Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

The profound themes of destiny, instinctual guidance, and the transformative power of gaining enlightening perspectives come under McKay’s learned scrutiny in today’s episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast. Emphasizing the significance of recognizing one's true potential and purpose, he urges listeners to be curious, to listen, to follow their instincts, and to do so with  faith, as they undertake their quest to discover and fulfill their own destinies.Through his trademark captivating stories and poignant examples, McKay paints a vivid picture of how following instincts can unlock the most productive and satisfying paths in life, while highlighting the importance of seeking diverse perspectives for personal growth and transformation. As the episode unfolds, he shares the rich symbolism of the Stone of Destiny, the enthralling story of the British monarchy, the intricate interplay between destiny and individual life paths, and the power of both instincts and faith. He also goes on to recount such inspiring stories as those of The Other Side Academy, King George, Katherine Johnson, and Oprah Winfrey. In the end, our thoughtful and thought provoking host encourages us all to seek insightful perspectives, trust our inner compass, and embark on the journey to unlock our hidden destinies.Episode Highlights:Destiny shaping the British monarchySymbolism of the Stone of DestinyGuiding instinctsStories of inspiring journeysUnlocking destinies through new perspectivesEmbracing gifts and talentsExploring destiny's transformative opportunitiesThe power of instincts and faithQuotes:"Your instincts are the treasure map of your soul's satisfaction.""Following our instincts unlocks our most productive, satisfying lives.""Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.”"Your gifts are diverse and given to you for your benefit and suited to your needs.""Seek different perspectives, for it is through new insights that we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.""Destiny is not found in the mundane routine of life; it is discovered in the pursuit of curiosity and the openness to new experiences.""Embrace your gifts and let them guide you towards your purpose, for within them lies the path to your destiny.""If you really embrace that you have a destiny and the concept that life is a treasure map and you're on the hunt for your destiny, just like a treasure hunter hunts for a treasure, you will take a gamble, listen more, and see the potential miracle in things that come your way.""The foundation stone of your destiny sits on your faith. Destiny is spelled F-A-I-T-H.""Everything wasn't known, the road wasn't perfectly clear, and at some point, they had to trust themselves and God.""Embrace the fact that you have an instinct for a reason. And that reason is that you're meant to become more like your maker and rise to fulfill the part you play in this amazing experience we call life.""Seek your purpose, embrace it, and as you do, a greater sense of self and adventure will enter your life."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

This week, McKay shines his spotlight on the theme of patience and waiting, emphasizing the profound importance of cultivating patience as a skill that can unlock the immense potential within each individual. Throughout the episode, he highlights the far-reaching positive impact that patience can have on various aspects of life, while also offering some examples that demonstrate the dire consequences of succumbing to impatience.Delving into the profound significance of patience, particularly in a world that thrives on instant gratification, our host reveals the immense power that lies within our waiting periods, and how seizing these moments can lead to extraordinary outcomes. The many hidden treasures of patience and waiting are on full display here today as McKay inspires listeners to embrace the art of waiting with open arms and discover the incredible possibilities that await.Episode Highlights:The value of recognizing one's potential and purpose, and striving for improvementThe consequences of impatience and the negative outcomes it can lead toThe many benefits of patienceThe significance of waiting in various aspects of lifeUsing waiting periods for productive actions and personal growthPractical examples of making the most of waiting timesWaiting engaged and parentingMaking waiting time valuable for growth and building strong foundationsQuotes:"In the big things and little things of life, it's what you do while you wait that matters.""Patience is strongly correlated with per capita income, meaning patient people earn more money.""Whatever the outcomes of patience, the ability to wait patiently is a skill that can benefit you and me.""There's a difference between parents who just wait and parents who wait engaged.""Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31"Patience isn't waiting; it's how you behave while you're waiting. Do all you can in the gaps in your day. Make your waiting the best ever.""Time is one of God's best tools to help you win in life. Lean into waiting with faith in Him, and watch as you rise to walk, run, and travel your best life.""Have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself." - Saint Francis de SalesLinks:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay is back this week for another inspiring episode as he explores the compelling theme of taking back control in our lives. Guiding the audience through the maze of personal agency, our host skillfully intertwines research and observations with some truly awe-inspiring stories to illuminate the significance of maintaining a sense of control and also provide practical strategies to regain it in the face of adversity.Along the way, McKay unveils the captivating world of aircraft carriers, painting a vivid picture of their colossal presence as symbols of control. Citing research findings as well as the incredible stories of Admiral Jim Stockdale and Viktor Frankl, he showcases the stark contrast between individuals with high and low senses of control, and encourages listeners to prioritize mental peace and embrace grace and resilience when faced with adversity. This powerful episode concludes with McKay reminding listeners of their inherent power to choose their responses and beckoning them to unlock the transformative potential of taking control in their lives.Episode Highlights:The concept of sense of control and its impact on mental healthVictor Frankl's experiences and observations on maintaining control in extreme circumstancesThe freedom to choose our responses and practical strategies for regaining controlThe significance of taking back control in our livesThe Stockdale Paradox and Admiral Jim Stockdale's resilienceReflecting on past choices and realizing the power to change future outcomesThe impact of choices on personal growth and unexpected opportunitiesUnderstanding who we are, what we want, and what truly mattersThe significance of pausing, choosing, and embracing the space between stimulus and responseFacing the brutal facts and rising to become our true selvesQuotes:"Sense of control refers to an individual's belief in their ability to influence the outcomes of events in their lives.""Between stimulus and response, man has the freedom to choose.""Step back, pause, and choose your response to regain control.""Why disturb your mental peace for something that doesn't really matter or isn't even worth the trouble?""You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end, which you can never afford to lose, with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.""Every good choice we make lets us say, 'I'm going to do my best and let the rest take care of itself.' It gives us control.’""When you make up your mind, you can do remarkable things. But it is the making up of the mind that is the challenge.""You don't have to do everything, but you can do something good today. So choose that good thing and watch how you will rise to take back control and be who you know you can and should be."