Do This First (Daily Motivational Podcast)

Sept 23, 2024. It is officially 99 days till the end of the year. How are your goals coming along? Well, how are they shaping up? The key is to focus on progress. Just think that you have over three months to make an impact. At the very least, you’ll be closer than you were last year, if you take positive steps forward.The life we are living is a result of decisions we’ve made. If you want to move to the next level or improve in certain areas then you have to make better decisions. It really is that simple. So, with that being said, today, we are continuing with prioritization, which is part of our overarching year end series Finish Strong.This podcast episode is dedicated to an incredibly effective and impactful way to finish strong this year, Ruthless Prioritization..

Sept 22, 2024. It is 100 days till the end of the year. How are your goals coming along so far?  I’m not going to let you fail. We have 100 days to advance in our goals before the end of the year. At the very least, you’ll be closer than you were last year, if you take the actionable steps The decisions we make are reflected in our lives, and encompass our career, relationship, home, finances, priorities, values, faith, health and so many more things. That is why it is important to optimize our prioritization as it will fuel our decision making process and in turn shape our lives. Effective decision-making and prioritization are critical skills in personal and professional life. I today's podcast episode, we'll compare and contrast two widely recognized tools that can help us and our respective organizations move our goals forward.Pareto ChartsEisenhower Matrix

Sept 21, 2024. It is 101 days till the end of the year. How are your goals coming along so far?  I’m not going to let you fail. We have over 100 days to advance in our goals before the end of the year. At the very least, you’ll be closer than you were last year, if you take the actionable steps outlined throughout our podcast now 267 days in and 101 more days to go.Today we are continuing with prioritization, which is part of our overarching year end series Finish Strong..  In this episode, we are highlighting Prioritization as it is used in Product Management. Tech companies especially, use this model to roll out high impact products that will make our lives better. The same methodology customized for personal, and professional development can help us move closer to our goals..

This podcast episode was posted on Sept 20, 2024. It is 102 days till the end of the year. Today we are continuing with prioritization, which is part of our overarching year end series Finish Strong..  Today, we are taking a closer look at how current and past billionaires prioritize. A short disclaimer, as some people may be great at certain things and we can recognize that,  however it does not mean that I’m endorsing the total person, and their group of actions in other areas of their personal and professional life. With that being said, let’s begin.Have you heard of the 5:00AM Club? I’m not a member, but Benjamin Franklin,  Arnold Schwartzenegger, Apple CEO Tim Cook,  Jeff Bezos, and former Microsoft CEO Steve Baulmer are. They prioritize their time by waking up around 5, and or before 6:00 AM. Bezos, Baulmer, and Cook are on Forbes 2024 Billionaire’s list. Why do they get up so early while the rest of the world is sleeping?

It is 103 days Or 3 months, 12 days till  the end of the year. How are your goals coming along? What this  also means is there are 103 podcast episodes left in this podcast for 2024. With that in mind, I’m starting a countdown to 2025, to help us all finish 2024 strong, and light up 2025.One of the wisest ways to finish the year strong, and kick off next year with style is through proper prioritization. Some confuse prioritizing with time management, which we spoke about in podcast episode 17. Check it out, if you get the chance.  While prioritization and time management are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent distinct approaches to handling goals. Prioritization refers to the process of determining what is  important and urgent in order to allocate resources properly such as your money, time, focus, people, and so forth. You are evaluating what you must do first based on a set of benchmarks such as deadlines, significance, potential impact, and alignment with goals. Let's take a closer look..On the other hand, planning how to segment your time between different activities is time management.  Again, podcast episode #17 can provide more insights.The primary focus of prioritization is on

Everyone at one time or another has questioned the point of life. Philosophy is centered around those questions. Our 12 part series explored many of those questions and shared actionable insights from some of the greatest of all time. From Descartes to Solomon, we learned that our belief system, pausing to think, and synthesize information, and guiding our actions through reason and knowledge can help us avoid failings that often have far reaching consequences as in the life of Abelard, Bacon and Solomon.In this podcast episode, we'll explore the best ways to leverage philosophy, and the life lessons learned throughout he series..

