Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

If there’s one thing the year 2020 has shown us is that it’s very easy for things to go sideways. The COVID pandemic, the racial injustices, and all the bad things that started to happen all around the globe are strongly influencing people’s moral and their feeling of hope.   That’s why in this episode, we want to focus on gratitude and hope because these two are the motor that can keep us going, can help lower the anxiety levels we’re experiencing, and can always, no matter the circumstances, do good for ourselves and our families.   So, listen to Episode 247 of Becoming Your Best to find out how you can practice gratitude every day, some example of things you can be grateful for, and how hope has a ripple effect and one person can truly make a difference not only for those around them, but for people all over the world.   In this episode, you will learn: One of the main enemies of gratitude: comparison with others. (02:19) The importance of spending at least a few minutes a day on practicing gratitude. (03:47) Why we recommend spending less time on social media. (06:22) What you can do to keep the feeling of hope in a world where it seems people are starting to lose it. (07:31) A beautiful example that shows there’s still hope for all of us. (09:57) The two possible meanings of the acronym G.I.G.O. (11:31)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every person has a different skill set that they bring into the world - and combining two powerhouses, two strengths in a partnership can lead to something that’s far greater than ever imagined.  Today, we have two amazing guests that put together their strengths, kept a clear delineation of their lanes, and brought into the world The Podcast Accelerator course. This is the only done-for-you program on the planet, where they take you from “I’m not sure what the concept of my show would be”, all the way through to having a published, finished podcast by the end of their eight-week course.  If you’re wondering who these amazing women are, here’s some background on them! Ginni Saraswati is the CEO and Founder of Ginni Media – a podcast production company that helps individuals and organizations each step of the way into creating, marketing, and distributing their podcasts and making their voices heard – and we are grateful to be one of her many clients. Her wonderful business partner is Michelle Sorro, the founder of Live Video Academy and the amazing host of the “Fire and Soul” podcast, a top 10 in self-development.  Together, they’ve guided 53 people to launch their podcasts through two editions of The Podcast Accelerator Program, and they’ve poured their heart and soul into delivering the most value into the world. This amazing program started from the idea that it can be isolating and a little lonely trying to go solo when your friends and family might not be in the same space of understanding what it’s like to start a podcast, run a podcast, and most importantly, persevere in the podcast industry – so, joining a community that can offer support throughout the whole process can help you stay the course and get to the finish line.  If you want to start your podcast, and you’re not sure how or you need a little bit of hand-holding throughout the process, listen to Episode 246 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can be part of the third – and last this year – edition of The Podcast Accelerator. They have an Open House soon, so feel free to join there also, and learn what you can expect from these two amazing powerhouses that impact the world every day through their work! Some questions I ask: Ginni and Michelle, tell us about your background – how did you get to where you are today? (04:53) Ginni, what is currently happening in the world of podcasts? Can you give us some stats? (10:53) Michelle, if someone's interested in hosting a podcast show, how do they get it done? (17:49) Ginni, what are some things that podcasters can do to have as wide a reach as possible for their target listeners? (21:06) How can you make a podcast show relevant? (25:48) How can people find out about the Podcast Accelerator? (33:07) In this episode, you’ll learn:  How Podcast Accelerator was born & A valuable lesson for those who want to jump in a partnership. (07:53) How to overcome impostor’s syndrome when you’re considering starting a podcast. (17:08) The long-term benefits that Michelle gained by hosting a podcast. (19:49) Why it’s better to start a podcast alongside people that want to do the same. (20:13) The relationship between money and podcasting. (22:55) How vulnerability makes you timeless. (27:56) How to start to carpe diem your dreams. (30:50) Taking the time to pause and self-reflect can lead to better decisions. (31:53) Check out The Podcast Accelerator which removes ALL the guesswork of how to get started.This is the only program on the planet that produces your podcast FOR YOU.We've produced 53 podcasts during the pandemic!This full-service program gives you all the tools, tech resources, and support you need to become the successful podcaster you’re meant to be.Yep, you're guaranteed a LIVE professionally edited podcast on all your favorite podcast apps by the end of the program.If you’re ready to share your amazing, one-of-a-kind message with the world, we’re here to make that happen.Come by our last Open House of the year, Wednesday, September 9 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST to learn more.Sign up for our Open House here.SPACE IS LIMITED AND THIS PROGRAM ALWAYS SELLS OUT.Connect with Michelle: Website Podcast Accelerator Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Ginni: Website Facebook  LinkedIn  Instagram Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

“Come what may and love it!” is not just a saying. It’s an attitude about life! Every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don't sing and the bells don't ring. Yet, despite discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result. There may be some who think that their leaders or others rarely experience pain, suffering, and distress. If only that were true! Well, almost every person, man or woman, has experienced an abundant measure of joy. Each, also, has drunk deeply from the cup of disappointment, sorrow, and loss. None are really shielded from grief or sadness. This is part of life and part of humanity. Today’s episode is inspired by a talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin, who is an American businessman and a renowned religious leader, who lived to be 91 years old. We’re going to give you a piece of great advice – the same Joseph received from his mother, almost 100 years ago, when he experienced a sad moment - on how to handle the setbacks, the tough times, and to take responsibility and move forward to make the best of life that could ever be possible! So, listen to Episode 245 of Becoming Your Best to learn what you can do to weather the storms, keep your feet under you, gain experience, and have greater happiness and success as you encounter the bumps, challenges, and disappointments along the way of life.  In this episode, you will learn: The origin story of the advice, “Come What May And Love It!” (01:24) How our way of reacting to adversity is a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. (04:32) The antidote to hard times: learning to laugh about it & three examples that prove its effectiveness. (05:15) The value of the refiners’ fire – going through trials and becoming better because of them. (11:17) The importance of exercising faith and hope in the face of all the challenges in life. (17:27) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life is hard sometimes. We get to face challenges we’ve never imagined we would, during our time on this earth – and it’s up to us how we react to those obstacles in our way to a happy and successful existence. What would you do? Give up, or push through?  Your ability to be successful in spite of challenges is directly related to how fast you're able to say "so what!" My guest today is a true example of that statement. Summer Owens is an award-winning Resilience and Leadership speaker, 11-times published author, and certified life coach. She's the founder and CEO of S.O. What! and the S.O What! Foundation. In addition to being an author and a speaker, life coach, excuse eliminator, and entrepreneur, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis where she teaches marketing and the life skills course she created. Summer became a mother at 15 as a result of a forced sexual encounter, but she didn't let that stop her from achieving her dreams! She graduated from high school, college, and business school with honors and was named "Most Likely To Succeed" and "Miss University" - with her son by her side through it all. And she indeed earned her prize!  Listen to Episode 244 of Becoming Your Best, to find out her story, how she overcame the obstacles in her life, what drove her, and how she’s inspiring countless people through her work.  Some questions I ask:  Tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that’s had a significant impact on you and on what you’re doing. (02:42) How did you get to be a speaker? Where did that idea come from? (07:35) What’s it like being a woman minority in corporate America? (10:40) What is it like to tell such a personal story, like you’ve been talking about? (13:39) Tell us about S.O What! Give us the background on it, describe it, help us understand it. (17:09) Any final tips you’d like to leave our listeners with? (24:50) In this episode, you will learn:  The reason Summer decided to write her memoir – her first book. (04:37) How having set goals motivated Summer to push through the challenges she was faced with and defy the statistics. (05:15) Three of the Becoming Your Best Principles that helped Summer become successful: having a vision, managing with a plan, and prioritizing your time. (08:47) The importance of looking for the lesson in every challenge you go through. (21:33) How to be accountable for your life. (22:15) The power of never giving up whenever life gets hard. (23:05) Connect with Summer: Website LinkedIn Facebook Page Instagram Twitter Youtube Channel Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One enormous benefit of writing your personal history and that of others dear to you is that it provides you with a perspective of life, and a sense of gratitude for all the blessings that you've been able to enjoy.  Today, the subject of this episode is an entirely different dimension of Becoming Your Best. It very much relates because, of course, we want to become our best across the various roles in life - and family is a big role. This one is about writing or recording your personal life history while capturing and preserving the stories of your life and perhaps others dear to you, for your posterity, friends and family, for the vast majority, including future generations you may not now know but one day will! These are family legends that are told from one generation to the next - and they live on in so many ways, and weave into our lives a tapestry of depth, color, strength, humor, inspiration, meaning, connection, and vibrancy. And unless these stories are written down with time, they will be lost. Listen to Episode 243 of Becoming Your Best, to find out how you can begin to write your personal story, as well as the ones of your relatives so that the future generations can learn and be inspired by your life’s legacy.  In this episode, you will learn:  An example of how easy it is to gather information and write someone’s history, even if they’re no longer with us. (01:28) How the ‘Family Search’ app works and why it’s one of the most comprehensive family history services. (04:48) How capturing your personal history takes you on your journey of becoming your best. (06:48) Some tips on how you can produce your life history. (12:29) Where you can get an outline on how to put together your story. (16:04) The way your personal history impacts your vision for the future. (16:35)  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Leadership is doing the right things, and management is doing things right.” In times of crisis, leadership and management are the most valuable skills that you can have. Leadership provides direction, peace, focus, and clarity, while management provides execution on what matters most. These two powerful skills have an enormous impact on your success, and in today’s episode, we’re going to show you how YOU can exercise magnificent, inspired courageous leadership, in all aspects of your life, and manage your teams to achieve the worthy results and objectives that you set. The episode is filled with real-life examples that prove, over and over again, that great leaders produce great results! Tune in, and listen to Episode 242 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how the majestic skill of leadership and the indispensable skill of management will help you win the day! In this episode, you will learn:  The definitions of leadership and management. (02:12) How several people, throughout history, successfully exercised the skill of leadership and management. (06:09) How YOU can exercise magnificent, inspired, courageous leadership, in all aspects of your life, with the help of the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders. (09:23) Three examples of how you can be good by doing what matters most, every day. (13:08) The importance of managing to solid business basics. (18:18) How to stay ahead of the tsunamis that come your way. (22:54) A history lesson that shows how a true leader exercises his capabilities. (24:32) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time for your mid-year check-in!   