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In today’s episode, McKay delves into the formidable quality of courage and its significant impact on our lives. Drawing upon the inspiring story of Helen Young Hayes as a springboard, he explores the invaluable lessons we can learn from her experiences and encourages us to tap into our own reservoirs of courage so we can begin living a life of limitless possibilities.Mckay navigates pivotal themes surrounding courage such as its origins, its transformative power in the face of adversity, and some practical ways to cultivate and strengthen our own courage. He demonstrates that, by embracing challenges, taking calculated risks, and fearlessly pursuing our dreams, we can all be empowered to unlock our full potential and lead lives filled with purpose and growth. Join McKay on this inspiring journey here today as he shares profound insights and actionable strategies that will allow you to harness the power of courage and embark on a life of extraordinary possibilities.Episode Highlights:The challenges that Helen Young Hayes has faced in her life and how she has courageously responded to themThe impact of courage on personal growth, resilience, and finding a higher purpose in lifeThe role of psychological factors and values in fostering courageUnderstanding the worst-case scenario as a tool for building couragePractical steps to cultivate courage in our livesUnderstanding the role of courage in overcoming uncertainty and taking actionChallenging negative thinking patterns and focusing on the positiveEmbracing vulnerability and acknowledging self-doubt as a path to growthCultivating courage in difficult conversations and decision-makingRecognizing the impact of courage on personal and team successOvercoming obstacles and pursuing goals through acts of courageQuotes:"Courage is the ability to act in the face of fear and especially difficulty. It is the willingness to take risks and face the work needed, even when the outcome is uncertain or potentially dangerous.""Courage is essential for growth, and few things in life that are worthwhile and remarkable happen without courage.""To muster courage is to bring together your bravery, to assess your path forward, and display that you will do what you set out to do.""Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the willingness to act despite fear.""The worst-case scenario is often not as catastrophic as we imagine, and realizing this can give us the courage to take the necessary steps forward.""By identifying our fears, we reduce their power over us.""Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.""Courage is about facing our mistakes, priorities, or inconvenience.""Your courage can have a ripple effect on those around you."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Open Your Eyes this week as McKay takes us all on an inspiring exploration of the rising tide in our lives and the transformative power of faith. With vivid storytelling and profound insights, he presents examples and perspectives that empower us all to harness these rising tides in our own lives and break free from the currents that hold us back.Illustrating the unstoppable nature of tides as a metaphor for the forces that ensure our upward trajectory, McKay encourages listeners to view them as a source of inspiration and empowerment. Additionally, he emphasizes the power of love and belief in overcoming even the most daunting obstacles. Ultimately, McKay invites all listeners here today to embrace the rising tides in their own lives, find strength in faith, and navigate the currents with unwavering determination, knowing that they have the capacity to transform their journeys and reach their goals. Episode Highlights:The stories of Natalia Molchanova and Audrey MestreDylan's gripping tale of survival, swept away by powerful currents and saved by unwavering faith and loveThe significance of ocean currents and tides in shaping the underwater landscapeThe inspiring journey of Heather Brown and Tyler SmithMiraculous encounter between Heather, Tyler, and Eric Wagner in a moment of prayerFaith prevailing in adversity, providing strength through life's stormsThe impact of faith in navigating challenges, as exemplified by McKay's father and Dorothy Fletcher's experiencesQuotes:"Faith is the power to continue even when you can't see the end outcome.""There is a tide in life that can lift us despite the storms or the winds.""We glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience worketh hope.""Faith is a rising tide that lifts you in life.""Don't ever doubt that things have been ordered and prepared for you.""When there's hope in the future, there is power in the present."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Today, McKay explores the pressing issue of anxiety, employing a masterful blend of personal anecdotes, thought-provoking statistics, and the inspiring story of Emma Stone to unveil the awe-inspiring power of purpose in conquering anxiety and unearthing greatness from within.Amidst this exploration, our host uncovers a fundamental element crucial for understanding and navigating the complex emotion that is anxiety: clarity of purpose. By defining our aspirations and intentions in life, we not only gain a sense of direction but also attract the necessary resources to transform our dreams into reality. Furthermore, purpose serves as a psychological anchor, granting stability amidst the tumultuous waves of life and shielding us from the clutches of anxiety. McKay’s message today is clear: embrace your purpose, release your worries, and unlock your true potential, so you can pave your way from the chaos of great messes to the brilliance of greatness that lies within each of us. Episode Highlights:The rising crisis of anxiety among teenage girls and adultsEmma Stone's inspiring journeyThe power of purposeDefined purpose's impactTransformative effects of purpose on young peopleThe importance of purpose in organizational success, employee satisfaction, and reducing workplace anxiety.The impact of purpose on worriesStories showcasing the power of inspiration, resilience, and determinationQuotes:"You are bigger than your worries. You are bigger than the stress and anxiety that may come your way from time to time.""When you have a purpose, you can set aside your worries.""Purpose is a forward-looking directionality and intention to do something in the world.""A sense of purpose gives us psychological homeostasis, allowing us to stay stable and avoid anxiety.""If the world is having its way with you, then perhaps it's time to open your eyes and put on a new mindset.""Don't let the worries of tomorrow use up the strength of today.""The inspired path is paved with less worries.""Purpose helps you focus your energy on the good things you're doing today rather than the worries of tomorrow.""Become a model for your children and team in turning a mess into greatness."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay examines the explores the opportunity to begin again in life and business. Citing a number of examples, including Coca Cola’s infamous launch of "New Coke" in the 1980s, he illustrates how failure is not the end, but rather an opportunity to learn and regroup. As McKay notes, beginning again each and every day is an essential component in life - a true gift from God, allowing us to continually wash away the past and start anew. Throughout the episode, McKay explores this idea of beginning again from various angles, and argues that failure is not something to be avoided but rather a natural and necessary part of growth. He also highlights the importance of resilience and not giving up in the face of setbacks, sharing the inspiring story of Lauren, who lost her hand in a plane propeller accident, to demonstrate how starting over can be a difficult but necessary step towards growth and finding a greater purpose. Mistakes are not failures, but rather lessons to be learned, so follow our host’s sage advice here today and begin to trust in the possibility of a new beginning so you can pursue a better version of yourself.Episode Highlights:Famous artists’ struggles with self-doubt and discouragementSuccess as a series of nonfatal mistakesPractical tips for beginning againThe role of sleep in regenerating our bodies and minds for a fresh startDefining mistakes as opportunities to learnThe story of “New Coke”The importance of resilience and not giving up in the face of setbacksQuotes:"Success is a series of nonfatal mistakes, and masterpieces are created in days of showing up discouraged.""Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you've been through, it's never too late to begin again.""You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.""In pursuit of your life's purpose, it's expected that you begin again over and over.""Don't worry, it's not too late. You can begin again.""Sometimes a failure is exactly what you need to confirm your direction and begin again.""There are no failures, only lessons to be learned.""As the great author said, ‘The essence of man is imperfection.’ And I would say the essence of learning and becoming who you're supposed to become is learning from and embracing imperfection.""Don't listen to the lies that tell you it's too impossible or too hard to start again. You can."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