The wisest man who ever lived, many would say, was King Solomon. A Philosopher King of sorts, is widely known for his wisdom as evidenced through the biblical books he authored Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and The Song of Solomon.Born as the son of King David, Solomon was chosen by God to succeed his father as the ruler of Israel. Throughout his reign, he displayed a remarkable ability to make wise decisions earning him his reputation. Solomon had a deep understanding of the human condition and his belief in the importance of humility and self-awareness. As a king, Solomon was known for his successful leadership. From his texts, we glean valuable insights on life explored in this podcast episode. Despite his impactful flaws, his wisdom allowed him to understand, in the end what truly mattered in life from a faith perspective..Resources for this podcast episode are linked in the text of the corresponding blog

Alan Alexander Milne, known to the world as A.A. Milne, was a celebrated British author, playwright, and poet, best remembered for his beloved children's books featuring the character Winnie-the-Pooh.The onset of World War I marked a significant turning point in Milne’s life. He served as an officer in the British Army, actively participating in trench warfare. The trauma of war had a lasting impact on him, shaping his perspectives and leading him to explore themes of childhood innocence and imagination in his later works. Milne's life was marked with disappointment..In his characters we find the embodiment of many of the principles personal development is centered on including empathy, kindness, and gratitude. Eeyore, and Winnie specifically show us through their actions and words, the true meaning of life..

Peter Abelard, a prominent medieval philosopher, theologian, and many say the preeminent logician of the medieval times. He was born in 1079 in Le Pallet, near Nantes, France. His early life was characterized by a strong desire for knowledge, leading him to study at various institutions, including the University of Paris like Rene Descartes and Thomas Aquinas. By the age of twenty, Abelard had established himself as an influential teacher and was known for his innovative approach to logic and philosophy. Despite his academic prowess, Abelard’s life was not without controversy as he challenged societal norms in his professional and personal life.Some of his decisions had disastrous consequences on everyone involved. Abelard's work and life are a powerful testament to intellectual freedom, but also the importance of consistently applying ethical principles to our decision making process.

Francis Bacon, an eminent philosopher of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, is often heralded as the father of empiricism and a precursor to modern scientific thought. First some background info on the noted philosopher. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was a significant figure in the development of modern philosophy and scientific methodology. He is often regarded as the father of empiricism and the scientific method due to his advocacy for the systematic collection of data and inductive reasoning.. Unfortunately, Bacon's life was not without devastating controversy that brought into question his character. However, his work and legacy have withstood the test of time. At the heart of Bacon’s philosophy lies the belief that knowledge is not a mere accumulation of facts but an understanding of the natural world gained through experience and observation. This empirical approach emphasizes a proactive stance toward learning. In personal development, this translates to the idea of "learning by doing." Let's take a closer look..

Gabriel Marcel was a prominent French philosopher, playwright, and musicologist, often associated with existentialism, though he offered a distinct perspective that diverged from that of Jean-Paul Sartre and other existentialists. Marcel's thinking was characterized by a strong emphasis on human existence, personal experience, and the relational aspect of being..For Marcel, hope was not merely a wishful feeling but a commitment to being present in the world alongside others, united in understanding.Gabriel Marcel thoughts offer valuable insights on how we can grow and develop meaningfully. In this podcast episode, we'll unpack six key aspects of Marcel's philosophy related to "being" and personal development:

Thomas Aquinas, one of the most prominent philosophers and theologians of the medieval period, was born in the year 1225 in the castle of Roccasecca, Italy. He belonged to a noble family; his father, Landulf of Aquino, was a Count and his mother, Theodora, hailed from a prominent family. From an early age, Thomas displayed remarkable intelligence, leading his family to send him to study at the University of Naples. There, he was exposed to a breadth of knowledge that would later influence his philosophical and theological work. At the age of 19, Aquinas joined the Order of Saint Dominic, which was met with resistance from his family. In this podcast episode, we'll unpack the valuable personal development juggernauts Aquinas bestows, and the steps we can take to be our best selves yet..

Theodicy: Valuable Life Lessons from G.W. Leibniz's TextGottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s Theodicy, written in 1710, stands as a philosophical exploration addressing the problem of evil in a world created by a benevolent and omnipotent God.  Leibniz tackled one of the most enduring questions in human thought: Why do evil and suffering exist if an all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful deity has created the world? At the heart of Leibniz’s Theodicy is the proposition that our world, with all its imperfections, is "the best of all possible worlds." This assertion articulates that any world would have its own mix of pleasures and pains, and the existence of evil allows for the manifestation of greater goods.

René Descartes, often referred to as the father of modern philosophy, is a figure whose contributions have significantly shaped Western thought. Born in France in 1596, Descartes bridged the gap between the medieval scholastic thought and the modern scientific methodology. His emphasis on reason as the primary source of knowledge led to transformative developments across multiple disciplines, including philosophy, mathematics, and natural sciences.His philosophical approach advocates rigorous skepticism, suggesting that one should doubt everything that is not certain. By systematically doubting all prior beliefs and knowledge, Descartes sought to arrive at foundational truths that could not be questioned. This methodological skepticism laid the groundwork for empiricism and rationalism, influencing philosophers such as John Locke and one of my faves Immanuel Kant.. In this podcast episode, we'll unpack several personal development lessons from The Founder of Modern Philosophy.

Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher. He is best known for his contributions to science and his penetrating philosophical insights. His works, particularly “Pensées” (Thoughts), encapsulate a wide range of ideas that reflect on humanity, faith, and reason. Blaise asserted that it was best to believe as if there is a God because its benefits outweigh the risk of disbelief. Pascal, who was a noted mathematician, was one of a few from his era that integrated faith with reason which often leads to deeper self-awareness. Pascal also highlighted the existential questions at the core of human existence such as the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe while simultaneously affirming the importance of individual experience. In this podcast episode, we'll take a deeper dive into Pascal's assertion from a personal development perspective. We'll also unpack the importance of philosophical inquiry as we move forward with decisions and in life.

François-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name Voltaire, was one of the most prominent figures of the Enlightenment, a movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of tradition. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Voltaire's life spanned the tumultuous periods of the early 18th century, a time characterized by social upheaval, political transformation, and the dawn of modernity. A prolific writer, philosopher, and critic, Voltaire's works covered various genres, including poetry, historical writings, essays, and plays. However, he is probably best known for his free speech advocacy, and his masterful works in satire. He openly opposed the establishment and was kicked out of his home country for three years. He continued to have brushes with the law including imprisonment for his biting satire. In Voltaire's legacy we find life lessons on what we should do and not do as he was a walking contradiction in some ways and a bulwark of speech in others.

A giant in the Enlightenment Era, Immanuel Kant,shaped to some extent, philosophy, ethics, and epistemology during that time in history.. Born in 1724, Kant’s intellectual endeavors laid the groundwork for modern philosophy, influencing a broad spectrum of disciplines, including ethics, metaphysics, and political theory. For context, The Enlightenment era, spanning from the late 17th to the 18th century, was characterized an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, particularly in the realms of politics, science, and philosophy. Key figures such as Kant, and Voltaire, who we’ll talk about tomorrow along w/ Rousseau, and Locke advocated for ideals like liberty, and the pursuit of knowledge, significantly influencing modern democratic thought and scientific inquiry. Today, We're looking at Kant's Categorical Imperative through a personal development perspective. We'll explore several ways in applying this moral principle to our decision making process and life.

Today, we're looking at the story of Nektarios, from o trouble childhood to being ostracized from his peers. Understandably, these unfortunate and often perilous events cause him deep unfathomable physical and emotional pain. However, Nektarios finds a way through remarkable growth, adaptability and purpose.He leans in on hope and transcends the banality of his situation into a testament to the strength of the human spirit in times of trials. Nektarios unwavering faith becomes a guiding force, showcasing how spirituality can lead to greater self-awareness and purpose. As Nektarios faces persecution, the film depicts his internal struggles and ultimate acceptance of his identity, and mission in life..

Today’s featured movie is the 2015 film "The Revenant," based on the true story of frontiersman Hugh Glass. The movie explores themes of survival, revenge, and the never ending conflict between man and nature. Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the 1820s wilderness, The film opens with a striking sequence that sets the tone for the brutal reality of Glass’s world.Amidst the grit and chaos of survival, the film offers stirring dream sequences that reflect Glass’s emotional battles. These moments, where Glass interacts with visions of his deceased wife and son, provide depth to his character and serve as emotional anchors within the narrative.At its core, it is a multilayered portrait of grief, showcasing how loss can serve as both a motivating force and a debilitating weight..The betrayal of his compadres in the unforgiving savage forest spurs a series of events that move the film forward. In this podcast episode, we'll unlock the science behind the themes in the movie of Betrayal, Loss and ultimately redemption..

Do you know 10 year old Auggie Pullman?  He is the protagonist of the inspiring 2017 movie Wonder.  Auggie has Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that mostly affects a person’s facial features and ears. The movie takes us on Auggie’s journey towards acceptance. At its core, the film is about being true to yourself. Embracing the vision you have for yourself, not someone else's dream of you..The film "Wonder, is about accepting what makes us unique, and changing our perspective from fitting in or suppressing our differences to leveraging our unique characteristics, and traits as a strength or advantage. In this podcast episode, we'll look at the science behind transforming perceived flaws or failings into super powers. We'll also see how one person can effect change in others by remaining steadfast in their commitment. We also see as witnessed in the movie, it is never too late to do the right thing..