In today’s short episode, Rob Shalleneberger provides a guide for checking in with yourself and your goals. No matter how this year has gone for you, this is not a space to beat yourself up or feel down about how you’ve progressed on your goals this year. Instead, this is a chance to make a slight course correction to ensure that you stick with and achieve your goals!   Listen in to Episode 241 of Becoming Your Best to learn the 5 things to refocus, pivot, or make necessary adjustments to your finances, health, relationships, and work.   In This Episode You Will Learn:  How you start the morning affects the rest of your day. (4:44) How to revamp your Pre-Week Planning to make time for the things that matter in your life. (7:10) How to review your roles & goals for 2020. (10:15) The effects of consuming uplifting content. (11:35) Why being of service to others will be the number one thing that lifts you up. (14:33)  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Internet has become an important part of our lives, the cyberattacks have grown in number, significance, and the damage they can do to us. Unfortunately, most people still don’t take cybersecurity seriously because they believe only the important institutions are targeted.  But, as our guest today stressed many times in this episode, everybody is a target, regardless of their financial status, and it’s our job to protect ourselves. Luckily, as cyberattacks intensify, so does cybersecurity, and there are people like Dr. Cole that have made it their mission to make cyberspace a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.  Dr. Eric Cole is a distinguished cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker, with more than 30 years of experience, who helps organizations curtail the risk of cyber threats. He has worked with a variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to top International organizations, banks, CIA, and he’s been the featured speaker at many security events and has been interviewed by several chief media outlets, such as CNN, CBS News, Fox News, 60 Minutes.  Eric focuses on creating, enhancing, and solving complex problems. He is the founder of Secure Anchor Consulting – a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions and services. As you can tell by this description already, he’s the go-to guy for all the cybersecurity concerns you might have, whether in your personal or your professional life.  If you want to find out more about the first steps you can take right now, to protect your online life, then tune into Episode 240 of Becoming Your Best, and learn cybersecurity 101 from an industry expert!  Some questions I ask: What’s your background, and how did you end up in cybersecurity? (02:22) How did you keep your feet under you with all those noes, and keep moving forward and looking for the ‘Yes’? (07:30) How do you help people in the cybersecurity space? (12:14) What are some of your favorite stories from being a hacker for the CIA? (13:42) What are some of the dangers of cyberspace? (15:11) How do we recognize these cybersecurity threats and protect ourselves from them? (17:46) In this episode, you will learn:  The importance of always asking questions even if no one else is. (03:39) Persistence is the key to finding the “Yes” you need. (04:44) Getting laser-focused on one thing only can help you create the life that you want. (08:53) The two-year rule that Eric applies to his goals and ideas. (10:08) Eric’s mission for his business. (11:26) What steps you should take to protect yourself if you do online banking. (18:49) Why you should not ignore any anomaly in your accounts - however small - and what action you can take. (20:58) What ransomware means and how you can protect your data from such attacks. (22:35) What Windows users can do to protect themselves from malware. (24:05) Connect with Dr. Cole: Website Book: Online Danger Facebook Page LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the reasons we like to talk so much about leadership is because we know that everyone is the leader of their own life. Regardless of the situation, you are responsible for the actions that you take, so we offer you the tools that can help you become your best, and lead your life by design, not by default.  In today’s episode, we invited Matt to talk about his lifelong experience of being a leader. The lessons he’s learned through trial and error are evergreen and apply to every individual, whether it’s in business or in personal life. And especially now, when COVID is changing what, up until recently, we knew was normal, we need all the advice that we can get. We guarantee you that Matt’s golden nuggets will prove to be beneficial to you, your family, and your co-workers and teams.  Matt Sweetwood is the current CEO of LUXnow – a luxury travel platform. Before his current role, he spent 29 years as the CEO of Unique Photo, where he’s made significant revenue improvements through his ability and courage to take action and through his amazing vision. He’s also the author of “Leader of the Pack” – the number one bestseller in the self-help category. The book tells the story of how he suddenly became a single father to five children, which ultimately made him a better person, leader, entrepreneur, and father.  Listen to Episode 239 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to successfully pivot in business, and how important it is to always think of ways in which you could reinvent your organization - tomorrow, even, if a crisis occurs.  Questions I ask: What are some of the big things that you touch on the book? (04:54) What are the big changes you see happening in the marketplace, now, with everything moving online? (14:07)  What are one or two of your biggest lessons learned throughout your life? (21:30) In this episode, you will learn:  What Matt’s book, “Leader of the Pack” is all about. (02:45) The number one condition to be able to lead other people. (03:46) The ultimate driving force in leadership. (06:03) The successful pivots Matt took while being the CEO of Unique Photo. (08:20)  The two types of pivots companies can make & How COVID has changed education, probably for good. (11:22) The biggest mistake people can do in business. (17:35) The actions Matt took at LUXnow when he realized that COVID might affect the normal way of doing business. (17:50) Matt’s advice when it comes to the relationships you have in your life. (22:40) Connect with Matt: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter LUXnow website Book - Leader of the Pack: How a Single Dad of Five Led His Kids, His Business, and Himself from Disaster to Success Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we’re faced with a certain situation, oftentimes we create multiple what-if scenarios in our minds with endless possibilities of how something could go wrong. This wiring of ours can only bring us stress, panic, and feelings of anxiousness because, most likely, none of those scenarios will turn into a reality. In today’s episode, you will learn how to spot those made-up stories that your brain tends to focus on, the questions you need to ask yourself or others in order to do a reality check every time you feel you go sideways, and how to turn all those negative stories that we imagine, into positives ones, so that you can live a happier, stress-free life.  Tune in to Episode 238 of Becoming Your Best, and learn how to develop the ability to rewrite your stories and see what impact it has in your life.  In this episode, you will learn:  The reasons why Principle #7 of Highly Successful Leaders is one of the hardest ones to apply in our lives. (02:04) The two lessons that I’ve learned in just two days. (02:41) An example that proves the impact of communicating in a way that motivates others. (03:55) How we create stories out of thin air that do not reflect the reality we’re in. (08:14) How to turn the negative stories into positives ones. (12:00) What you can do right after listening to this episode. (14:24) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

High-performing leaders and organizations constantly look for ways to improve their strategies, their workplace, and their people. They never stop moving forward and always figure out ways to grow. Sometimes, this means bringing someone from the outside world into your company and letting them share their experience.  Our guest today, Greg, is an expert at helping others find the blind spots in their companies and take action on changing and improving their culture. He shares with us golden nuggets, throughout the entire episode, that apply not only in the professional life but also in everyone’s personal life.   Greg Spillane is a growth-focused technology leader with an 18+ year track record of success in large-scale business development, architecting, and implementing innovative go-to-market strategies, building high-performing teams with a strong culture and taking technology products from concept to commercial viability by leading the strategy, design, development, and marketing.   Greg applies all the lessons he has learned throughout his athletic career as a Division I offensive lineman as well as those he learned while developing high-performing teams and organizations, to further improve his skills and help other businesses thrive.   Listen to Episode 237 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to better lead your teams, how to build the culture that you want and why it’s important to trust the people that you chose to be part of your organization and let them do what they do best, without micromanaging them.   Questions I ask:  How has athletics, how has that experience as a Division I athlete helped you become a better leader? (03:09) How do you approach winning hearts and minds when you go into a company? (08:07) From your perspective, how important is culture within an organization? (11:04) How can you change a culture that’s already established? (13:45) What do you mean by ‘never stop moving forward’? (18:43) In this episode, you will learn: Success comes only through dedication, commitment, and hard work. (04:16) One powerful definition of ‘discipline’ that applies to everything that we do in any walk of life. (06:00) The three pillars of building the culture you want for your company. (11:46) The importance of having a team aligned with your company’s vision, purpose, and goals. (14:35) How to get closer to your goals when they seem too big and far away. (17:27) The reasons why you should truly stop trying to micromanage your teams. (19:36) Doing everything out of passion is ultimately the most important thing in life. (24:58) Connect with Greg: LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Email: [email protected]  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance Facebook Group – Conquer Anxiety  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A couple of weeks ago, we did an episode where we discussed Chapters #1 and #2 of our recently released book, “Conquer Anxiety”. We talked about, what is the mind all about? Why do we, as humans, experience anxiety? What’s happening in the brain, that’s causing that? We also stressed the importance of taking the assessment in Chapter #2 because that will help us understand the root cause of what’s causing the anxiety and where that fear is coming from. After you understand where your anxiety is stemming from - the nervousness, the anxiousness - now, what do you do about it? How do you conquer that anxiety, overcome it, and learn to move beyond it, so that you can have boldness, confidence, freedom and peace, and be liberated from those emotions that are so gripping to so many of us?In today’s episode, our dear friend and co-author, Jon Skidmore, comes back once again as our guest, to answer these questions. He shares with us what the five stages of conquering anxiety are all about and how they can serve us as a tool for easing our way into becoming high-performance individuals. Listen to Episode 236 of Becoming Your Best, to learn what performance anxiety is, how to prepare for our ‘performance’, and what we should do once the event passes.Questions I ask:Jon, can you talk about stage one of conquering anxiety, which is, “Identify the vision”? (06:30)Can you explain to people what Monkey Chatter is? (17:25)Talk about stage five – the Post-Performance Debrief. (29:23)In this episode, you will learn: A brief overview on the five stages of conquering anxiety & some examples where the performance anxiety can kick in. (03:11)The mental and physical preparation to conquer anxiety. (10:17)The six different exercises in the book that will help you calm your body down when your anxiety gets activated. (12:36)The reason why we did the online course that accompanies this book. (16:50)How to react in stage three – the Pre-Performance Experience. (20:23)The chair flying exercise. (21:57)What a peak performance is. (26:43)The three parts of stage four – The Performance. (27:40)How the avoidance starts to show up when we’re not dealing with our anxieties. (35:09)Connect with Jon:LinkedInWebsiteBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: [email protected]  Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leadership is a journey and such a driving force in life! It is both tangible and intangible, and where it really makes a difference is in crisis. It makes a difference between a good and a great family, a good and a great community, or a good and a great company, because it takes a great deal of self-discipline to be a leader, to be on time, and to choose the harder right over the easier wrong. The perfect place to learn these values is in the army, and oftentimes, the people that have served in the US Military, in high positions, have become excellent leadership examples to follow.  