to professional achievement. Tom underscores the pivotal role of professional attire in shaping personal brands and highlights how clothing choices can dramatically influence perceptions in various settings. Beyond the surface, Tom and Nick explore the subtle yet potent subliminal messages conveyed through grooming and small details, and Tom also offers valuable insights into tailoring clothing choices to specific audiences and the impact of attire on personal confidence and perception. Regarding Tom's own formidable business success, it becomes crystal clear that his commitment to understanding and enriching the lives of clients, as well his adherence to the principles of empathy, networking, and exceptional customer service are powerfully applicable to any industry. Brimming with wisdom regarding the worlds of fashion and retail, today's episode is tailor-made for budding entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike looking to clothe themselves in even greater personal and professional success. The Finer Details of This Episode: Professional attire matters Context is crucial Subtle signals matter Quality over price Audience-centric dressing Psychological impact Personal brand building Building customer relationships Quotes: "The smallest detail leaves the biggest impression." "Dressing is part of that edge. Knowledge is very important, and the more knowledge you have in every aspect of your approach and in your business, you're going to have the advantage." "You may never know how your attire shapes someone's opinion, but it's worth the attention." "You don't have to like my style, but it has to be sharp, it can't be sloppy." "Dressing professionally is a strategic tool for building and enhancing your personal brand." "Every client that walked in the door and purchased something from us was gold, and we were going to nurture that gold." "Networking is so important. People love it. They feel special, and that's what people want. They want that special event, that experience in anything they do in life." "You have to have a partner who's going to support you.” "Be a student of your profession. Do not set it and forget it." "You can't get this on Amazon." Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube Tom Gangitano's LinkedIn Page Gene Hiller Menswear

The Learn Landscape Photography Podcast
Ian Gaston - Finding the Finer Details in the Grand Landscape

The Learn Landscape Photography Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 20:34


Ian Gaston is a photographer based in California. Ian has a knack for finding those details that most people would walk right by. His portfolio is full of images of some of the finer details in a landscape, such as a swirling pattern in wood, or rocks on the ground.In this episode, Ian enlightens us when it comes to finding and capturing those details in the scene beautifully. We talk about not only finding the best compositions, but also editing those photos to perfection.Links from this episode:Ian's WebsiteIan's InstagramIf you're serious about becoming better at photography, the fastest way to do so is by joining me for an in-person workshop. Check my current workshop listings here.Find FREE photography tutorials on my YouTube channel.

Together at the Top
21 - Fostering a Culture of Responsive and Responsible Leadership | Marcie Frost, CEO California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 58:42


In today's illuminating episode, Nick engages in a compelling conversation with Marcie Frost, the CEO of CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the United States. Managing nearly $500 billion in assets and serving over 775,000 retirees, CalPERS plays a pivotal role in the financial security of public sector workers, and Marcie Frost's journey from humble beginnings to leading this financial behemoth highlights the power of inspirational leadership and personal growth. Her insights provide actionable strategies for effective leadership, fostering a thriving workplace culture, and retaining top talent. Themes of humility, relationships, and embracing discomfort emerge as key takeaways, reminding listeners of the value of continuous learning and the significance of creating a culture of trust and fearlessness. Throughout this captivating conversation, Marcie and Nick delve into essential leadership principles. Marcie's emphasis on inspirational leadership and the "hate to lose" mindset underlines the importance of championing team success and turning failures into opportunities for growth. The concept of "high support and high accountability" emerges as a powerful strategy to empower team members while maintaining responsibility. Additionally, Marcie's proactive approach, including "Stay Interviews" and transparent communication, provides valuable tools for organizations navigating talent retention in a competitive job market. The overarching message is clear: leadership is about embracing change, cultivating humility, and nurturing a culture that encourages innovation and employee growth. Marcie Frost's journey and wisdom serve as an inspiring roadmap for anyone looking to excel in their career while staying committed to personal and professional development. The Finer Details of This Episode: Inspirational leadership Learning from mistakes High support, high accountability Belonging and recognition Landing and expanding Teaching hospitals Stay interviews Trust and fearlessness Effective, transparent communication Embracing discomfort Quotes: “I followed a leader… who had been very supportive of me, given me opportunities to prove myself, put me in places that were uncomfortable at times to see if I could do it, and really gave me that opportunity to fail or succeed.” "Feedback is a gift, but it's only a gift if you deliver it in a way that they receive it as one.” "People can't give you their full self if they don't bring their full self into your company." "You have this responsibility to rein it in even when you don't want to." "I try to be very intentional about hiring people who have different experiences than I do." "You can't have fear in your workplace. People will not take risks if they think they're going to get in trouble." "What got you to this point will keep you there." "Bridge the gap by studying up and surrounding yourself with smart people." “I'm really supportive of people taking risks and making mistakes and learning from those mistakes… working for leaders who shared that same ideal or that same concept really helped me to stretch and grow.” "It's not about me, it's not about the boss. It's about the team. The boss does well when the team does well." Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube Marcie Frost's LinkedIn