"Conviction" tells the true story of Betty Anne Waters, who dedicates her life to exonerating her wrongfully imprisoned brother, Kenny. There is an old adage that states luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and we see this in the movie..Betty Anne’s unwavering commitment to her brother's cause showcases the essence of advocacy. Her journey illustrates how we can lead to social change, marking an important lesson in personal development.In the face of adversity, the film illustrates how tenacity can ultimately lead to success. Betty Anne's unwavering belief in her brother's innocence propels her forward, serving as a testament to the idea that resilience in the face of hardship can yield drastically positive outcomes. Her journey inspires viewers to believe that genuine effort and unwavering determination can lead to justice, no matter how daunting the path may seem..In this podcast episode, we unpack the science behind many of Walters' actions and the inspiring legacy of hope that grit, determination and knowledge can bestow on those that persevere till the end..The Innocence Project

Released in 1994, "Legends of the Fall," is a sweeping epic that chronicles the life of the fictional Ludlow family during the early 20th century and through multiple decades encompassing World War I, prohibition, and so forth. There are several life lessons and themes in the movie like the power of choice, the dichotomy of love, the definition of masculinity, and honor. However, today I’d like to contrast the relationship between fate and free will as it is a central theme that shapes the characters' lives and their relationships. What we are really talking about is more philosophical and is centered on how we understand the world and our place in it.. On the scientific one particularly famous study conducted by Benjamin Libet in the 1980s found that brain activity precedes conscious decision-making, suggesting that our choices may be predetermined by neurological processes beyond our conscious awareness. But that’s just one theory.While some researchers argue that our decisions are largely shaped by external factors such as genetics and environment, others maintain that we still have control over our choices. What do you believe?

The Lord of the Rings, our featured movie, as won an unprecedented 11 Oscars, the most for a Fantasy film and tied with Titanic, and Ben-Hur for the most Oscars overall.. The quest in the Lord of The Rings is to save middle earth from a powerful and destructive ring. The One Ring, a powerful and malevolent artifact threatens to bring about the end of Middle-earth. The mission is impossibly dangerous, but hope drives the characters to keep trying.It is hope that sustains the characters through the darkest of times and allows them to triumph over evil. In The Lord of the Rings, hope is not just a fleeting emotion or a mere wish, but a powerful force that shapes the characters' decisions, relationships, and ultimately, the outcome of the story. In this podcast episode, we'll take a closer look at how even doing the right thing can sometimes mark a person's life, and how hope can inspire and move the world forward.

Today’s featured movie "The Notebook" is a powerful testament to true love and the consequences of choices.Through the lens of the relationship between the film's two main characters, Allie and Noah, we are presented on how just one decision can alter the course of a person's life. Consequential thinking, often referred to as "thinking ahead," plays a central role in the narrative of "The Notebook."As the film progresses, we witness the consequences of bad decisions, and how they shape not only the life of the decision maker, but everyone involved. The decisions we make, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can have far-reaching effects that we may not fully comprehend until it is too late. This theme is illustrated throughout the movie, and there is science that supports making sound decisions by weighing outcomes before actions. We'll talk about that today..

Today’s featured movie is "The Bucket List". The film follows Carter Chambers, a family man and mechanic, and Edward Cole, a wealthy and successful businessman, who is financially successful, powerful, but lacks the things that truly matter in life .The two men are terminally ill and meet while sharing a hospital room. As they come to terms with their limited time left on Earth, they create a list of things they want to do before they "kick the bucket", hence the title of the film. One of the central themes of the movie is the concept of mortality and the idea of living life to the fullest. Living life to its fullest means different things to each of them just like in life.One of the clear takeaways from the movie is to define happiness on your own terms. Make sure you define happiness for yourself as societal pressures can impel you to prioritize experiences that aren’t important to you, but are to your peer group.. Each person's unique values, goals, and life experiences shape their understanding of and path to happiness, and that is okay.. While happiness is  subjective and personal, research identifies common factors which we'll share in this podcast episode..

On The Waterfront: Terry Malloy, played by Brando, is a former boxer who now works on the docks. His boxing career was derailed primarily due to the actions of his older brother, Charley Malloy, who worked for the corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly. Charley convinced Terry to deliberately lose a crucial boxing match by throwing the fight. This act, orchestrated by the mobsters controlling the union at Friendly's behest, ensured a financial gain for them through bets placed on Terry's opponent.Here we see the main theme of the movie start to unfold. Terry did not stand up for what was right or for himself for that matter. Terry’s brother Charley was the big brother and used Terry for his own personal gain. He didn’t care that he was going to ruin Terry's career. His primary concern was delivering for The Union Boss Johnny Friendly.This is a very important lesson to learn that sometimes the people you love the most or the people closest to you, can undermine your best efforts. Terry Malloy's journey from a complicit dockworker to a courageous whistleblower is a lesson in redemption and personal integrity. His journey towards redemption begins with small yet crucial moments of self-reflection.The film is a literal treasure trove of life lessons. We'll unpack several of the golden nuggets of wisdom found On The Waterfront including reclaiming integrity, walking away from what doesn't serve you, moral alignment, ethical fortitude, transformation, and redemption..