This week, McKay brings to life the topics of leadership and influence. He begins with the story of Oscar Hammerstein, illustrating the power of genuine influence.  Real influence is gained through understanding others’ perspectives and being patient in their attempts to improve. It also grows with the proper use of inspiration, humor, and creativity in our relationships.McKay also shares principles of influence from researchers like Chaldini.  He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, empathy, and understanding. By mastering these, individuals can gain more influence with others in their lives and become more effective leaders. He argues that being an excellent listener, providing great follow-up, being helpful and service-oriented, and having knowledge about one's product also increases influence. Filled with ample leadership and influence skills himself, McKay provides practical insights and tools here today that can help us all become more effective leaders and parents. Episode Highlights:Influence as a critical trait for effective leadershipGenuine collaboration and understanding others' perspectives Inspiration, humor, and creativityGenuine empathy and understandingExcellence and knowledge about one's productSimple explanations and the contrast principleReciprocation and social influenceThe role of feedback, repetition, and consistency in establishing positive habits and beliefsQuotes:"Influence is the key talent of a true leader.""The best influencers of our day are the most genuine.""The most important thing is to be genuine, to be empathetic, to understand others' perspectives.""Excellence is attractive.""Remember, a confused mind says ‘No’, so make things as simple as possible.""When you feel in debt to a person, you're more apt to be influenced by them.""There's something about seeing others using the product... that ignites interest and curiosity and creates influence.""The pursuit of competence or improvement had a dopaminergic effect. Feedback was essential to their motivation."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Welcome to today’s episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast where McKay shines his spotlight on navigating the peaks and valleys that we all experience. Noting that life can throw unexpected challenges our way, McKay examines how these challenges can affect our perspective and offers insight into how to navigate them with a positive outlook. By exploring the experiences of people from different walks of life, McKay provides a diverse range of perspectives on resilience, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. In addition to sharing their stories, McKay also highlights the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and finding the hidden good in difficult times. Throughout the episode, McKay emphasizes the importance of being able to learn from our experiences and use the pain and discomfort of the valleys in our lives to propel us towards growth and change. His main message here today is yet another powerful one: by embracing reality and stepping out of our comfort zone, we can prosper through both peaks and valleys and ultimately become the best versions of ourselves.Episode Highlights:Peaks and valleys in lifeStories of people who have faced challenging situationsThe importance of perspective in both peaks and valleysOvercoming challenging situationsFinding the hidden good in difficult timesThe importance of resilience and determination in overcoming adversityThe power of choice in shaping our response to difficult situationsAllowing yourself grace in navigating challenging timesLeaving a peak too soon and staying in a valley too longSteps to follow in the valleysTraps to avoidEmbracing reality, stepping out of your comfort zone, and bringing about the needed change in your lifePreparing to handle the next peaks or valleys betterQuotes:"It's natural for everyone everywhere to have peaks and valleys in work and business and life.""You can change your valley into a peak when you find and use the good that is hidden in the bad times in the valley.""Sometimes we get moved about in ways we don't want. And the outcome of these ups and downs in life always aren't easy and are disruptive.""Conversely, the view at life's peaks are just as warped. At peaks in life, we think the market will always grow, our business will always be strong and the sun will always shine.""You don't have to be perfect or have all the answers. You just have to choose to keep going.""At the peaks in our business or life, what we learn and do can keep us from the valleys in our life.""You see, if you're in a valley right now and feeling some pain, then it might be a great time to ask what you are to learn and how you can step out of your comfort zone.""A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing grows there.""There is power in seeing things as they really are. It's called reality.""Whether you're at a peak or a valley in your life or business, they don't last. And what we learn in our peaks and valleys prepares us to handle the next peaks or valleys better."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

The power of one word and how it can change your life is the overriding theme of today's episode. As McKay asserts, we can all get stuck in negative thought patterns in our lives, but by finding one word or thing upon which to focus, we can change our perspective and move forward. Throughout the episode, he recounts several examples of how this practice has helped individuals improve their lives.The stories of Steve Young, Michaela Schifrin, Bob Mankoff, and an infirm man at Bethesda all  combine to demonstrate how committing to a single word or phrase can provide direction, focus, and motivation during challenging times. As you will hear today, whether it’s thriving in your role, overcoming self-doubt and anxiety, implementing the power of persistence and self-discovery, or rising above excuses and taking action towards your goals, finding your one word can truly make a formidable difference in your life.Episode Highlights:The practice of focusing on one word or one thingHow it can ignite an amazing sense of purpose and energyWhat you should do with your one wordAssimilating your resolution to become a part of youSome stories that illustrate the power of focusing on one word or thingHaving a sense of direction, focus, and motivation during challenging timesPersisting and learning from our failuresHolding onto excuses and remaining stuckAccepting help and making changesQuotes:"It's easy in life to get a bit off track.""The practice of focusing on one word or one thing isn't new. But new or not, it has power to bring a fresh sense of feeling and purpose to your life.""Whatever it is, you can see how a word can change your life.""What one thing could you do that by doing it well, everything else would be easier or unnecessary?""But when you find your one thing, your one word or two words... it has a magnetic-like pull to help you get your mind straight and your spirit lit to who you can be.""The point is this: it was the one word 'funny' and the realization that he was truly funny that turned Bob to do what was necessary to learn, to discover, and to grow and become one of the greatest cartoonists of our day.""We're all a bit infirm and need God's and each other's help to step away from our excuses.""Your best days are not behind you, but in front of you, if you can lock onto what you need to learn in this season of your life.""Use these next few days and weeks to find your one word that can help you rise."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this week’s episode, McKay explores the road that lays ahead of you in your life. He begins this exploration by sharing two stories from Tom Watson's experiences at the Masters Tournament which highlight the importance of embracing both the highs and lows in life. These stories serve as powerful reminders for us to reflect on our own journey, to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead with grace and resilience, and to stay committed and focused on our goals, regardless of the obstacles that may come our way.The podcast episode also discusses the topic of failure and how to handle it. By focusing on the road ahead and fixing our vision on our end goal, we can learn to see failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. It's important to have a clear understanding of where we're headed, as this helps us navigate our journey with purpose and intention. Difficult roads may lead to beautiful destinations, and by persevering through the challenges, we become the person we are destined to be. Join McKay here today and you will be inspired to approach life with a growth mindset and to embrace the journey, no matter what it brings.Episode Highlights:Tom Watson's stories and their significanceEmbracing both the highs and lows of life with grace and resilienceThe importance of commitments and promises in our livesThe power of love and supportFailure as an opportunity to learn and growFocusing on the road aheadHaving a clear end goal in mindDifficult roads and beautiful destinationsThe importance of not giving upLearning how to react to future mistakesDefining yourself and your mistakesQuotes:"Life is full of highs and lows, and we need to learn to navigate both with grace and resilience.""Tom Watson's stories remind us that life is full of surprises and opportunities, and we need to be ready to seize the moment.""Commitments and promises are powerful drivers of our actions and choices, even in the face of adversity.""Love and support from our family and friends can help us overcome the toughest challenges in life.""The road ahead in life may be uncertain, but we can choose to embrace it with courage and determination.""Failure can be good. It's fertilizer.""Looking ahead is a huge help in life.""We each have the ability to make meaning from our actions and the actions of our children.""It is a simple fact that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.""Your difficult road will help you rise and you will find the strength to travel the road and make a better you along the way."