In today’s episode, Becky and I discuss the qualities and the values a highly successful leader must have, the reasons why everything starts with yourself, and the importance of knowing when to step up and admitting when it’s time to step down. We also dive deep into her experience in the Military and how it was for her, not only to be a woman in a men’s world, but also thrive in there and lead thousands of soldiers in combat. Becky Halstead is a retired Brigadier General who founded her own consultancy company - STEADFAST Leadership - after 27 years of service in the United States Army, and one year as the Executive Director for Leader Development with Praevius Group. She has been honored to be selected to attend West Point in 1977 - entering with the second class of women and being the first kid from her hometown to graduate from West Point. She's blessed to be the first female graduate of West Point to be promoted to General Officer and she served and commanded in combat, as the first female Commanding General at the strategic level of leadership in Iraq - leading 20,000 soldiers, 5,000 civilians from 2005 to 2006 - a first for our Army and our Nation. Becky has also written the leadership book, “The First Person You Must Lead Is You”, so listen to Episode 235 of Becoming Your Best, to learn some strategies she used in the military and how can those translate in the civilian world so that we can all become our best at leading teams.  Questions I ask: Could you, please, tell us about your background, including any turning points that have had a significant impact on you? (03:00) What was it like to be the first woman graduate who became a general? (10:59) How did you deal with the setbacks you encountered in your journey? (12:45) How did your book come to be? (17:20) What is the value of both practical and tactical leadership, in being able to get results? (21:26) In this episode, you will learn:  How Becky’s high school coach influenced her decision to go to West Point. (05:19) The importance of not quitting when it gets tough. (07:35) How the death of Becky’s coach has helped her later in life, during her military career. (09:11) What the acronym STEADFAST stands for and the reason Becky decided to make it her leadership model. (19:26) One of the most important qualities a leader should possess. (22:36) The difference between practical and tactical leadership. (23:45) Connect with Becky:  Website Facebook Page LinkedIn Twitter Book: Becky Halstead – The First Person You Must Lead Is You YouTube Channel Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last few decades, in our culture, it’s almost been this move-away from being able to have open conversations. There is this fear that people get offended so easily and it seems like there’s a lot of things that we can’t talk about. And that’s unfortunate because there’s so many conversations that we could be having with others if we were willing to have an open mind and an open dialogue, without necessarily worrying about offending others.  One of these types of discussions that have become taboo-like in our culture, are around God and religion. That’s why today, we invited someone that is literally influencing the world through the short films, movies, and TV series that he produces and are faith-based. Dallas Jenkins is the Producer and Director of “The Chosen” – the first-ever multi-seasoned show about the life of Christ. This series was born out of Dallas’s biggest career disappointment, and it encompasses the Gospels in the Bible and shares a beautiful message of hope. The first season had just reached 32 million views and Dallas and his team plan to do seven more seasons and touch on a billion people’s souls.   Listen to Episode 234 of Becoming Your Best to find out the events that led to the birth of this masterpiece, how it’s impacting people so far, and what the future holds for “The Chosen”.  Questions I ask: Can you, please, tell us a little bit about you? (03:13) What is your vision for “The Chosen”? (22:38) Up to this point, what were one or two of the biggest highlights from the whole experience of putting together season one? (25:59) In this episode, you will learn: How “The Chosen” was born. (04:22) Dallas’s biggest career failure. (07:05) The story of The Feeding of the 5000 and its meaning. (08:44) An example of what “Impossible math” means – How Dallas managed to break the records of crowdfunding. (13:38) How the Pay It Forward program works and how you can help fund this project. (16:09) The top reasons why people have been so passionate about this show. (19:06) Connect with Dallas:  “The Chosen” on VidAngel “The Chosen” App Dallas Jenkins on IMDB Instagram Facebook Page LinkedIn Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety is something that reaches more people than we realize. It's something that touches us in so many different ways, and it’s crucial to learn where it comes from, to understand how it influences us, and how can we begin to take control over our past experiences that trigger it. We wanted to make it easier for you to get all the information you need related to overcoming this feeling, so we worked on a book called, “Conquer Anxiety”, that’s designed to do just that. Co-authoring with us is Jon Skidmore, a licensed psychologist and a professor at Brigham Young University, who has an amazing background in helping people through anxiety and all kinds of performance anxiety-related issues. Today, we invited him to share some powerful insights into understanding the basics of how our brain functions, and why we’re sometimes driven by fears that create powerful anxieties that get in our way throughout the journey of becoming our best. Jon is committed to getting the psychological skills of peak performance and mental toughness into the hands of performers of all ages and stages. Listen to Episode 233 of Becoming Your Best to learn how the book he wrote alongside with us can help you get a clearer view on the triggers that activate the flight response that stops you from achieving greatness.  Questions I ask: Why do we experience anxiety in the first place, as human beings? (02:41) There is an assessment in Chapter 2 of our book “Conquer Anxiety”. Why is it so important for people to take it before they jump to learning the other different techniques? (08:41) As you see and meet with people on a daily basis, what are some of the most common recurring things that you see? (16:39) In this episode, you will learn:  The importance of knowing that you activate your anxiety faster than you can deactivate it. (04:25) The way our adult fears and anxiety triggers are deeply rooted in our childhood experiences. (05:35)  How our brain tends to first see the negative in a situation. (10:55) The benefits of doing the assessment in chapter 2 of the book “Conquer Anxiety”. (14:36) The five stages of peak performance that will help you conquer your anxieties. (15:36) The distinction between positive and negative visualization & How they both impact our lives. (18:54) The importance of designing a mindset when we create our visions. (20:46) Facing the anxieties and the fears that you have expands your world and your possibilities. (24:52) Connect with Jon: LinkedIn Website Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking an idea and starting a business can be difficult and daunting for some people, especially because sometimes they don’t know where to start and what end to grab.  Did you know that 75% of the new businesses fail? That’s a pretty scary number, but there are specific ways to avoid the pitfalls within the Formula for Failure, and they all come down to having a clear process in place, and well-defined strategies and goals. Today, we are going to share with you the keys to becoming a successful entrepreneur and building the thriving business that you’ve dreamed of. The course that contains all of these actions you’re going to hear about in this episode, has proven to be helpful over and over again for people that decided to onboard on the journey to leadership, and we are positive that it will help you steer the wheel in the right direction, too.  So, listen to Episode 232 of Becoming Your Best, to learn what a business needs from its founder, to thrive, grow, and pivot toward the desired goals.  In this episode, you will learn:  The first key to being a successful entrepreneur – taking care of yourself. (07:37) The things you should focus on during the idea phase of your business. (08:46) The steps to follow in the next chapter of your business: the Go – No-go phase. (11:13) How to develop your USP – Unique Selling Proposition. (14:52) How to develop a strategic plan with clear goals and specific strategies to grow your company. (16:53) The importance of having an exit strategy right from the beginning. (19:05) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We were born with a voice box, but it didn’t come with instructions on how best to use it.” – AmyK Hutchens Communication is hard, and every single day, really smart people are either attempting or avoiding a tough conversation. But, the fact of the matter is that almost everything we want – whether it’s a salary increase, a better life, better relationships – is on the other side of a difficult conversation, and the more skilled we are to be able to prepare for these critical moments in our lives, the more we get what we desire.  In today’s episode, my guest, AmyK, focuses on teaching us how to discover what we want and what other people want so that we can create better connections and profitable outcomes. We dive deep into some magical phrases that can ease our conversations and she shares the steps we have to follow to improve the way we communicate. AmyK Hutchens is an international award-winning speaker, Amazon best-selling author, and has over 19 years of experience in training and consulting. She has clients such as The Home Depot, Starbucks Canada, Expedia, Lockheed Martin, Walmart, and just a host of others. She travels the globe sharing with executives, influencers, and go-getters how to navigate their toughest conversations, and has been a featured guest on numerous TV and radio networks, including Bloomberg, NBC, Fox, and ABC. She comes from a family of teachers and educators and literally, when she was five years old she was playing school with her imaginary students. You can imagine how skilled she is at teaching people, so listen to Episode 231 of Becoming Your Best to learn how to honor your voice, one conversation at a time, to get what you want and create a profitable life.  