Today, we're kicking off our new 10 part podcast series, The Greatest Inspirational Movies Of All Time w/ on e of my personal faves BraveHeart. Set against a backdrop of betrayal, and war, the film is a powerful depiction of one man's fight for freedom and justice. William Wallace witnesses the brutality of English rule firsthand after the death of his wife at the hands of English soldiers. Enraged by this injustice, Wallace begins a campaign to unite the Scottish clans and fight against the tyrannical King Edward I of England.There are several takeaways from a personal development perspective. Wallace's moral clarity was undeniable as was his clouded judgment and thirst for revenge. His story is one of unfathomable courage, and conviction. He lived a life of meaning, and purpose, and we can too..

For the past 9 episodes, we’ve leaned in on the benefits of reflection. It’s a simple, and straightforward personal development tool, but incredibly powerful. Just a few minutes a day can boost your mental clarity, and help curb emotional knee jerk responses.  As we talked about yesterday, the effectiveness of reflection centers around ruthless self honesty. The temptation to gloss over our shortcomings is irresistable, but does not serve us in this process. A tool you can use to help you be more objective and honest about your shortcomings and assets is widely recognized for assessing individual strengths and weaknesses in both personal and professional development.I'm talking about the personal SWOT Analysis.While traditional SWOT is used for organizations, individuals can adapt it for personal use to assess personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth, and potential threats (e.g., procrastination, external challenges). In this podcast episode, we'll look at a variety of tools that can help you get to the next level in your personal and professional development, and help you stay on track, engaged, and focused.

Reflecting on our experiences is a crucial part of personal and professional development. Analysis and evaluation play a key role in this reflective process, as they allow us to critically examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to gain a deeper understanding.The analysis can be jarring as it has a tendency of revealing aspects of ourselves that we disassociate with or want to explain away. The analysis process uncovers the root causes of our actions and emotions, and provides valuable insights into how we can improve our future behavior..In this podcast episode, we're focusing on the analysis and evaluation aspect of effective reflection. We unpack two biases that can impact the process, and the one thing that can derail your best efforts..

Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is a timeless masterpiece that is heralded for its beauty and complexity. Composed in the early 18th century, this musical work is divided into four individual concertos, each representing a different season of the year. Vivaldi's ability to evoke the essence of each season through his music is truly remarkable, and listening to "The Four Seasons" can be a deeply reflective experience.Antonio Vivaldi, was a Baroque composer best known for "The Four Seasons,"  Vivaldi was actually ordained as a priest in 1703 but ceased to actively serve in this role shortly thereafter. There are different accounts and theories as to why he stopped..Later in his life, Vivaldi faced financial difficulties. Despite his significant contributions to music and previous success, he struggled with money problems, which led him to sell many of his priceless manuscripts..In today's podcast episode, we'll focus on the Autumn Movement of Vivaldi's quintessential work. By contemplating the themes of birth, growth, loss, and rebirth that are present in each concerto, we can gain insight into our own journey through life and the inevitability of change...I'll also share Autumn's second movement at the end of the podcast as it is truly a captivating masterpiece peaceful and perfect for reflection..

Claude Monet, one of the most celebrated figures in the history of art, was a leading French painter in the Impressionist movement. His greatest influence was Artist Eugène Boudin , who introduced Monet to outdoor (plein air) painting, an approach that would become fundamental to his style.Monet, generally speaking, is considered the founding father of impressionism. The movement was a decisive departure from Realism, which focused on precise detail. Impressionism focused on the effects of light and atmosphere in the natural world. A key step in painting impressionistic art is to observe.In this podcast episode, we are gleaning lessons from Monet's masterpiece series Water Lilies. In his breathtaking depictions of the water lilies through various stages, atmospheric conditions, and seasons, we come to understand the art of transformation in art, nature, and ourselves..

Autumn-A Time For Reflection #6For the past five episodes, we’ve been focusing on Reflecting.It is a necessary activity for clarity and our overall health, yet it is so underrated.  Many overlook or undervalue the benefits of setting aside a little time everyday to help stay centered, calm, for renewal, for mental and physical power.  Consider the mighty bear...

Autumn-A Time For Reflection #5Today, we’re talking about the differences between Reflection and pondering. They are similar, but not quite the same thing.. Reflection involves serious thought or consideration, often about one's own actions, experiences, and beliefs. It is a deliberate and structured process of thinking back on something in order to gain insights and understanding. The outcome of reflection is often a greater understanding of a particular experience and the derivation of deeper meaning from it. It can lead to personal growth, improved practices, and better decision-making.In this podcast episode, we'll take a kook at the nuanced difference of these powerful introspection tools and learn how to leverage each for positive, yet impactful and long-lasting results.