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay’s focus today is on the power of discovering what lies within ourselves, and he begins by introducing the story of Aaron Sorkin. Armed with a passion for drama and theater from an early age, it wasn't until Aaron dared to fail that he found success. His story serves as a testament to the power of daring to fail and discovering what lies within us.McKay also shares the stories of Eric and Laura, individuals who both faced adversity and overcame it to find success. Their stories, along with Sorkin’s, inspire us all to embrace our own journeys and discover our potential. They also teach us that, to find what lies within us, we must be resilient, determined, and willing to let go of what we cannot do, while remembering who we are and where we came from. Mckay’s words of wisdom here today, combined with these powerful narratives, empower us all to discover the very best that lies within us.Episode Highlights:Open Your Eyes’ two-year anniversary Aaron Sorkin's storyHow the best that lies within us can lead to remarkable successEric and Laura’s stories of overcoming adversity and finding success Embracing our journeys and discovering our potentialThe power of resilience and determinationLetting go of what we cannot doRemembering who we are and where we came fromDiscovering the best that lies within youQuotes:"The best that lies within you is waiting to be discovered.”"Success is not the absence of failure; it's the persistence through failure.""Daring to fail is not about wanting to fail. It's about recognizing that failure is a possibility, and deciding to take the risk anyway.""Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place.""The most important thing to do is to get started, even if it's a small step.""The things I cannot do, I will let go. But the things I can do, I will learn to do well.""She continued to write, and she became a successful author, living out her passion for writing about horses and racing.""To find what lies within you, you may need to remember who you are and where you came from."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Today, McKay explores the power of an “I Got This” belief in your life. McKay then recounts the inspiring story of Amy Bockerstette, a golfer with Down syndrome who defied the odds and became the first person with the condition to play in the Arizona high school state championship and go on to golf on the PGA tour as a sponsor guest. Amy uses an “I Got This” approach to her life. Throughout the episode, McKay uses examples of how you can develop your own “I Got This” approach to work, overcoming habits and life. Essential to this mindset is the power of surrounding yourself with people who empower your core belief, treating opportunities as a privilege, and the empowering strength of taking action. In essence, today’s episode highlights the power of mindset, work and action in empowering yourself and your team.  He emphasizes the importance of taking action, even when it is difficult, and believing that “you’ve got this” so you can move closer to your goals.Episode Highlights:Self-belief as a crucial factor in achieving our goalsAmy Bockerstette's storyThe statistics around the chances of making it to the professional level in sportsThe difference that encouragement and uplifting messages can makeCultivating self-belief through positive self-talk and affirmationsBelieving in ourselves and putting in the workThe story of the Thompson tripletsTreating things as opportunities rather than requirements Taking action, even when it is difficultThe different impact of action and inactionThe impact of a team understanding and feeling what they're fighting forMoving closer or further away from who you're meant to beQuotes:"Self-belief is the foundation for achieving greatness in any area of our lives.""Amy Bockerstette's story reminds us that anything is possible if we believe in ourselves.""Sponsors' exemptions are a testament to the power of self-belief and the willingness to seize opportunities.""Encouragement and uplifting messages can make a world of difference to someone who is struggling with self-doubt.""Self-belief is not just a mindset, it's a way of life that can lead to success in all areas.""Few things at my age are more important than one - surrounding myself with good people who influence me for good, and two - being the type of person who can lift others by my goodness or work ethic.""The contagious effect that they had on each other gave them the needed power to do the work to win.""He who has a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how’.""Inaction breeds doubt, complacency, fear. Action feeds your faith."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

This week, McKay looks at just what it means to be inspirable and reflects upon the different ways in which people react to life experiences. Today’s episode begins with an exploration of how inflation happens both in the economy and inside ourselves. Being inflatable or “lit up” from the inside is a skill we can develop.  It’s the skill of being inspirable. Using his Business Strategy class as a metaphor for life, our host emphasizes the importance of focusing on the important things and not getting distracted by the unimportant. He shares some stories, including that of Steven Spielberg's film Hook, which highlights the importance of imagination and family in life. He encourages us all to see our lives as an adventure, to be inspired to rise to new heights, to step out of our comfort zones, and to try new things to learn and grow. As you listen in to McKay’s wise words today, you will undoubtedly find yourself empowered to take action to find inspiration and to face life's challenges with both courage and faith.Episode Highlights:How we, in large part, cause inflation ourselvesThe impact of avian flu on the egg industryThe significant cost of bringing eggs to the store shelfWhy some students are enriched, while others remain indifferentFocusing on the important things in lifeSteven Spielberg's film HookBeing inspired to rise to new heights and see your lives as an adventureRuth’s story of summiting the peak of Cucamonga Peak What she learned from her experienceThe keys and fuel for being inspirableQuotes:"Now, I don't know if you're like me, but when I wander into the grocery store to shop nowadays, I'm shocked at the price of food.""The largest percentage of the cost of bringing an egg to the store shelf is animal feed.""What makes for enriching and inflating experiences in life? What can we do to let good things lift us more?""We can be so caught up in doing the unimportant that when the important comes along, we can't open our eyes and recognize that it's of extreme value.""I think a lot of people today are losing their imagination because they're so self-involved with work and success and arriving at the next plateau that children and family almost become incidental.""To anyone out there who's facing a difficult situation and suffering from physical pain or inner scars, there is real help and comfort found in Jesus.""Sometimes the tough things God gives us are meant to inspire us, to allow us to become something more than we've been.""In the challenge, you could learn something that will bless your life for years to come.""Whatever you and I are going through, we can be inspired more easily when we actively read, listen, and seek to learn."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Finding Your True WorthIn today’s 100th episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay focuses on the theme of finding your true worth, beginning with the inspiring story of Bruce Willis. A famous and gifted actor, Willis’ success came after overcoming the challenge of childhood stuttering and finding his voice through humor, which eventually helped him discover his passion for acting. Highlighting the themes of speech development, the power of humor, the importance of self-discovery, and how these all culminated in Willis's breakthrough role in the television series  Moonlighting, McKay notes that Bruce’s story offers lessons that we can all learn about overcoming obstacles and finding our true calling.Our host also goes on to use the lesson of the potter and the clay to explore the molding and shaping of our lives. He draws from Scripture to emphasize that we are all works of God's hand and must learn and grow from our challenges, failures, and difficult life experiences to become who we are meant to be. The story of the Hereford cows further reinforces the theme of finding purpose in the difficult experiences of life by encouraging us to face life's storms with confidence and resilience. Ultimately, today’s very special milestone episode reminds us all to recognize our worth, and to embrace and grow from our challenges in order to fulfill our potential and make a positive contribution in the world.Episode Highlights:Bruce Willis’ journey to becoming a famous and successful actorThe molding and shaping of our livesGrowing from our challenges, failures, and difficult life experiences Becoming who we are meant to beOur worth and contribution to the worldThe story of the Hereford cowsEnhancing the lives of those around us and making the world a better placeGain knowledge from afflictions and trialsThe great peace to be found in understanding that our lives are being shaped for a purposeQuotes:"Perhaps there's someone, maybe you, who needs what we'll talk about, and I hope it gives you some hope.""Somehow, when he acted, he didn't stutter.""Bruce found his true worth by enrolling in drama school and working with a speech therapist.""Success doesn't come easy, but when you find your true calling, it's all worth it.""There is great peace when you believe that there is purpose in the molding and shaping of your life.""Likewise, you and I sometimes need a bit of regrinding to help us become who we're supposed to become.""And here's the thing - when we experience challenges, there are opposing forces telling us to quit, to give into discouragement, to feel insignificant.""Don't give in to discouragement. Keep trying every day. Keep your faith. God will have his way with you.""Just face life's storms."