Questions I ask:  Tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you, and how did you get to where you're at today? (02:12) What’s your recommendation for people to know what they really want? (07:44) How important is it that people know what the other person wants? (09:57) What are some of the magical phrases that effectively break down walls and create new possibilities? (11:09) How do you prepare for your most important conversations, to ensure really great outcomes? (18:44) How can people honor the worth of their own voice? (20:19) In this episode, you will learn:  What inspired AmyK to write the book “Get it!” & what the book is about. (03:56) Improving your emotional literacy allows you to better connect with other people and with yourself. (08:43) How the phrase “A Part of Me” gives you a space for dialogue versus getting defensive and armoring up. (11:59) How the phrase “How Might We” leads to more engagement and more inclusivity. (13:13) Using the magical phrase, “I have this story in my head” can lead to a better conversation. (14:42) The phrase “Help me understand what’s the thought behind” is a great way to practice empathy. (16:20) AmyK’s most important advice when it comes to dealing with tough conversations. (23:05) Connect with AmyK: Website Instagram LinkedIn Book – Get It: Five Steps to the Sex, Salary and Success You Want Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being productive and efficient - both in our professional and personal lives - is a difficult task sometimes. There are countless apps and programs that come in handy sometimes, but many of them are not mindful of the fact that we don’t all think and process information the same way - thus, our strategies to increase productivity should be adapted to what works best for us.  Carson knows all about designing personalized methods for better managing our time to accomplish more in a shorter period of time, and in today’s episode, she is going to share with us powerful insights into the styles of productivity that fit our needs. We also discuss how to work smarter from home and how to eliminate or reduce as much as possible the distractions that keep us from being efficient.  Carson Tate is the founder and managing partner of Working Simply - a productivity and training firm that served a fast-growing list of clients including Delta Airline, FedEx, Wells Fargo, or Chick-fil-A. She is known for igniting personal transformation through her simple, powerful, and actionable strategies and tools.  Carson wants people to work smarter, not harder, and she is on a mission to debunk the time management myths that keep us trapped or overwhelmed, and to help us personalize our productivity, so we can work simply and live fully. Prior to starting Working Simply, she worked in human resources and sales functions with Fortune 200 firms. She holds a bachelor's in psychology, a Master's in organizational development, and she has advanced coaching certificates. Listen to Episode 230 of Becoming Your Best, to find out which productivity style suits you, where can you find the strategies that apply best to your personality, and how you can simplify your work.  Questions I ask: Carson, tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you, and maybe that's even led you to do what you're doing today. (02:07)  The subtitle of your book is “Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style” – what does that mean? (09:31) How can we conquer the overwhelm of working and living in this ever-changing and complex Coronavirus world? (14:21) What are some of the best tips that you have of working together virtually - things that really work, that are productive? (18:40) Any other final tips that you would like to give our listeners today that you think would help them in personal or professional productivity? (24:50) In this episode, you will learn: How her book, “Work Simply” can help you increase your productivity. (05:01) The four productivity styles and their characteristics. (06:15) Some productivity strategies for each one of the four styles. (10:26) The importance of knowing the productivity styles of your manager and coworkers. (13:02) The four-part framework to work simply and live fully in the Coronavirus world. (15:24) How to manage the distractions that surround us when we are working from home, by using “The Stoplight System”. (20:12) The role music plays in our productivity. (22:00) Connect with Carson: Website LinkedIn Book – Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver." - Rosalyn Carter Having to take care of a loved one that is going through some tough situation, health wise, can be overwhelming most of the time, especially if we are the only person that is carrying this burden.  In today’s episode, Erin points out that we are not alone in this, and she teaches us how to create the support group we so desperately need, to avoid the caregiver fatigue. She also shares some of the strategies she has applied when her sister needed an advocate and how she managed to keep everyone informed and looped in, every step of the way. Erin Galyean is an energetic and passionate certified Becoming Your Best trainer within her organization, whose main goal is to inspire others to have an open mindset, develop new skills, and have fun while learning. Based on her experiences with losing both her father and sister to life-threatening diseases, Erin has recently written a book, “Badass Advocate: Becoming the Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves”, with the sole purpose of helping other caregivers who are faced with similar situations to handle everything with ease and grace.     So, listen to Episode 229 of Becoming Your Best, and learn how to plan for something that hopefully you won’t have to deal with, but you most likely will, at some point.  Questions I ask: Why did you write the book and who is it for? (04:47) What are a couple of the strategies that you've outlined in your book that people could learn from you? (10:27) You wrote the book, you published it – how do you think this will help caregivers going forward? What’s next? (20:21) In this episode, you will learn: The improvements we made to the BYB Personal Productivity Assessment. (00:54) Erin’s background that shaped her into the woman she is today. (01:54) How to create, as a caregiver, a support team that will help you feel less overwhelmed. (11:21) Recording the conversations you have with your doctors – with their permission – has proven to be very helpful. (15:30) The type of resources you can find if you go to Erin’s website. (23:59)   Connect with Erin:  Website Facebook Instagram Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An educated population, given the right tools, can solve any problem. That’s why, now more than ever, with the constant evolution of technology and the amount of information we have access to, it’s important to bring education front and center on the list of things that we are supporting. University leaders have the responsibility to be responsive to their students’ needs and find new ways to adapt faster and better organize their internal structure so that they can take advantage of every opportunity available.  In today’s episode, Dr. Saunders and I are talking about the future of education, and what every university should do to quickly respond to change and pivot so that they can align with the constant demands of innovation.   Martha Saunders is the sixth president of the University of West Florida, and in her 30-plus years in higher education, she has served as a professor of communication, honors director, dean of arts and sciences and as provost, chancellor, or president at universities in Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Mississippi. Her area of academic expertise is in public relations and crisis communication for which she has won numerous awards, including two Public Relations Society of America’s coveted Silver Anvils. She is also the 2011 National Winner of the Stevie Award for Women in Business.  Her vision for the University of West Florida is for it to grow beyond its beginnings as a regional comprehensive university, and be seen as a leader in innovation and cutting-edge academic programs. Listen to Episode 228 of Becoming Your Best, to find out what is needed in terms of leadership, to bring such an institution – or any other type of organization, as a matter of fact – to a higher level. Questions I ask: Tell us about your background and some of the experiences that you've had and what are the things that have led you to where you're at today?  (02:51) Tell us about the University of West Florida - we’d love to hear more about that. (09:22) How is West Florida becoming Florida’s Innovation University? (12:11) Any final tips you’d like to leave our listeners with, today? Any encouragement or any thoughts? (19:37) In this episode, you will learn: The importance of being able to accept change and to pivot quickly when needed. (06:03) How learning to lean on your team, trust them, and listen to their ideas is essential for great leadership. (08:00)  What the future of education looks like. (16:52) How UWF’s Sea3D Lab is currently helping healthcare workers. (14:59) Connect with Dr. Martha Saunders: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Blog Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing is more rewarding than leaning into a challenge and mastering yourself in it. The problem is that sometimes, the obstacles prevent us from seeing the benefits of our thoughts, and we miss out on opportunities because we’re not capable of realizing the full potential and the impact our ideas can have.    Today, we have a really fun and interesting guest, and together we will discuss how can people realize everything that they’re capable of doing and what are some of the secrets that can help us be better and do better.   Dolores Hirschmann is the Chief Clarity Officer at Masters In Clarity and is an internationally recognized strategist and coach that works with clients to clarify their idea worth sharing, design their communication strategies, and implement business growth systems. She is a writer, a TEDx organizer, and a CTI certified and ICF accredited coach. Originally from Buenos Aires, Dolores moved to the U.S. when she was 25 years old, and she speaks fluent Spanish, English, and French.  So, listen to Episode 227 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to find clarity through the darkness and confusion of difficult situations and how to sort out the parts of your life where you feel stuck.   Questions I ask: Dolores, why don’t you tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you? (02:39) How can people realize their greatest potential? (09:19) How do people start zeroing in on their strengths, in order to serve other people and leave a legacy? (10:45) If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of business advice, what would that be? (16:35) In this episode, you will learn:  What a CTI certified and ICF accredited coach means. (07:04) What Dolores does for her clients and her team in the role of Chief Clarity Officer. (08:24) How to align your outside growth with your inside growth. (12:37) What someone does as a TEDx organizer. (14:47) Connect with Dolores:  Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Page Twitter Youtube Channel Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything that we do, every action we take, every effort we make, is literally leaving to others a legacy that we may not even be aware of.  In today’s episode, Brad shares some incredible and amazing stories of the early explorers in Antarctica that through their actions made a difference that is visible even today, after 50-100 years later. And like he says, these people – we might call them leaders of their time – followed the same 12 Principles that we’re using, proving that these principles, over and over again, stand the test of time.  Brad Borkan is the author of the book, "When Your Life Depends On It: Extreme Decision Making Lessons from the Antarctic". He has a graduate degree in Decision Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania and has a fascination in how people and businesses can make better decisions. He appeared on cable TV in the US and on radio programs, and spoke to conferences about leadership, teamwork and winning against the odds. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and a member of the Society of Authors. In his book, Brad focuses on the real life-and-death decisions made by early Antarctic explorers, and reveals amazing lessons of sheer grit and determination that can help all of us make better decisions in our lives.  So, listen to Episode 226 of Becoming Your Best, to learn about brave men that even though they didn’t achieve any of their primary goals, they adapted and moved forward with what they accomplished, leaving us with a legacy that helps and inspires many.  Questions I ask: Tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you. (02:35) From your experience, what are the three biggest leadership lessons you've learned from doing the research for your book? (15:41) How can we apply the lessons learned from the Antarctic explorers to our lives today? (21:14) What's one of your favorite stories?  (23:55) Any final tips you’d like to leave our listeners with, today? (25:36) In this episode, you will learn:  How Brad’s book shares lessons that are valuable for modern-day people. (05:20) How to turn a failure into a success story. (07:05) There’s always a third option when you’re dealing with a situation. (09:35) A story about the mindset of looking for ways to move forward instead of looking to blame situations. (13:09) How the early Antarctic expeditions still lead to scientific discoveries. (30:08) Connect with Brad: Website LinkedIn Book: When Your Life Depends On It: Extreme Decision Making Lessons from the Antarctic Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us are capable of a lot more than we think, but we often sell ourselves short.One of the biggest reasons for our lack of confidence is the self-doubt that usually comes disguised as the imposter syndrome. Before we even begin to plan our next steps, a little voice screams in our head, “What would people think?” or “How long will it take for people to figure out that I’m not as good as they think?” And we freeze. We take ten steps back and lock our dreams in a box. Fortunately, we don’t have to be the best before we put ourselves out there and we don’t have to know all the answers right from the get-go. All it takes is to learn as we move forward.In today’s episode, my guest takes us on an extraordinary journey on how to doubt the doubt and dare to get out of our comfort zone. We discuss how allowing ourselves to be vulnerable is actually imperative in our life, how truly connecting with people can help us deal with the challenges we’re faced with, and the ways to build confidence in ourselves. Margie Warrell learned to build resilience, challenge the norms and embrace change through personal adversities. As an international speaker and facilitator, her focus is on helping individuals, teams and organizations build greater resilience, courage, and capacity to thrive in today’s uncertain world. Her client organizations include NASA, Salesforce, Google, Visa, Deloitte, Microsoft, and Facebook.  Margie’s work is based on the latest research in positive and behavioral psychology, leadership development, and organizational change, so listen to Episode 225 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to give yourself permission to do what you feel called to do, even though you feel uncomfortable, anxious or uncertain of the outcome.  Questions I ask: Margie, tell us about your background, including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you. (02:12) What's some of the most impressive research that you've done, that stood out for you that you've used in your book? (07:54) What have been some of the top lessons that you've learned in the middle of all the challenges and disruptions you’ve described? (11:06) In your experience, Margie, why are people hesitant to be vulnerable? (17:29) What can people do to build confidence in their ability to cope with the challenges that they're facing? (21:01) Any final tips that you'd like to leave our listeners with? (26:19) In this episode, you will learn: How her husband contracting COVID-19 has forced Margie to walk her own talk. (03:53) The reason why Margie wrote her fifth book, “You’ve Got This”. (06:11) How to overcome the self-doubt. (08:50) About a UCLA study around naming and labeling our emotions. (12:20) The importance of allowing yourself to be vulnerable. (14:42) How to choose the path of faith over fear. (24:41) Connect with Margie:  Website Live Brave Podcast Facebook Page Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Margie’s books Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a lot of pain right now in the world, and this is one of those situations we cannot control. But there are, still, some things in our power, and it’s up to us to build the right mindset and acquire the skill set to turn any challenge into a blessing or an opportunity.   If you look at Uber and Airbnb, these were born out of the last recession, in 2008. They were born because people were forced to pivot; there were new opportunities and a handful of people seized them, while others gave up and folded their cards. In today’s episode, we are going to focus on what you can do to survive and thrive from your home and we encourage you to try out every suggestion that we share, and see for yourself, the impact they can have both on your overall life and on your day-to-day state of mind. So, listen to Episode 224 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to take this challenge that we’re in, right now, and turn it into an opportunity to come out stronger on the backside of the crisis we’re facing.  In this episode, you will learn: The place where you can assess your productivity. (03:22) How to stay focused on what matters most, especially during these times. (04:06) The importance of having a vision board, and a few simple steps to create one. (09:21) How creating a bucket list can help you get clarity into your life. (11:27) How to focus on learning a new skill in the next 30 days. (13:18)  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The wise old owl lived in an oak  The more he saw, the less he spoke  The less he spoke, the more he heard  Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?" - Edward H. Richards  The purpose of listening is not just hearing words, but understanding because as you listen carefully, you are like an observant detective, noticing clues and indicators. You don't even have to ask questions - you can just notice things, words, expressions, feelings, intent, and content. Principle #7 of the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders - being an effective communicator - impacts every single role that you have in life, and today that’s exactly what we focus on: teaching you how to master the art of pure listening so that you lead a happier and peaceful life with those around you. So, start to practice it right now, by listening to Episode 223 of Becoming your Best, where we discuss one of the most challenging or difficult principles to learn and put in practice – how to be an effective communicator. As you repeatedly work on building this skill set, you will get better and better and it will be one of the most valuable skill sets that you own. In this episode, you will learn:  A vulnerable story of how I failed at being a good listener when it was needed the most. (05:45)  The two sides of being an effective communicator. (10:13) The mindset attributed to each one of the sides. (11:13) The five steps to master the art of pure listening. (15:01) The words you can use to confirm what the other person has said. (17:17) What you can do, right now, to start building the habit of listening. (20:40) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]   Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Book: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your Performance  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Survive and Thrive During Hard Times  In the midst of this crisis, I am grateful to have spring coming because it has so much symbolism! There will be a time of rebirth coming out of the Coronavirus. Just like there are things that you can do to prepare for springtime as you come out of the cold of the winter, so are some steps that you can take in order to come out of this crisis stronger and better at everything that you do. So, what are the things that you can do, during this devastating crisis, to make the best of this experience, to be determined to maintain your happiness, health, and vitality, while at the same time preparing for when we come out of this virus crisis, or when we are in a hard time in life?  In today’s episode, I would like to suggest five things that you can do to survive and thrive during difficult moments in your life. These five principles will see you through the hard times now and in the future! They will guide you through personal crises and challenges and see you through over and over. So, listen to Episode 222 of Becoming Your Best to learn the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual impact of these five things I am suggesting you to do. There is no doubt that whatever comes, whatever may be, we can find a way forward that'll work. In this episode you will learn: Focusing on your personal Vision, Annual Goals, and Pre-Week Planning creates a deep pathway of doing what matters most. (05:13) How to program your mind for success by maintaining upbeat, uplifting influences in your life. (09:20) Having faith - in our most difficult times - brings peace that things will work out. (13:27) How to serve others, in these hard times. (19:19) What you can do to be better, as a result of this experience. (24:09) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  to get your dated 2020 Becoming Your Best Planner for 50% off Book: Steve Shallenberger - Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: Norman Vincent Peale - The Power of Positive Thinking: A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“These are the times that try men's souls” and true leadership will make the difference of how we come through it. It's our opportunity to really have an impact. These events are upsetting and extremely disruptive, so how can we navigate all of this that is currently happening throughout the world? The purpose of today’s episode is to introduce - and review for those that may be familiar with it - the 6 Steps to effectively plan, create solutions and take action in the face of stiff challenges, particularly in this case now, in the face of the Coronavirus. Using the 6 Steps will provide you with hope, peace, and laser-like focus to move forward with confidence, commitment, and purpose toward realizing your dreams. This is your opportunity to shine, to make a positive difference, to exercise leadership that puts you in the best light, so that when you look back someday you’ll say, "We did good." So, listen to Episode 221 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to apply the 6 Steps to the thorniest issues that may confront you, and how to not only survive, but thrive and prosper through difficult situations, while at the same time, having a world-class process to realize your dreams.  In this episode, you will learn:  How the 6 Steps to effectively plan, create solutions and take action, came to be. (04:36) The power of shifting from the problem to the vision. (11:34) The current reality of the Coronavirus in terms of the impact it has on your organization. (12:39) The importance of identifying the real issues of the current reality. (14:25) Brainstorming the options you have to help you realize the vision. (16:35) How to implement your best options - Who will do what, when? (18:44) The significance of evaluating and debriefing your process periodically. (20:19)  An example of how you can use the 6 Steps Process in your personal life. (22:37) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 It’s a pretty tough world in which we live right now, and we could all use more kindness in our lives. By genuinely helping people, we not only improve their lives, but ours too, in the process, and we can live a much happier, more fulfilled and deeply satisfying life.   In today’s episode, I share with you a couple of stories that prove how kindness can change your world, and although it’s a short podcast, I hope you’ll find just one quick thing that can help you improve just slightly more than you are currently today in your life.  So, listen to Episode 220 of Becoming Your Best, to learn the ripple effect that kindness can create in the world.  In this episode, you will learn: Famous Dave’s secret of success – invest in yourself. (01:00) How a keynote on the power of kindness inspired me to help a homeless person. (03:03) A story on how kindness can improve the relationships with those around you. (05:41) Listening to the other person and seeking to understand their problems is one of the greatest acts of kindness. (08:57) The power of Principle #5 – Live the Golden Rule. (12:59) The pursuit of perfection helps us find excellence. (14:28) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Companies now are spending millions of dollars a month on marketing. Last year, digital spending overtook TV, radio, and print. In this fast-paced world, people prefer watching a video than reading an article or an instruction manual, so in order to keep up with your competition, you have to get creative. Video really makes it more interesting and attracts more attention. The good news is, you don’t need to have high-end production equipment – you can make really good video ads on your iPhone – but instead, it’s more important to invest in great copywriters to catch people’s eyes.     In today’s episode, I talk with Travis about the future of ad-making and where it is best to put your marketing money in, for a profitable ROI.    Travis Chambers is the founder of Chamber Media, a 30 person growth and video agency that tripled the revenue of four multi-million dollar D2C companies in the last 2 years, using quantitative creative, producing and testing modular video content and using it to scale revenue through social ad spends. He’s a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister, has been featured in Inc., Entrepreneur, and AdWeek, and has been a keynote speaker at Google Growth Summit, VidCon, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.    