Autumn-A time For Reflection #4Pausing is much more than just a momentary stop; it's a scientifically backed method to enhance cognitive function, emotional well-being, physical health, social interactions, and productivity. By incorporating deliberate pauses into daily routines, we can reap numerous benefits that contribute to overall health and performance.In this podcast episode, we'll take a closer look at nature's Autumn cycle of renewal and transformation through E. Brady's poem Leaves. We learn that letting go, and pressing pause helps us move forward more informed and decisively. At the end of this episode, we'll have information concerning the science behind pausing and the testament of nature's pauses that open the doors for renewal, transformation and inner peace..---------------------------------------------------------------------LeavesHow silently they tumble downAnd come to rest upon the groundTo lay a carpet, rich and rare,Beneath the trees without a care,Content to sleep, their work well done,Colors gleaming in the sun.At other times, they wildly flyUntil they nearly reach the sky.Twisting, turning through the airTill all the trees stand stark and bare.Exhausted, drop to earth belowTo wait, like children, for the snow

Autumn-A Time For Reflection #3Today we’re talking about learning from other people’s mistakes as the Autumn season is a good time to reassess, strategize and set up for the coming year. Let’s start with a quote from probably one of the most successful investors still walking planet earth, and a personal favorite Warren Buffett. The quote is as follows: "It's good to learn from your mistakes. It's better to learn from other people's mistakes." Observing, and adjusting according to what we see and the effects or outcomes of what we see is one of the smartest ways of moving forward with your career, love and our overall life. The observation based strategy works with almost everything, and keeps you consistently at the top of your game. Taking time to reflect during the upcoming fall season on other people’s mistakes and the lessons you can glean is a great way forward. In this podcast episode, we'll unpack how to stay on top of your game, and highly effective ways of learning from other people's mistakes

Yesterday, we touched on the transitions that happen during Autumn and how the themes of reflection and renewal are linked to the changes we see in nature during the fall.. Reflection, however,  can mean many things...Reflection when done correctly can help us recognize destructive thought processes, actions and overall behaviors that need to be addressed and in some cases eliminated. Reflection provides a way forward by learning not only from past actions, and flawed assumptions, but also learning from other people’s mistakes, and successes..I was watching a movie the other day that highlights the solution oriented mindset of the reflective thinking process. Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time, but we can, like the character think about how we can learn from our past and apply that new found knowledge to our decision making process.In this podcast episode, we'll take a closer look at the science behind rumination in contrast to reflection. We'll also take a look at a British movie that highlights the positive outcomes of solution minded reflection...

Autumn is a time of transition and change literally and symbolically. In this podcast series, Autumn-A Time For Reflection, we’ll explore the many meanings of fall from a personal development perspective always seeking confirmation through science mostly. I say mostly because, we do have to leave some room for wonder and the unexplainable. As Science can’t explain everything just yet.. The following poem from Carl Sanburg eloquently highlights the reality of impermanence and the hope for tomorrow captured in the fall season.Autumn Movement (1918)I cried over beautiful things knowing no beautiful thing lasts.The field of cornflower yellow is a scarf at the neck of the copper sunburned woman, The mother of the year, the taker of seeds.The northwest wind comes and the yellow is torn full of holes, New beautiful things come in the first spit of snow On the northwest wind, and the old things goNot one lasts. In the poem, there is sadness over the impermanence of everything, but there is also hopefulness as new beautiful things come. That’s one of the most positive ways of looking at any type of loss. It is making a way for something else. One jarring experience I personally had that folds into this was back in 2020..

The Romantic era highlighted the importance of nature, childhood or innocence, and negative capability. Negative capability centers around not having to explain every detail logically. In Romantic era poetry, some things can be mystical and without explanation.Several notable saying that are part of pop culture came from the romantic era such as:How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese or popularly known as Sonnet 43.I wandered lonely as a cloud.William WordsworthA thing of beauty is a joy forever.  - John Keats, Endymion important lesson from the Romantic Era is embracing our emotions. Romantic poets were sometimes over the top with the expressions of love, loss, and longing. However, understanding and respecting our emotions can help us make better decisions.The science of decision-making has evolved significantly, revealing the connection or interdependence between emotions, cognition, and behavior. Emotion regulation plays a crucial role in making better decisions.In this podcast episode, we'll highlight the insightful life lessons gleaned from the Romantic Era Pots, unpack scientific research on effective decision making, and we'll learn to embrace our true selves..