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In today’s episode, McKay shines a spotlight on the concept of being a bucket filler and how listeners can live their lives with more intention and kindness. The inspiration for the episode is rooted in a poignant story from paramedic Jamie Erickson's life, and throughout the episode, our host discusses the concept of filling others' buckets with positivity to make them feel valued and appreciated. The episode also explores different themes that relate to the concept of bucket filling, such as the Platinum Rule, emotional bank accounts, social connection, empathy, perspective, and grief. McKay emphasizes the importance of being authentic and finding ways to fill others' buckets with things that are important to them, rather than what the filler might like. His words here today will inspire listeners to become more intentional about making a positive impact in the lives of those around them, to enhance their relationships with others by building trust and communication, and to listen intently to others in order to serve them and fill their buckets. Episode Highlights:Bucket fillingThe power of empathyThe role of perspective in navigating difficult situationsThe importance of small daily actionsGrief and how it affects individuals differentlyThe significance of resilience in overcoming adversityThe power of community support during times of griefBeing intentional about filling others' buckets with positivity.The Platinum RuleEmotional bank accountsSocial connectionListening intently to othersQuotes:"I want to be inspired, I want to learn, I want to improve my thinking.""My worst nightmare as a paramedic has come true.""Bucket filling is a way of life.""Fill their buckets with the things that are important to them, not you.""Just connecting, just sharing, just listening, can and does make all the difference.""A bucket filling move may be to spend time helping them, to give of your time, to help them set appointments or practice their work skills.""To be sincere in your connections or your bucket filling is to simply not have an agenda other than to be interested, to give, and to help.""One must continually make deposits of honesty, kindness, unconditional love, patience, all of those essential virtues that strengthen any relationship.”Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

The term “expecting” refers to the act of anticipating something or someone that is likely to arrive, and in today’s episode, McKay reveals that it also holds the potential to unlock untold possibilities and transform our lives for the better. He begins by recounting some remarkable stories of mothers who were expecting, and goes on to explore such aspects as geographical location and the science behind twin pregnancies to highlight how our expectations can be shaped by external factors.The episode also touches on the power of setting expectations for oneself, and how, by creating neural pathways in our brains, we can learn to form expectations that enable us to achieve our goals. Practical tips on how to create empowering expectations, starting with visualizing our best possible selves, and writing down our future goals in a positive light, are shared as well. As you will hear in today’s inspiring episode, whether it's in the context of pregnancy or personal growth, expecting is a powerful force that can shape our lives in profound ways, and by learning to set empowering expectations and visualizing our future selves, we can create a life that aligns with our deepest desires and aspirations.Episode Highlights:Unique stories of mothers who were expecting The changes that occur when a  woman's is expecting Setting the right and reasonable expectationsCreating neural pathways in the brainImagining your best possible self and writing down everything about your future lifeDepicting explicit images of achievement and you vision of the futureThe impact of expectations on identityThe effort and thought necessary in forming expectationsQuotes:"But one mother from Mali who was expecting recently did something remarkable. 25 year old Halima Sissy set a new world record when she gave birth to nine babies at once.""And based on my experience with a wife and three daughters who have had children, it is obvious that more than their bodies change when they're expecting.""Expecting is an apt or fitting term because getting pregnant does change your life.""Time spent to set the right and reasonable expectations may have more power to influence outcome than training or many other factors.""When you imagine yourself doing something, you create a neural pathway.""Studies show that depicting explicit images of achievement, which I call priming, helps you more than you realize at reaching your goals.""Once you do this, like expecting mothers, you begin to put on a different identity, and that identity begins to guide your efforts."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this week’s episode, McKay’s focus is on change and how there can be little change in the world until we have the courage to change ourselves. He begins by looking at the advancements of artificial intelligence including the story of the development of OpenAI, a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Reid Hoffman. McKay notes that, despite the potential positive impact of AI, there are also concerns about its negative effects, and he encourages us all to learn more about this momentous change that is coming to all our lives.He also highlights the inspiring stories of Marva Collins and Tererai Trent, two women who overcame obstacles and changed their lives and those of others through education. Both women's stories demonstrate the transformative power of education and the importance of instilling people with belief in their own potential.  Our host concludes by reminding us all that our belief in ourselves will do more for us and those around us than we can possibly imagine, and to put our fears aside, choose change, and rise - to become who we can truly become.Episode Highlights:Artificial intelligence and its potential benefits to humanity The story of OpenAIChatGPT and concerns about its useMarva Collins, Tererai Trent and the positive change they have made in the world The power of belief, discipline, and hard workThe transformative nature of educationEmpowering people with the belief in their own potentialEnvisioning and reframing the future for yourself and your teamSharing evidence and stories of successQuotes:"OpenAI is located in San Francisco and runs the fifth largest supercomputer in the world.""AI systems work by ingesting large amounts of data, analyzing the data for patterns, then using those patterns to do the work.""The news has reported that students won't ever have to write their own research papers again. They'll just go to ChatGPT, ask a question, and the AI will write the lesson for them.""When you give them belief and they can see their own power to change, you will change your team.""Almost all beliefs are hand-me-downs.""If you have belief the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.""Both Marva Collins and Tererai Trent's stories illustrate the transformative nature of education and the importance of empowering people with the belief in their own potential.""Belief also comes from experience and evidence, as well as envisioning and reframing the future for oneself and one's team."“May God bless you this week as you and I both choose to change.”Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In today’s episode, McKay explores the power of knowing and learning through experience.  