So, listen to Episode 219 of Becoming Your Best, to learn the tricks you can use to figure out what kind of ads you can create for your company, regardless of your inventory runway.  Questions I ask: How are companies using social video ads to grow? (06:17) What’s a good budget to sustain? (12:13) Where can you find talented writers? (16:36) Tell us, just for a moment, what does your firm provide? (17:44) What does the future hold for social video ads? Where do you see this going? (19:22) How do you approach the creative process and figure out what ads to make? (20:42) What are the social media platforms that companies should focus their attention on? (25:08) In this episode, you will learn: Travis’ background and some of the turning points that got him to where he is today. (01:46) Two examples of companies that significantly increased their revenues through video ads. (07:46) How smaller companies should approach the video ads field. (08:44) The reason why it’s more important to invest in a good writer than into production equipment. (14:40) The seven foundational ads that every account should have. (21:29) How you can combine these seven foundational ads. (23:47) Connect with Travis: Website LinkedIn Email: [email protected] Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Free template for pre-week planning Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People have forgotten how to ask questions and one of the reasons is the online culture that has been spoiling us to have things set and catered to our exact preference. Everything needs to look the way we want it to look, and therefore, if people don’t fit in that perfect cookie-cutter model that we have designed – our comfort zone – then they’re a threat. That is not true! Even if there is a universal truth out there, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t different ways of perceiving it. In today’s episode, my guest is the first legally deaf NBA player – Lance Allred. Since he retired from basketball, he became a speaker, trying to inspire people and encouraging them to achieve their goals, by following the principles of perseverance. Lance Allred is an expert on Leadership, Perseverance, and Grit. Legally deaf, at 80% hearing loss from RH complications at birth, he was born and raised in a polygamist commune until the age of 13. He is the author of four books - with the fifth, “The New Alpha Male” coming on soon – and the TEDx Star of “What is Your Polygamy?” So, listen to Episode 218 of Becoming Your Best, to learn about Lance’s background and how he ended up teaching people how to communicate – the one thing that everyone takes for granted, even though he spent 15 years in speech therapy. We also discuss the principles of perseverance and how you can apply them in your life. Questions I ask: Lance, please share a little bit of your background and how you got to where you are today, so that we can get a little more personal feel for who you are. (02:36) Let’s talk about your new book, “The New Alpha Male” and tell us what that’s about and what the intended objective of that is. (13:40) Do you have a website or a place that they can go to get that book, Lance? (30:00) In this episode, you will learn: What is cult mentality and religion, according to Lance. (03:52) The backbone of Lance’s message as a speaker. (06:36) A suggestive analogy between culture and the different types of computer software. (09:31) The question you should ask yourself, to figure out if you have integrity. (16:10) One of the mistakes most entrepreneurs do, regarding their employees. (17:20) How to let go of the victim archetype and embrace the teacher archetype. (22:01) Compassion is one of the hardest strengths. (26:56) Connect with Lance: Website LinkedIn The books Lance wrote Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lighthouse symbolizes a steady and grounded structure that guides people to safety and represents strength and hope. And if you think about it, the wonderful lighthouse doesn’t just sit there – it comes in a time of storm as well.  So how can you become the light that guides people to overcome the obstacles in their lives? In today’s episode, I am sharing with you a strategy that you can follow step by step to build yourself up, be more productive, learn and be the light that guides your family, your employees, your friends and anyone around you, to become their best and influence others in turn. Listen to Episode 217 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can master the power of the rock-solid Principles of Highly Successful Leaders and People.  In this episode, you will learn: The reasons why the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders help you become a guiding light for others (02:33) Seven things you can do, that will help you master the Principles of Becoming Your Best (06:57) Ways in which you can directly lift, inspire and build other’s lives (11:16) How you can become one of our certified trainers (16:07) About the Becoming Your Best Return on Investment Calculator – a useful tool that increases performance and productivity (16:37) The apple analogy we use in seminars, to teach people the impact they can have on everyone around them (20:53) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across the world, our collective culture is designed to make it easy for us to focus on ourselves, on our own game, and on what we can do to fill our personal buckets. While it’s extremely important to take care of ourselves, there is one thing that can help us find the true happiness that we’re all searching for.   Listen to Episode 216 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can be truly present and aware of the opportunities that are all around you. This is a life-changing episode and we suggest that you listen to it with an open mind.  In this episode, you will learn: How a book called, “The Message”, inspired me to rethink the way I look at happiness. (03:51) The spoon analogy that’s indicative of the idea of service. (07:27) A couple of stories from the book, “The Message”, that shows what one of the grand secrets to a happy life is. (08:23) How one of my friends motivated me to take action inside my local community. (13:50) The starfish approach and how you can apply Principle #5 of the 12 Principles of Highly Successful People and Leaders - Live the Golden Rule. (17:55) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected] Resources mentioned in the episode: Book - Lance Richardson: The Message   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Setting expectations is great! However, more often than not, we tend to tie our happiness to the way we imagine things SHOULD go, and feel disappointed and frustrated when they aren’t how we envisioned.  It’s time to throw away our scripts and realize that our peace and balance should not depend on the movie-type expectations we plan for ourselves and others. So, listen to Episode 215 of Becoming your Best, to learn what we mean by that and why this could lead to a more fulfilled and delightful life. In today’s episode, you will learn: About our new book, “Conquer Anxiety” and how you can pre-order it. (02:10) The difference between setting expectations and having a script. (03:56) A story on how scripts can ruin a beautiful experience. (05:42) The liberating power of throwing away the script. (09:08) Some questions for you, to figure out whether you’re tying your happiness on what someone else should be doing, from your perspective. (14:54) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Pre-order the book, “Conquer Anxiety” Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adopting and incorporating the language of those who win is essential for becoming our best and changing the results we get in our life, both personal and professional.   Those who consistently win have a certain dialect of conviction, of confidence that whatever they set out to do is going to result in victory. They figured out the power of self-mastery and they’re champions of mental toughness.   In today’s episode, Thomas Blackwell, one of our Master Trainers & International Speakers, and an expert in the language of those who win, talks about identifying and celebrating the good moments in every situation. He has some great motivational examples that are meant to prove that anyone can gain victory after victory, regardless of the outcome or the industry we’re in.   Listen to Episode 214 of Becoming Your Best to learn that you should never give up on your goals and if you always apply the power of knowledge, you can live a life by design, enjoying your wins every day.   In this episode, you will learn: The quality that separates amateurs from professionals, in any industry. (03:38) How to identify and celebrate victories, regardless of the score. (06:54) The story of Daniel Ruettiger – the star of Rudy, the #1 sports motivational movie in the world. (07:55) A real-life example of doing more doing than thinking. (13:43) Dan Gable’s winning philosophy. (16:49) What you can do to implement the language of those who win. (23:57) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Becoming Your Best Library Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you stay focused rather than setting a New Year’s resolution that just trickles away after a few weeks?  There are three keys to being productive and highly successful in your personal and professional life: writing down a vision, setting your roles and goals, and committing to constant pre-week planning. In today’s episode, we discuss each and every one of them, and we will take you, step by step, through the process of making this year the best one you’ve had so far. So, listen to Episode 213 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can use your time in a productive manner and what to focus on when setting your goals. In this episode, you will learn: The importance of writing your vision – your why to get up in the morning. (04:12) The three questions you should answer, before developing your vision. (07:18) The number of goals you should have for each role you play in your life. (11:19) How to write your goals and why the wording is decisive for the success/failure of accomplishing them. (13:03) Some examples of my goals for 2020. (14:50) How pre-week planning can make a real difference in your life. (16:58) How to do your pre-week planning. (18:32) Transactional versus transformational mindsets. (21:25)  Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20planner25” Free template for pre-week planning Email: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gratitude can be a game-changer on our motivation, our feelings, and our happiness, as we move forward to becoming our best and to make a difference both in our personal and our professional life.  Making a habit out of being grateful every day for all the things that we have can help us live in peace and balance – a trait that every highly successful person has.   We’ve dedicated an entire episode on the powerful practice of gratitude, so listen to Episode 212 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can easily improve your performance, productivity, and life altogether, by taking the time to be grateful. In this episode, you will learn: Gratitude helps you follow principle #11 of The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders and People – Live in Peace and Balance. (03:07) A great experiment to see what impact a gratitude practice can have on you. (04:20) A list of the things I am grateful for, that’s meant to be an example of how easy, yet powerful this activity is. (06:02) BYB Resources Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Get your Becoming Your Best Planner using the promo code “20 planner 25”  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How long does it take for you to schedule meetings or daily activities?  We are what we choose to spend our time on, and learning how to be more productive can give us the freedom to do what we enjoy most. On today’s episode, Tim shares with us the story of Woven - an intelligent calendar that helps busy professionals maximize the most valuable asset they have, which is time. Tim Campos is the former Chief Information Officer at Facebook. In his 6 years there, he managed to make it the most productive company in the world. Now, he is the CEO of Woven – a company working to reimage how people use their calendars, so they can spend time on what matters most to them.  So, listen to Episode 211 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can easily be more productive, by letting an app do the work for you.   