“Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There’s going to be stress in life, but it’s your choice whether you let it affect you or not.” Valerie Bertarelli

Where does stress arise from? When you are next stressed try pause for a moment and reflect on why. I believe it is a beneficial exercise.

The dictionary defines stress as a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. We all know what stress feels like. It’s generally uncomfortable and not nice. In those times of stress, the ugly side of our character seems to become exposed. (more…)

Summary

In this episode, I speak with Stuart Friedman about cross-cultural dynamics in efforts to better understand how we can improve our relationships. Culture as he defines it is “how things get done.” In understanding how others do things, based on their beliefs and values, we can hopefully knock down cultural barriers that lead to ineffectiveness. It starts with understanding our own values and beliefs.

For more than 30 years, Stuart has been cultivating his passion for organizational behaviour, international travel and world cultures. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“Self-discipline is the root quality that will improve every aspect of your life.” Jocko Willink

Inspired by a talk that Jocko Willink gave as a guest on the Tim Ferris Show. Jocko said the words to this affect – that taking action is the key to success. I couldn’t agree more. If we don’t put one foot in front of the next and step forward into the challenge, change and the unfamiliar we won’t progress and evolve. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is a replay interview I did with Eric Zimmer – host of The One You Feed Podcast. He is a big believer in the wolf theory that he describes as that we become the one we feed. We both have both the good and bad wolf within us and if we feed the good wolf we become the good wolf – feed the bad wolf and we become the bad wolf.

The wolf theory states that we become the one we feed. We both have both the good and bad wolf within us and if we feed the good wolf we become the good wolf – feed the bad wolf and we become the bad wolf. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

“The start does matter. The beginning is significant. The first few steps are critical, but they are not the most important. Do you know what matters more and makes the start look almost silly and easy and almost insignificant? The finish.” Jon Acuff

The battle is perfectionism. I think that just about sums up the premise of this book. In the face of perfectionism, we struggle to finish all that we start. It can sometimes be the reason why we don’t start things in the first place but as Jon explains beautifully beginning is not the most significant hurdle, finishing is. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” Don Miguel Ruiz

Why sharing our feelings helps but venting only supports the ego that may induce and lead us into further suffering?

We’ve all heard about the benefits associated to positive affirmations. Dan McGinn, the author of Psyched Up, talks about the power in performance by using a technique called reappraisal. Similar to affirmations it’s about reinforcing the positive stories we tell ourselves to booster confidence and reduce anxiety. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary

Julian Baggini is a writer, best-selling author, and philosopher. This is a discussion that explores the dimensions of reason, rationality, critical thinking. Why it’s important and how we can establish more healthy debate that may just be critical of our continual progress.

We then discuss the topic of “truth.” What it is, why it’s relevant and how we can go about establishing the truth. Two very important themes form this wonderful conversation. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“Masters are not experts because they take a subject to its conceptual end, they are masters because they realise there isn’t one.” Sarah Lewis

Is self-mastery a mindset? Are we all able to achieve our full potential or is mastery only available to those with the resources or pre-existing talent?

Mastery is the comprehensive knowledge or skill on a particular subject. However, there is always more to learn as time passes and subjects change and evolve, and therefore self-mastery is a continuous, infinite and forever expansive. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary

These days, it’s often easier to avoid face-to-face contact in favor of technological shortcuts. In this episode, Michael Gelb, the author of The Art of Connection, shares not only why real interaction is crucial in building meaningful relationships but are also the key to creating innovative ideas and solving our most intractable problems.

We begin our discussion on the topic of ‘how to think’ with Michael referring to the work in an early book – How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. In discussing each of the “seven steps to genius” Michael makes a clear connection between how they relate to building better relationships and the art of connection. That both he and I agree is an integral part of raising our well-being and living a meaningful life.  (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Andres Ericsson and Robert Pool

“So here we have purposeful practice in a nutshell: Get outside your comfort zone but do it in a focused way, with clear goals, a plan for reaching those goals, and a way to monitor your progress. Oh, and figure out a way to maintain your motivation.” Anders Ericsson

What does it take to master any skill and become an expert in any particular field? Is it only exclusively available for a select few? Does it boil down to innate talent or something to do with our gene pool? Is mastery prohibitively tricky and therefore not something we can all obtain? Can anyone improve on any skill they desire? (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download