Recounting a variety of stories and examples, McKay emphasizes the importance of this way of learning and living, and highlights the negative impact of shifting from knowing by experience to knowing by description. Throughout the episode, he encourages listeners to engage with the world around them and put in the effort to truly come to know and learn.Our host also touches upon the idea of being a prisoner in our own lives and the walls that can keep us from learning and growing. Through the story of Ingrid Olsen, a recently divorced mother who takes a long bike ride in search of spiritual solace, the host illustrates the power of faith and determination in overcoming life's challenges. His words of wisdom today serve as a reminder for listeners to step out of their comfort zones and actively seek out new experiences and knowledge, regardless of the challenges that may arise. By learning through experience and engaging with the world around us, McKay assures us all that we can break down those walls that may be holding us back and live a more fulfilling life. Episode Highlights:Trivia and knowledgeThe importance of experiential knowledgeThe impact of the shift from knowing by experience to knowing by descriptionThe effort necessary to really know and understand a person or a principleParents becoming ‘personal assistants’ to their childrenExpanding knowledge in all areas of our livesAvoiding falling back into negative patternsEmbracing opportunities to learn and growQuotes:"But is knowing trivia really knowledge? Is it useful?""Well, it might be a good sign that you can remember things, but does it make you a better decision maker? Does it give you direction in your life?""Those with whom you are interacting are either buying into you or not buying in at all.""It's not really about the product or message. It is about you.""We have a lot of knowledge about a lot of things, but we've lost the power, the personal power of knowing by experience.""The mentally poor life is a life that lacks feeling, depth, or emotion.""What you come to know can bless your life for years to come.""There's more in life than what we know today.""We have choices that can help us step out and come to know new and amazing things in our lives.""Success comes from taking risks and learning from experience."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

This week, McKay turns the spotlight to the power of laughter and humor as a powerful anecdote to the stresses and worries of life.  He examines the skills of those who talk funny and the research behind laughter’s ability to improve our well-being.Throughout the episode, McKay shares some personal experiences with humor and how it has helped him get through difficult times. He also looks at how you can improve your sense of humor, the importance of being able to see the funny side of things, and the power of preserving amusing moments. Overall, our host emphasizes the significance of finding humor in life's challenges, as it can bring a brighter outlook, help to overcome difficult situations, and create a positive impact on our lives. Whether through self-reflection or seeking out new experiences, McKay’s sage advice here today is to embrace humor as a means to improve your wellbeing.Episode Highlights:The impact of laughter on the brain and physical healthLaughter as a powerful tool for influenceLaughter therapyThe science behind laughter and its effects on neurotransmittersThe power of humor in personal and professional lifeMcKay’s experiences with humorSeeing the funny side of things and improving your sense of humorKeeping a catalog of amusing momentsQuotes:"Laughing is a magical antidote to the stresses and worries of life.""Laughter is proven to strengthen your immune system, relieve pain, and improve personal wellbeing.""We are meant to laugh.""And they were laughing in such a big way I couldn't help but smile when I drove past them.""Well, some funny people will tell you to take a half an hour a day for a week and write amusing things that you've seen or have happened in your life.""This catalog of amusing things will become fuel for your humor fire.""Humor is not about one-liners or being able to tell jokes. Things happen on their own that are funny.""You don't have any idea what you're doing as a parent.""When your first child eats dirt, you rush them to the doctor. When your second eats dirt, you wash out their mouth...By the time you get to child number three, when he eats dirt, you think, great. Don't need to feed him lunch.""You'd stop worrying so much what people think about you if you really knew how seldom they do."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

This week, McKay introduces the theme of finding purpose in life, sharing insights and tips he has learned over time, and emphasizing that having a purpose can bring powerful health and mental benefits. The episode is inspired by a five-year study conducted by two professors and two medical doctors, which concluded that purpose-driven people were 42% less likely to die in the next five years compared to those without purpose. The potential of some remarkable medical advancements in extending and improving our lives is also explored.McKay goes on to share the story of Mother Teresa and her journey to find her purpose in life. He recounts some common misconceptions about finding purpose, highlights the impact of a small, meaningful purpose, and notes that Mother Teresa's commitment to relieving poverty and suffering resulted in a legacy that continues to inspire and bring hope to those in need. In the end, our host concludes that "nothing is more important than knowing your purpose in life,” and that "a purpose-led life is powerful enough to extend life and bestow health and mental benefits" - valuable insights that we would all do well to take to heart.The Finer Details of This Episode:Regenerative medicine and some predictions about it future capabilitiesAdvancements in the science of immunotherapyThe study regarding purpose and mortalityThe health and mental benefits of having a purposeCommon misconceptions about finding purposeThe impact of a small, meaningful purposeMother Teresa's legacy and her journey to finding her purposeFinding your purposeThe power of a purpose-led lifeQuote:"Your cells already know how to make all the organs or limbs in your body and science just needs to discover how to trigger and convince your cells to do what we want your cells to do.""The science of immunotherapy is advancing quickly and the advancement in immunotherapy is likely to transform cancer care.""These discoveries will change life as we know it, allowing us to regrow limbs, repair damaged organs, and cure debilitating diseases.""Sometimes we wait for God to reveal something huge, when in fact we could be about a meaningful purpose that is small but could bring great purpose and wealth to our life.""Mother Teresa's legacy continues to inspire and bring hope to those in need.""She gave herself to it to live among the poor and help them.""Her purpose kept her going.""She opened a hospice for the dying, a hospice for lepers, and a children's home for homeless children."“I've also learned that finding your true purpose almost always has to do with helping other people because that is God's purpose.”“When you find your purpose, you will find your life.”Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay delves into the theme of taking control of one's life and reaching one's potential, and he does this through the lens of the Boston Marathon. The stories of some Marathon runners, as discussed by McKay, offer insight and encouragement to do the hard things in order to achieve success. The rigorous process of qualifying for the marathon, the dedication and hard work required to be considered as a participant, the emotions and experiences of race day, and the camaraderie and support of the spectators and fellow runners are all explored. Our host also shares the power of determination and perseverance, and introduces listeners to the "Scream Tunnel" -  a powerful reminder of the impact that support and encouragement can have in an individual's journey towards their goals. During the episode, McKay also recounts the remarkable story of Katherine Switzer, and emphasizes the importance of proving our abilities and the price we must pay to truly run the race of life. As you listen in today, you will gain insight into how to take your life back and do the things necessary to grow your business and achieve success - including losing things such as idle time and the willingness to procrastinate so that you can gain energy, satisfaction, and a sense of being remarkable. Inspirational and motivational, today’s episode answers that most crucial of questions: Isn’t it time to do the hard things necessary to take your life back?The Finer Details of This Episode:Overview of the Boston Marathon and its significanceThe power of determination and perseveranceThe "Scream Tunnel" Doing the hard things in order to achieve successThe story of Katherine Switzer Taking your life back and doing the necessary thingsLosing a few thingsThe importance of training and working hard, even when no one is watchingProving yourself yourselfMaking the effort to be remarkableQuotes:"500,000 spectators line the route and gather at the finish line to cheer on a brother, a sister, a friend, or to just watch runners reaching their goals.""Race day is an experience all by itself.""One magical place on the course is called ‘Scream Tunnel.’""Isn't it time to take your life back, do the hard things when it's time?”"And soon you'll be in the habit and your life, yourself, your self worth, will return.""It also means you may gain a few things - energy, satisfaction, and a sense of you being remarkable.""She trained and worked and finally ran a marathon plus an extra 5 miles to prove to her coach that she could run the distance.""And in Katherine's case, she proved her ability in training by herself with no one watching.”"The other runners were happy to see her and supportive of her.