Questions I ask: Tim, tell us about your background, especially including any points in your life that were transformational, that have had a big impact and maybe led to what you're doing today. (01:57) How did you end up with Facebook? (05:03) Tell us about Woven. (09:47) How do we become more productive? (14:04) I went online and looked at some of the resources that you have, and it looks like you also have some type of group scheduling tool. Did I read that right? (16:55) Let's just wrap up with any final tips of the best productivity advice that you may have, Tim. (21:38) In this episode, you will learn: The two things that are incredible about Facebook, as a company. (07:38) The reason why Tim decided to leave Facebook to start his own company. (08:39) Why a calendar alone might not be the best time-organizing tool for you. (11:05) How Woven works and how much time it can save you. (11:57) About an interesting feature of Woven that saves even more time scheduling your meetings. (14:24) How Woven can help you with repetitive events. (18:52) Connect with Tim: Woven website Twitter LinkedIn  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every beginning of a fresh year brings new challenges and opportunities. 2020 will never repeat itself, so how can you make it the best year you’ve had so far? The answer is pretty simple, and you can accomplish whatever you set your mind on, by being determined to constantly use three powerful tools: having a personal vision, setting annual goals, and doing pre-week planning. Episode 210 of Becoming Your Best is filled with amazing quotes, poems, and songs that will definitely boost your eagerness to be your best in the year that is right around the corner.  Our team wishes you a grand New Year for you and yours!  In this episode, you will learn: How you can get back up after falling. (03:21) The winner’s mindset of making things happen. (05:00) The skillset to create a new beginning and a fresh start. (05:48) The lyrics of a song that can put 2020 in perspective for you. (08:46) The power of the Principles of Becoming Your Best – they never age but can help you become your very best at any age. (11:00) How to create a deep mental path to happiness and success. (12:36) An inspiring poem by Edgar Albert Guest about the spirit of making things happen. (17:43) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Book - Becoming your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you like to have greater happiness, joy, closeness, and deep love in your marriage or partnership? In our study of 40 years, we documented the things that help people become successful leaders, and we discovered 12 Principles that are universal and produce a predictable result. The good news is that these principles work perfectly well in your personal relationships too, and in today’s episode, we are going to show how every single one of them can help you have a wonderful marriage/relationship. So, listen to Episode 209 of Becoming Your Best, to learn that you’re never too old or too young to create a happy and warm environment with your spouse/partner, by applying the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Marriages or Relationships. In this episode, you will learn: How the 12 Principles of Highly Successful People and Leaders came to life. (04:49) How to be true to character in your relationship. (06:55) The steps to create a couple’s vision. (08:23) How to build and maintain trust in your relationship. (16:38) The 5 steps of being an effective communicator with your spouse. (17:27) How you can apply the power of knowledge, with your significant other. (22:41) The things you can do to strengthen your marriage and relationship. (26:28) An example of how the 12 Principles can help save a marriage. (27:24) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Website Book - Becoming your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you truly listening to what other people say when you’re having a conversation?  Whether we don’t understand a subject because we’re not paying attention, or we misunderstand a situation because we already think we have the answer, it all comes down to one thing. In order to be efficient communicators, we first have to master the ability to listen.  A lot of people think listening is about the listener making sense of what the speaker is saying, and although that’s useful, the true conversation happens when you are helping the speaker make sense of what they mean and helping them understand what they say.   In today’s episode, Oscar and I discuss the key ingredient of being an effective communicator. He shares with us powerful techniques that we can use in our relationship with literally everyone, from our co-workers, clients, and friends, to our family, spouse or children.   Oscar Trimboli has coached, mentored and advised people in a wide range of roles, from founders, CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, CTO and a variety of other leadership roles in financial services, technology, professional services, education, and not for profits. He has been asked to speak to leadership teams and their organizations about the importance of clarity to create change, how to embrace the digital economy and the role values play in the achievement of your purpose.   So, listen to Episode 208 of Becoming Your Best, to gain a different perspective on mastering the power of being silent and deep listening.   Questions I ask: What is deep listening? (03:41) What's the difference between a good listener and a great listener? (11:00) Explain what the four villains of listening are, and what's that other side of the coin? (18:58) For someone listening to this right now, whether they're at home, whether they're in the workforce, wherever they're at, what's one thing that across the board you say, "Do this today, and it will have a big impact in your life." (26:54) For those who would like to find out more about you, Oscar, how could they find you? (29:05) In this episode, you will learn: The difference between active listening and deep listening. (04:25) Two simple but essential phrases you could ask people, in order to hear their full thoughts. (05:04)   Three tips to help you remove distractions while you’re listening. (12:13) The story of one of Oscar’s clients, that proves how learning to listen can change your life. (15:54) The difference between how men and women listen. (18:00) Why it’s easier to practice deep listening with strangers than with the closest people. (24:44)  Connect with Oscar: Website  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most amazing gifts that we’ve been given, is the power of choice. No matter the situation, we have the ability to choose how to respond and we can either take it personally and let it affect us in a negative way, or we can look at it with a positive upbeat mindset.  Think of the alternative to happiness, peace, and productivity. The alternative is misery, frustration, and lack of productivity. So what’s the answer? How do we develop the habit of shifting to only good thoughts? Today, in Episode 207 of Becoming Your Best, we answer these questions, by teaching you the Becoming Your Best REFRESH/RESET rule and how it can impact your life for the better. In this episode, you will learn: Some insights from the movie City Slickers, that teach us what’s the one thing that can make a difference in our lives. (01:44) How we choose to look at a situation influences our happiness, health, and productivity in life. (03:38) An example of how choosing to answer positively to negative situations can totally change the atmosphere in the room. (05:32) How to give your brain permission to go back and do a reset. (08:29) How to exercise the Highly Successful Principles of Leadership, in order to be healthier, happier and more productive, leaving things better than when you found them. (14:30) Becoming Your Best Resources:  Becoming Your Best Website  Becoming Your Best University  Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the birth of the Internet, a lot of things have changed in the way we handle business, and to keep our organizations on top, we have to rapidly adapt and see a few steps ahead. Disruption isn’t something you turn on and off at your convenience, and it’s very uneven, so you never know when it’s going to hit. That’s why you have to always be on the lookout for it because when it comes, there are great growth opportunities that follow. In today’s episode, Charlene shares the characteristics of disruptive organizations, the strategies they employ in order to stay ahead, and the mistakes some companies do in their journey through disruption.  Charlene Li is the founder and CEO of the Altimeter Group. She has over 20 years of experience in tech and business and has been a respected advisor to Fortune 500 companies, especially on digital transformation and leadership. Charlene is the New York Times bestseller author of six books, including “Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies” and her latest book, “The Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform, While Others Fail”. Charlene was named one of the Top 50 Leadership Innovators by Inc. and one of the most creative people in business, by Fast Company.  For the past two decades, Charlene has been helping people see the future, so listen to Episode 206 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how to become a disruptive organization in this complex business world that we live in, today.  Questions I ask: How do you create a strategy that's inspired by future customers? (08:42) Tell us what a big gulp decision is. (12:21) What are some of the characteristics that you've seen that allow a flux culture to thrive? (18:41) How do you hardwire a flux culture into your organization? (21:02) How can leaders master a new way of developing digital and social relationships for their businesses through customers and clients? (22:01) Any final tips that you would like to leave with our listeners, today, about disruption or about being successful in business or how to really have breakthrough growth? (27:27) In this episode, you will learn: One turning point in Charlene’s background that has impacted her life and got her to where she is today. (02:57) The real reason why some companies are keeping themselves from growing. (07:27)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“A funny thing about life – once you begin to take note of the things you’re grateful for, you begin to lose sight of things that you lack.” – Germany Kent Gratitude can change your life by shifting your focus on what is wrong with yourself - and the world around - to what is right, and being grateful every day for every little thing makes a huge difference in how you let the chaos of life affect you. Listen to Episode 205 of Becoming Your Best, to learn all the ways gratitude can impact your life for the better.  Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family and all those around you – may you all live in Gratitude, Peace, and Balance! In this episode, you will learn:  How to say Thank You in multiple languages. (01:56) About Principle Number 11 of Becoming your Best – How to Live in Peace and Balance. (02:44) Gratitude is a mindset, a skill set and a habit that can easily be learned. (04:20) How keeping a gratitude journal could be life-changing. (05:49) About the results of a study on gratitude. (07:18) The benefits of gratitude. (08:20) An exercise you can practice with your family or your employees. (09:09) A message from the Becoming Your Best Team. (10:50) Becoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” - Ernest Hemingway  Making mistakes is human and we all deserve second chances if we are willing to right the wrong, but sometimes people are not given the opportunity to do so. As a parent of two children who got involved with drugs and were in and out of jail, Joseph saw firsthand how incredibly broken our judicial system is, so he and his wife decided to do something about it.   On today’s episode,  we talk exactly about that - about giving second chances to people that want to go on a different and better path in their lives.  Joseph Grenny is a four-time New York Times bestselling author and a world-renowned speaker. His work, created over the past 30 years, has been translated into 28 languages and is available in 36 different countries. He’s a dynamic keynote speaker and a leading social scientist for business performance.  Joseph is the founder of The Other Side Academy – a community that helps create profound human change, that is primarily designed for people with the most broken lives - longtime criminals, drug addicts, or homeless individuals.  So, listen to Episode 204 of Becoming your Best to learn that if you dress up, show up, and work hard, you’ll find ways to improve your life, regardless of your background.  