Together at the Top
20 - Identifying and Filling Market Gaps Through Strategic Partnerships | Jon Zimmerman, Founder and CEO ReadySpaces

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 69:23


Welcome to the latest episode of Together at the Top where Nick engages in a fascinating conversation with Jon Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of ReadySpaces. As a pioneering storage and warehouse enterprise, with a footprint spanning over 30 locations across North America, ReadySpaces serves as a testament to Jon's journey from actor to dynamic entrepreneur. By identifying market gaps and embracing calculated risks, Jon's story, as told here today, truly embodies the essence of business evolution.  As you will hear, what originated as Jon's quest to address his own storage needs has since blossomed into a revolutionary business endeavor. A unique fusion of self-storage and warehouse solutions, ReadySpace fills a crucial niche for small and mid-sized businesses seeking more comprehensive storage solutions. Jon's success journey underscores the value of strategic partnerships, leveraging each other's strengths, and embracing dynamic shifts within the business landscape. Through his insights and real-life experiences, a treasure trove of lessons awaits entrepreneurs and business leaders eager to navigate the complex world of business with a strategic outlook. Tune in today as Nick and Jon explore the world of ReadySpaces and prepare to take in a wealth of profound information and advice regarding the practice of approaching business with a strategic mindset, cultivating meaningful partnerships, embracing change, and, ultimately, finding fulfillment in both professional and personal pursuits. The Finer Details of This Episode: The genesis of ReadySpaces Resilient entrepreneurship Strategic partnerships Adapting to change Innovative solutions The power of partnerships Overcoming adversity Growth trajectory Quotes: "I stuck with it and rode the ups and downs." "Entrepreneurship is about finding brilliant people to implement and help." "Business marriages are like personal marriages. You're going to have differences of opinion." "ReadySpaces: Where self-storage meets the future of business storage." "I'm really catering to the small business owner. I started looking at the marketplace and my self-storage facility led me to see a niche in the market." "I found that dealing with businesses and entrepreneurs was actually much more exciting for me. The self-storage business is a wonderful cash cow, but you're not all that involved." "I wanted to find something that could make money while I was sleeping... Risk it for the biscuit. And I've taken some big risks." "I don't know if you count one facility in Canada as being an international business, but technically it is.” "I tried to set up my life as a father to really be here for them. My tombstone will definitely say ‘He was around. He was a dad that was there and participated in all my kids' sports and extracurricular activities.'" "My successes have always come in partnership.” "Man, is it cool to have grown-up kids. It's really interesting to see what they've become and how they've evolved." “As an entrepreneur, if you're running your own business and you're not in partnership, it's hard to do it alone.” Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube ReadySpaces

Together at the Top
19 - Building Leadership, Culture, and Personal Brand | Mike Mazza, President of Moss Construction's Mid-Florida, Texas and California Operations