Alfred Lord Tennyson is widely recognized as a significant literary figure in English literature. His poetry provided an important transition from Romantic era stanzas to early Victorian poetry. The iconic line "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all",is found in his magnum opus In Memoriam A.H.H. The experience of love, even when followed by loss, can lead to personal growth, increased resilience, and a deeper understanding of life's complexities. Therefore, from a psychological and emotional health perspective, there is support for the idea that the benefits of experiencing love outweigh the pain of its loss in many cases.In this podcast episode, we'll explore Tennyson's influence and impact, as well as the merits of his iconic line as a strategy to effectively manage loss.

The Third Generation of Romantic poets, following the more prominent First Generation (such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge) and the Second Generation (including Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats), consists of poets who maintained and developed the Romantic tradition into the mid-19th century likeGeorge Darley, who we spoke about in our last installment as well as the tragic Thomas Beddoes and others.However, consistently it is The Brownings that are often mentioned among the very best third generation Romantic Era Poets.and victorian era scribes. It is fair to say that The Brownings along with Lord Tennyson, who we’ll highlight tomorrow were the bridge or transition from Romantic era to Victorian era.Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning were two of the most renowned poets of all time. They were known for their passionate love as well as their prolific bodies of work. Their love story is one for the ages...

The Third Wave Romantic era poets, a group of writers who emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were a powerhouse of creativity and innovation in the realm of literature. Building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors in the Romantic movement, these poets brought a new level of introspection, emotional intensity, and intricate lyricism to their works. George Darley was an Irish Romantic poet, critic, and essayist who lived in London in the early 19th century. Born in 1795, Darley was highly intelligent and imaginative, and his work has been lauded for its emotional beauty, and creative expressions.  He wasn't without his failings..Today, we're taking a look at one of Darley's darkest poems. The Fiend explores themes of emotional duality and escapism. Several lessons on the complexity and inevitability of loss, sorrow and pain are presented for further scrutiny in the deeply angst ridden piece. In the end, we walk away with a sense of the peril of clutching to memories that no longer serve us..

The second wave of Romantic Era Poets brought a hyper focus on individuality and emotions regardless of personal cost. Keats represented the finer, yet overly sensitive pieces that impelled reflection, and beauty. Byron, on the other hand was defiant, uncompromising and bold. One of the key differences between Keats and Byron lies in their personal background, experiences, and how they chose to live their lives .In this podcast episode, we compare and contrast the styles and lives of two titans in the Romantic Era of poetry. One bestows lessons of how to manage life's uncertainties, and the other shows us how perilous pursuits can cost us everything.

William Blake, the renaissance man of the Romantic era. He was an artist, an engineer and a poet, a man with many interests. Born in London in 1757, he attended art school as a teenager and later apprenticed as an engraver, developing a unique style that combined intricate illustrations with poetic texts.Like many of his Romantic era peers, Blake's works were often themed with emotional authenticity, conflict and the gift of wonder, and philosophical musings. "Songs of Innocence and Experience," was one of Blake’s most notable works, and it is our featured collection today. Childhood innocence and the realities of the world meet at a critical intersection in life. Blake has an uncanny ability to focus on the complex emotional nuances that underpin adulting.Through these poems, Blake presents a contrast between the purity and simplicity of childhood and the perceived corruption of adulthood. While many of the poems in Songs of Innocence may seem lighthearted and simple on the surface, they contain complex layers of meaning and symbolism that we'll explore today..

Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the iconic, and polarizing figures of the Romantic period in English literature, is renowned for his visionary poetry and radical ideas. His early years were marked by a passion for literature and a defining defiant demeanor that in some respects was admirable and in others was ill advised. He found some respite and refuge in his writing from a young age.His life was marked with scandal and controversy leading to a decline in status and wealth. His wife Mary became an author of note as the creator of Frankenstein. Despite, Percy Shelley's lapse of judgement and challenges, he remained a tireless advocate for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the rights of the oppressed, and he used his platform as a poet to challenge the injustices of his time. In this podcast episode, we'll take a closer look at the themes of power in Shelley's Ozymandias poem from a scientific, philosophical and history-focused perspective, and the valuable lessons the text offers.--------------------------------------------------------------------Ozymandias I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal Wreck, boundless and bareThe lone and level sands stretch far away.

Robert Burns is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets to have ever lived. Born in 1759 in Alloway, Scotland, Burns is considered the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated for his lyrical poetry and poignant observations on life, love, and nature. Burns had a unique ability to convey complex feelings and ideas in a simple and accessible way, making his poetry relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to his poetry, Burns was also an accomplished songwriter and musician. He composed hundreds of songs, many of which are still popular today. His songs often touch on themes of love, nature, and social justice, reflecting his own personal beliefs and experiences.Despite his fame and success as a poet, Burns faced many challenges and hardships throughout his life which infused his works with emotional authenticity that still resonates today. In this podcast episode, we'll take a closer look at Burns' unabashed defiance of societal normative and his gregarious passion for the emotive transparency of the written word...