Questions I ask: If you could tell what The Other Side Academy is, and just tell us about that group - what your vision and purpose is, the impact, and how does it work? (06:51) How does somebody get into The Other Side Academy? (08:22) From your experience, Joseph, what lessons can a parent learn to help their children and family? (14:48) Were there challenges and setbacks as you got it going? (18:32) Any final tips that you'd like to leave with our listeners today? (22:15) When you have feedback to give, how can you successfully approach another person? (23:44) In this episode, you will learn: A pivotal moment in Joseph’s life. (04:25) The key element that keeps the students in the house. (09:33) Why some people are scared to take the leap and try to completely change their life. (11:09) About The Other Side Movers – one of the activities that sustain The Other Side Academy. (11:57) How The Other Side Academy started. (17:00) Joseph’s advice on what we can do to make our dreams and ideas become a reality. (19:54) Connect with Joseph: The Other Side Academy website Vital Smarts website Crucial Skills website Joseph Grenny website Joseph’s Books  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you want to look at a country’s future, look at what is going on in the classrooms, and you’ll get a great snapshot.  The education system in America is still far away from being perfect - children often don’t feel safe in schools, there’s a great gap between students coming from different environments, parents have to put a lot of effort to make sure their child receives a proper education, and the list can go on and on. In today’s episode, Teru shares her experience with the Asian education system, highlights some of the difficulties that everyone enrolled in the American system faces with, and gives us advice on what should be done to expand our educational bubble in order to align with the rest of the world.  Teru Clavel is a Comparative Education expert, and the author of the book, "World Class: One Mother's Journey Halfway Around the Globe in Search of the Best Education for Her Children." She has written columns on education for the Japan Times and the Financial Times, she's made appearances on Fareed Zakaria’s GPS, The TODAY Show, CBS's This Morning, CNBC's Squawk Box and Channel News Asia. She has also been interviewed on countless radio shows and podcasts. She spent a decade raising her family in Asia, which includes Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo. She has a BA in Asian Studies and an MS in comparative international education. After two years in Palo Alto, California, Teru has returned to live in New York City with her family. So, listen to Episode 203 of Becoming Your Best, to learn the impact that education can have on children and the importance of rethinking our American schooling system. Questions I ask: Tell us about your background, especially including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you. What has helped you come to where you are today? (03:04) What led to writing the book in the first place? (05:20) What are some of the personal challenges you faced and overcame having raised your three children in so many countries and having moved so often? (08:20) Do you talk in your book about the role of parents? (17:19) What is, from your perspective, Teru, the single most important thing parents and teachers can take away from your book, "World Class"? (25:00) Any final tips you'd like to leave our listeners with, today? (26:23)  In this episode, you will learn: Teru’s life in Hong Kong and the education her children received there. (08:51) Teru’s experience of living in an ex-communist tenement in Shanghai. (10:14) The impact that the international education has had on her children’s view of the world. (15:33) The reasons why Teru calls the US - “The Great American Swiss Cheese”. (18:56) The importance of teaching our current and next generations about globalization and global competence. (21:00) Connect with Teru: Website Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To really drive change as a leader, you have to think through it strategically. Learning how to communicate data is a critical skill that you need to add to your tool belt because you wind up moving from an individual contributor to a trusted advisor, and becoming a trusted advisor is like the gateway drug to becoming a leader.  In today’s episode, Nancy shares with us some great insight into what great leaders and successful brand companies use to communicate their data to a broad audience. We discuss how you can create a three-act-story structure, what a STAR moment is, and the meaning of what she calls, “The New Bliss.” Nancy Duarte is the founder of Duarte Inc. - the largest creative firm in Silicon Valley, and one of the top women-owned businesses in the area. Duarte Inc. is a global leader behind some of the most influential visual messages in business and culture, and they work with 200 of the Fortune 500 companies. Nancy is a communication expert, who has been featured in Forbes, Wired, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and CNN. She has also been a contributor to the Harvard Business Review. As a persuasion expert, she cracked the code for effectively incorporating story patterns into business communication. She's written five best-selling books and she's won a number of awards for that. On the list of the Top 250 Women in Leadership, Nancy ranked 67th, and on the World's Top 30 Communication Professionals for 2017, she was ranked number one! So, listen to Episode 202 of Becoming Your Best, to learn how you can create your own story, in order to become a high-performing leader.  Questions I ask: Tell us about your background, Nancy, especially including any turning points in your life that have had a significant impact on you, and maybe even ultimately led to where you're at today. (03:32) What are the services that you provide to your customers? (07:20) How do you define a story in relation to communicating data? (09:48) What are some really great storytelling techniques that help people create this crescendo and just blow people away? (16:58) What are some ways that award-winning brands communicate data? (19:13) What final tips could you leave with our listeners, that you think would be most important for them? (23:05) In this episode, you will learn: The meaning of the hedgehog concept. (04:40) The three-act-story structure (10:43) Nancy’s advice on how to tell your story right and describe your product correctly. (14:23) How to create a STAR moment – Something They’ll Always Remember. (17:27)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hard work has always been rewarding for those who keep going and don’t quit if success seems far away. All the powerful and influential people have gone through years of grinding and working 70-80 hours a week, in order to follow their dreams and get to where they are now. Jimmy knows the value of sacrifice and hard work, and he has managed to form great relationships, to get incredible mentors, and to invest in himself and in his network of people. Now he enjoys life knowing that the Universe is working in his favor.  In today’s episode, I talk with Jimmy about how to rise on the top of your game and how to be in the top 1% that live their life to the fullest. Jimmy Rex is most known for his career in real estate, where he has sold over 2000 properties and has solidified himself as one of the top real estate agents in the country. Because of his success, Jimmy went on to build his real estate coaching company, which currently coaches hundreds of real estate agents from all across the country. Outside of real estate, Jimmy created one of the top business podcasts, “The Jimmy Rex Show” and he released his first book this year. He loves to travel and his favorite types of trips are when he gets to go undercover as part of a select group, helping to find and rescue children all over the world. So, listen to Episode 201 of Becoming Your Best, to get some incredible golden nuggets that are so predictable of success in any one of our lives. Questions I ask: What's done it for you, and what's made such a difference in your life? (03:13) Can you mention what the title of your book is and what the real intent of it is? (19:30) What's the current state of the real estate market from your perspective? (21:15) How do you live an extraordinary life? (24:46) In this episode you will learn: The pitfalls of social media. (07:23) The evolution of Jimmy’s mindset. (10:57) Jimmy’s mission statement. (26:11) How the Universe is conspiring in your favor. (27:43) Connect with Jimmy: Website Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Page Twitter Youtube Channel Podcast Book: The Next Wave of Influence in Real Estate: The Best Marketing, Sales, and Industry Secrets Shared by the Top Millennial Real Estate Agents in the Country  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For four years, we’ve been doing this podcast, with the intent to bring value and add value to your life, whether it’s your relationships, your finances or your business. Now, as we’ve reached the 200th episode, we want to give you exciting news – what we think is one of the most significant movements we’ve done with Becoming Your Best – and, at the same time, we want to ask you to do something that will benefit the youth all over the world!  So, listen to Episode 200 of Becoming Your Best, to find out what we’ve been working on, particularly, in the last six months, and why we are confident that it will help change the world to a better place!  In this episode, you will learn: Our big announcement that will change possibly millions of lives. (02:31) What we’ve managed to accomplish through the Lead With Light Foundation. (03:16) How you can help us in our mission. (04:54) Resources Becoming Your Best Website Becoming Your Best University  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Setting an example for those around you is really the power of influence. By having your life built on the foundation of correct timeless principles that produce high-performance outcomes, happiness, joy and strong relationships, you set a powerful example that radiates out, and the immediate people that it hits are those around you.Through your example, you create a culture that defines your strategic direction, your vision, your core values, and your goals and when you’re aligned from top to bottom, you are like a laser in terms of being the best at what you do and making a positive difference in the community and the world we live in.So, listen to Episode 199 of Becoming Your Best, to find out what you can do, to be an example of living solid principles that influence the people, culture, strategy and ultimately the marketplace in the world.In this episode, you will learn:How you can become a source of influence. (01:04)The real purpose of becoming an influential person. (02:32)How using the 12 Principles of Highly Successful People and Leaders can help you set an example for others to become their best version. (03:08)An example of the outcome and impact of living upon high-performance principles and habits. (09:01)Becoming Your Best Resources:WebsiteBecoming Your Best University Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you happy with where you are right now financially? Are you happy with your relationships? Are you happy with your health? Are you happy with the direction in your life? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then what needs to change? On today’s episode, we are talking about the legacy that each one of us leaves behind, and how we can turn it into something great and memorable, starting today! It’s important to self - evaluate constantly, guiding yourself by the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders because they have proved, time and again, to be powerful and eternal. Once we have a clear vision, we're resolute in our character, and we come back to that over and over again, we have a plan, we prioritize our time, we treat people right, and we start working towards these things, it's amazing what will materialize in our relationships, in our finances, in our health, in the way we feel about our direction – it all will improve across the board. So, listen to Episode 198 of Becoming Your Best, where you will hear examples of principles and their impact on people’s lives.  In this episode, you will learn:  Why it’s helpful to read the book, Becoming Your Best – The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders, once a year. (03:31) How to evaluate yourself according to the “Be True to Character” Principle. (06:20) A different way to look at the “Lead with a Vision” Principle. (07:06) Why listening is one area that most of us need to improve, according to the “Be an Effective Communicator” Principle. (09:24) The strong correlation to reading and success. (12:49) Resources: Becoming Your Best website Becoming Your Best University Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.