Together at the Top

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2023 54:06


Nick welcomes the truly exceptional Mike Mazza, President of Moss Construction's dynamic operations in Mid-Florida, Texas, and California, and his 25+ years of industry expertise to the podcast here today. As Nick and Mike delve into the realms of leadership, company culture, and personal growth, they unravel the profound significance of caring for employees beyond their professional duties, the transformative power of networking with genuine curiosity, and the pivotal role of personal branding in shaping one's reputation.  They also share a wealth of wisdom regarding the art of crafting a magnetic personal brand that resonates with your values and actions, and that will leave an indelible mark on others. Mike's visionary leadership philosophy, akin to a compassionate "camp counselor," will ignite your passion for helping others achieve their goals and fostering a thriving company culture. He and Nick go on to uncover the secrets of effective networking, emphasizing genuine curiosity and the willingness to learn from diverse perspectives. With invaluable insights on work-life integration, coaching and mentoring, setting expectations, and the power of feedback, today's episode will empower you to redefine success, seize new opportunities, and embark on a transformative journey of growth and fulfillment. The Finer Details of This Episode: Personal branding and reputation management Work-life balance and prioritization Effective networking Managing multiple business units Insights into business travel Lessons from negative mentors Coaching and Mentoring Feedback and continuous learning Quotes: "If you care, everything else seems to fall into place. Everybody wants to feel cared for." "Approach business challenges as more of a people challenge. Let's work together to figure out a solution that feels good to everybody." "Listen, we help folks that have left us that aren't coming back when they have a career challenge. If you were part of the family and you're no longer here, you're still part of the family." "Conflict without trust is just politics." "Use travel as an opportunity to see a new city, explore new things, learn new things, and meet new people." "Your brand speaks way before you ever speak. Somebody sees my name on the calendar invite, what are they thinking? What are they going to think about?" "Brand can be anything that resonates with you. The worst thing is to try to create a brand that isn't authentic to you." "The easiest way to learn what brand you'd like to have is to just watch other people's behaviors." "You've got to know who you are and understand the environment you're in and what you're trying to get out of those exchanges.” "Give feedback and take feedback. Ask for feedback, but do it in a productive way. The greatest gift you can be given is feedback." "Being nice is caring about somebody enough to give them the feedback that says, 'You know, you're not making the grade, you're struggling here a little bit. Let's work together to figure out how we can make that situation better.'" "You want more than one mentor. You want as many mentors as you can have." "You've got to be authentic. What works for one may not work for you. And that's okay." Links: Nick Warner Consulting Together at the Top on YouTube Mike Mazza's LinkedIn Page

SaunaiE
EP. 260: Goal Getter: Unleashing Your Purposeful Potential for Success

SaunaiE

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 14:06


S A U N A I E Presents Setting Purposeful Goals q u o t e s of the d a y: Your Struggles today are Preparing You for Your Victory Tomorrow. 2nd: Children must be taught how to think, not what to think. S e g m e n t s: Setting Purposeful Goals GOALS are Stepping Stones towards your Vision, Mission & Purpose, that's all they are & they serve little or no purpose if they don't fit in your vision for your life. S T E P 1: Create a Clear & Definitive Vision for your Life. - - The 1st step to Setting Purposeful Goals is to Create & Work from your Vision for Your Life, you have to know how you want your Life to look like & what you want to Create & Share with the World. S T E P 2: Map Out the Steps that are going to make that Vision a Reality - - The next step is to workout the steps that are going to make that Vision a Reality. So you may have to look at things like Location, Education, Skill Set, & Experience in order to move in that direction. Do Your research. S T E P 3: Work out HOW you're going to Achieve each Goal along the way. - - Once you've Mapped out the possible steps to make Your ideal Life & Vision a Reality, then & then do you have Actionable Goals. - - Your next Challenge is to Work out HOW you're going to Achieve each Goal along the way, it's time to start looking at the Finer Details. S T E P 4: Focus on the Top 3 ideas You can EXECUTE on right now. - - You need to make FORWARD Progress on your Goals & start taking Action. - - Choose the top 3 ideas that you can EXECUTE on factoring in your Current Time, Energy, Skills, & Resources. S T E P 5: Remove anything that is in Conflict with your Goals & Vision. - - You can start removing the Goals that are in Conflict with Each Other & Set a Realistic TimeFrame to reach each of your Targets. - - This is 1 of the Most important parts of the Process. - - Remove anything that is in Conflict with Your Vision. Setting intelligent Goals takes Time, Research, & Requires you to think in Great Detail about your Life. h o u s e k e e p i n g subscribe. share. review o u t r o: You don't need a New Year to Make a Change. All You Need is a Monday. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saunaie/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saunaie/support