1798 to 1837 marks the Romantic Era. Writers were inspired by the French Revolution. People were populating the newly formed industrial cities for jobs and moving away from rural life and agrarian societies.The Romantic era in poetry was a time of impactful change in literature and art. This era was marked by a sense of longing for a lost past, a fascination with the supernatural, and a celebration of the imagination as we experienced yesterday with William Wordsworth. One of the defining features of Romantic poetry was its focus on individuality and subjectivity. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who we briefly mentioned in our first installment, was a leading Romantic Era Poet along with Wordsworth. He emphasized the importance of the individual experience, a unique perspectives for the time. Today, we'll explore Coleridge's quips, musings, and his incredible canon of work despite a near crippling opium addiction.. His life holds several poignant lessons that we all can learn from.

William Wordsworth, one of the most influential and iconic poets of the Romantic era, was born on April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England. He is often credited with launching the Romantic movement in English literature with his groundbreaking works that celebrated the beauty of nature and the power of the human imagination. Throughout his life, Wordsworth remained committed to his belief in the power of nature and the imagination to uplift and inspire humanity. He believed that nature held the key to spiritual enlightenment and that by immersing oneself in the beauty of the natural world, one could achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the universe-----------------------------------------------------------------------Featured Poem:I Wandered Lonely as a CloudBY WILLIAM WORDSWORTHI wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.The waves beside them danced; but theyOut-did the sparkling waves in glee:A poet could not but be gay,In such a jocund company:I gazed—and gazed—but little thoughtWhat wealth the show to me had brought:For oft, when on my couch I lieIn vacant or in pensive mood,They flash upon that inward eyeWhich is the bliss of solitude;And then my heart with pleasure fills,And dances with the daffodils.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Autumn" is probably one of his most beautiful pieces. It uses descriptive language to paint a picture of the nuances of Autumn. The poem, in essence, is about transformation, and emotional depth. He calls Autumn a beautiful spirit as it is essentially imbuing everything it touches with new life.Longfellow reflects on the passage of time as Autumn is also closely associated with transitions. It reminds us that life keeps moving forward as it is perpetual motion. Nature knows this and reminds us in every season to take inventory of our lives. Autumn is an especially great time to reflect on what is stagnant and how we can get to the next level. On this podcast episode, we explore the personal development themes in Longfellow's Autumn with a focus on moving forward with goals and living...

Today, we're taking a closer look at Light of Stars. It's one of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's early poems. The piece explores the theme of suffering, strength and the indomitable will. Empirical research supports some of the assertions Longfellow highlights in the poem. We'll share some of the findings as well as unpack a potential reason why some humans are more resilient than others.Longfellow encourages us to embrace fearlessness and stay the course as in our pathos we'll eventually discover the sublime. There are several variables that can make an impactful difference in our lives during stressful times. In the end of this podcast episode, we'll discover that the tough times can make us better.-----------------------------------------------------------------------The Light of StarsThe night is come, but not too soon;  And sinking silently,All silently, the little moon  Drops down behind the sky.There is no light in earth or heaven  But the cold light of stars;And the first watch of night is given  To the red planet Mars. Is it the tender star of love?  The star of love and dreams?O no! from that blue tent above,  A hero's armor gleams. And earnest thoughts within me rise,  When I behold afar,Suspended in the evening skies,  The shield of that red star. O star of strength! I see thee stand  And smile upon my pain;Thou beckonest with thy mailèd hand,  And I am strong again. Within my breast there is no light  But the cold light of stars;I give the first watch of the night  To the red planet Mars. The star of the unconquered will,  He rises in my breast,Serene, and resolute, and still,  And calm, and self-possessed. And thou, too, whosoe'er thou art,  That readest this brief psalm,As one by one thy hopes depart,  Be resolute and calm. O fear not in a world like this,  And thou shalt know erelong,Know how sublime a thing it is  To suffer and be strong.

Longfellow's final poems highlight his musings on a well lived life. They also provide notable lessons that impart pearls of wisdom from one of the greatest poets of all time. In this podcast episode, we focus our lens on Loss And Gain, a poem included in his posthumously published collection In The Harbor published in 1882.In this brief, but impactful piece, Longfellow teaches us the importance of failing well. The Poet reveals the thrill of taking risks and moving forward. Today, we'll take a closer look through the lens of recent research findings on why missteps can actually work for your favor when leveraged correctly.