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this week’s episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay introduces and explores the topic of getting your life back. He begins with the very recent story of Damar Hamlin, a defensive back for the Buffalo Bills, who collapsed on the field during a game due to cardiac arrest. Christensen highlights the shock and surprise of both players and audience members at the event, and uses it as an example of how our behavior and beliefs are deeply rooted in the way we see the world and ourselves in it. He goes on to discuss other examples of individuals in high-stress fields, such as professional athletes and performers, who have experienced similar events.McKay also recounts the story of the 1846 Donner party, a group of pioneers who were leaving Missouri and Ohio and headed to Oregon and California. He reveals how the party was persuaded to take a shorter, less-traveled path, how this decision ultimately led to their downfall, and the lessons we can learn from this famous event. Through the examples discussed in the episode, McKay highlights the notion that gaining a new perspective can empower us to think and live differently - essentially allowing us to get our lives back.The Finer Details of This Episode:How our behavior and beliefs are deeply rooted in the way we see the world and ourselves in itSome stories that are illustrative of this conceptGaining a new perspective on the way we see the world and ourselves in itEmpowering yourself to think and live differentlySome real life examples including the story of Damar Hamlin and The Donner partyFinding what really matters in life and how to get your life backThree questions to ask yourselfFinding renewal and resuscitation in your lifeAdding new elements to your lifeQuotes:"This podcast is born from a deep desire to help us all live a happier life, and the belief that a powerful way to make that happen is to open our eyes to new ways of seeing life.""We believe that the foundation of our behavior and beliefs is the way we see the world and ourselves in it.""The fact that Hamlin had in fact died, his heart stopping on the field was a shock to the players and the audience.""We can come back from the dead. We can resuscitate our goals, we can give our true effort when we're working for what matters.""Thinking clearly about what we've lost and what it means to us can help us find the strength to make the changes we need""We all need to revive a few things in our life from time to time""You have to act as if you have purpose.”"New people bring inspiration, new ideas, energy, and new interests""Learn something new. Read. Newness in one area of your life will help you find newness in other areas as well.""We all need a few signposts or names or symbols to help us remember to stay on the right road and remind us to keep our life on track."Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay launches today’s episode by introducing the metaphor of sailing a ship and how it relates to your life. In the process, he delves into the importance of taking control of your life as the captain of your own ship and how this can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and direction for the new year.Throughout the episode, McKay relates the stories of some historic incidents at sea as he discusses the significance of "nailing one's colors to the mast" and the importance of perseverance and leadership in navigating difficult times. The concept of applying this idea to your personal and professional life, and the importance of not giving up and continuing to push through difficult times instead are also highlighted. Listen in today to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of perseverance and leadership and how they can help you navigate through difficult times in life.The Finer Details of This Episode:The metaphor of a ship and how it relates to our livesMaking good, smart choicesThe host talks about the importance of being open to new opportunities and experiencesStories of ships that sank and how they relate to the metaphor of our livesThe tragic eruption of the White Island volcano and the Phoenix tourist shipBeing prepared and aware of potential dangersHistorical sea battles and the significance of "nailing your colors to the mast"  Perseverance and leadership in difficult timesQuotes:"I believe there are new and wonderful things waiting for you this year.""Ultimately, we get to choose how our story will be written, and the choice is ours.""Nail your colors to the mast.""When the wind goes out of your sails, when you lose your mast, so to speak, the fleet assumes you've surrendered.”"Be the captain of change for your team and for yourself.”"It's time to shift from the life you've had and the person you've been into the new life and better person you are seeking.""I know it will require sacrifice. And I get it. You're trying to change a long-standing habit.""It's your ship. And your ship can be remarkable.""Adding ‘ship’ to ‘partner’ does the same thing. It brings in this power and this responsibility that the relationship is yours to navigate"Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Today’s episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast is all about the journey towards finding purpose in life and the power of perspective in shaping our experiences. To begin, Mckay introduces the story of Eugene, a man who had a script for his life with careers in the police force, Air Force, and as a professional pilot, but was left wondering what he was looking for after a plane crash left him unable to fly. From there, our host delves into the theme of examining our views and perspectives in order to make good choices that lead us towards finding our purpose. McKay also discusses the importance of taking bold steps and going outside of our comfort zones in order to find our purpose, using the story of William Shatner as an example. Additionally, he explores the idea that we often have the skills and abilities we need to succeed, and that changing our perspective can help us reach our goals. Our host goes on to use his own experience, and the story of a business owner with whom he worked, to illustrate these themes and encourage us all to think about our own journey towards finding purpose and achieving success.The Finer Details of This Episode:Shaping your own story Making good choicesKnowing what you’re looking forExamining your views and perspectivesBeing open to new opportunities and experiencesThinking about what you are looking for in lifeTaking steps towards finding your purposeQuotes:"I believe there are new and wonderful things waiting for you and me this year.""Ultimately, we get to choose how our story will be written.""I think this happens to us now and then... we come to realize, ‘I don't really know what I'm looking for.’""Sometimes you need to boldly go where you otherwise wouldn't to really find what you're looking for - to find you.""To discover something more valuable... do something unexpected.""Hesitate less. Go to that event. Make the phone call. Extend yourself and swallow your pride.""The rewards are so great because so few ever succeed. Too many succumb to despair and fail along the way without realizing they already possess all the talent necessary to reach success.""Everything was waiting for her to switch her belief window to, ‘I am prepared, I am ready for just a moment as this, and I can seize today and act with urgency.’""We can't let our past dictate our present or our future.""We must be willing to let go of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay discusses the importance of enjoying the journey as you work towards your goals. He begins with the story of Alfonso Cuarón, the Mexican film director behind hits like A Little Princess, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, and Children of Men, to illustrate the idea that sometimes it's the struggles and challenges we face on the way to achieving our goals that can ultimately lead to our greatest successes. He also goes on to encourage listeners to find joy and purpose in the journey of goal setting and self-improvement, rather than just focusing on the end result.McKay delves into the story of Cuarón's journey to create the film Gravity, highlighting the challenges and struggles he and his son faced while writing the screenplay and the importance of perseverance and enjoying the process. He emphasizes how these qualities can benefit us all as we seek to achieve success and live a fulfilling life. Our host also shares personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate the idea that it's important to embrace the journey and find joy in the present, rather than missing out on life's experiences because we're too focused on our goals or our fears. Throughout the episode, he touches upon the themes of fear, abundance, and mindfulness, encouraging listeners to find ways to embrace the present moment, cultivate an attitude of abundance, and practice mindfulness in order to fully engage with and enjoy life. McKay draws the episode to a close with an inspiring story about a group of students being asked to list the Seven Wonders of the World, and the insightful response of one of those students.The Finer Details of This Episode:Goal setting as an energizing and enjoyable processAlfonso Cuarón, his son, and the writing of the screenplay for GravityResilience and finding purpose in the face of hardship Embracing the journey and finding joy in the present momentActions that can prevent us from fully enjoying life's experiencesCultivating an attitude of abundance The benefits of mindfulness Finding The Seven Wonders of the World in everyday experiencesQuotes:"Too often we go about setting goals the wrong way. We reluctantly write down the things we need to change or goals for our business and life, thinking of the work and effort it will take to reach those goals, all the while missing the infusion of energy and joy that this time of year and goal setting can bring to our life.""And it was that struggle that Cuarón's son had experienced in his own life that helped them write the screenplay for Gravity and move the story forward.""It's the journey that teaches us so much about ourselves and others.""Finding purpose in the face of hardship can lead to a fulfilling life.""Life is short. Enjoy the ride.""Why is it that when we set a big goal that sometimes it robs us of our ability to enjoy the moment? Well, it's often because we're focused on what's next, and maybe we're afraid, a bit, of that big goal or what it's going to take to achieve it, and that focus or that fear occupies our focus.""You and I are the same. We're on the same ride. Ups and downs, turns and twists. We can open our eyes and enjoy the ride if we choose.""Think abundantly. Abundance is really your ability to see more in life. More options, more choices, more resources. And that starts with noticing more."Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay’s topic this week centers on the concept of change and why it doesn’t always have to be something worthy of fear.  It’s all about taking advantage of the circumstances, no matter how poor.  Whether you're a Minnesotan ice fisherman floating away on a glacier or a sinking multibillion dollar corporation, the outcome of change relies solely on how you adapt to it– on how well you can innovate.  And that’s what today’s episode is all about: learning how to innovate.  McKay walks us all through various stories about companies and people who chose to innovate and some of those who unfortunately didn’t, whilst also providing clear steps on how you too can start turning change in your own lives into a force for good.  From aspirations and motivation to acceleration and scale, McKay seeks to help us master innovation techniques, whatever that means to you.  And it doesn’t necessarily need to entail large, ornate schemes.  As you’ll learn today, innovation can even be as simple as writing a name on a coffee cup.The Finer Details of This Episode: Minnesota’s ice fishermenTaking advantage of the circumstancesThe death of SearsFinding aspirations and motivationKennedy’s path to the MoonAccelerating through barriersThe Disney magicScaling innovationStarbucks’ first name initiativeBecoming a partner of choiceQuotes: “We have done what we thought was needed to prosper in life.  We’ve drilled our holes so to speak, prepared our lines, packed a lunch, done everything we need to do, and what happens?  The entire sheet of ice, the ground underneath us moves.”“Sears didn’t do these seemingly boring yet essential things to respond to the changing economy.  Instead they invested millions in ad campaigns such as “Welcome to the softer side of Sears.”  These millions could have been spent to change their store locations, warehouses, supply chain, and other operations.”“Innovation does so many things for your business and for you.  It brings in energy, vibrancy, and hope.  It challenges you and your team.  And that challenge is what helps you to grow.”“It’s intimidating, because you don’t understand the technology or market, or it looks and feels like work.  But innovation is where you find the joy and energy and focus that will fuel your business and life.”“What gets you motivated and excited?  You see, once you’ve answered those questions, then you can choose the one thing upon which to focus. Focus allows and forces you to think, get creative, and innovate.”“We may not have all the answers we need to move forward, but that uncertainty may hold us back.  So, as you begin your new innovation, learn all you can.  Be a curious student of everything in your business.  Learn, try, test and retest.”“The ground is likely to move underneath your feet.  So, get ready, look into the future and decide today how you need to bring a bit more innovation into your life and business.  To do so, get clear about what you aspire to do.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about taking the positive approach in life.  Have you ever known someone who just seems to have a critical nature?  What was it like to be around them?  It’s easy for you, and me, to get in the habit of being critical or negative, and soon we may not even be aware that we are that way.  At the end of the day, we can choose to take the positive approach with people and ourselves. And that’s just why our host finds this topic important to discuss today. As Norman Vincent Peale said: “A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions.” Weaving stories of positivity about greats like Henry Longfellow and Vincent Peale, McKay inspires the audience to not only believe in the positive approach, but also to adhere to it too.  Most importantly, he wants the audience to remember that negativity can be a force for good, but it can also be all-consuming. We don’t need to completely eradicate all negativity from our lives to become more optimistic individuals.  In fact, some of the most positive people have the darkest pasts.  So why not take the positive and growth oriented approach?  We have nothing to lose. The Finer Details of This Episode: Henry Longfellow’s positive determinationWhy negativity is contagious Firing neurons and their patternsThe returns of the positive approachWashing your metaphorical “dirty window”“Post It Note therapy”Quotes: “​​A negative view can rob you of some very important things.  The first thing you lose is yourself.  You see, you can’t take the negative approach and not lose a part of you in the process. Because your patterns of negative thinking soon turn from others to you.”“So when you have a thought, your brain searches for patterns to connect to, and if your established patterns are negative, you will think negative—even if it’s about yourself.”“A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions.”“Sure enough, the view from our window, our belief window, can get stained with our own negative view and this tends to stain what we see around us.”“And watch what will happen, yes, you will get better results with people, but you, your thought patterns, how you feel about yourself will improve.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Do you ever feel like life is unfair?  While it is true life has its disadvantages, there are also unfair advantages, if we can open our eyes to see them. That’s what McKay talks about on this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast.  Hurdles, roadblocks, and inequities are inevitable.  But if we look closely, we can see how those inequities can set us up to have an unfair advantage.  After all, disappointments are often blessings in disguise. We can find a real silver lining in and grow from loss and disappointment that sometimes comes our way.In this episode, McKay walks us through the steps necessary to start looking for the unfair advantage.  With lessons about pursuing the path presented and working smarter, McKay’s ultimate goal is to help listeners embrace the uncomfortable and reach their true potential.  So listen to this special episode and start seeking out the unfair advantage in your own life.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Why change isn’t always fairUsing inequity in our favorGrowing from lossPursuing the path presentedWorking smarterEmbracing the wildly uncomfortableQuotes: “Life forces another wing to be added.  We have to remodel a worn out room, change something about ourselves we don’t want to change, and much of what has to change or get remodeled in our life isn’t always fair.”“Tragedy, illness, and other inequitable things will come our way. In a small way, I can relate. I have lived my entire life with pain, primarily back pain, from an accident at the age of 15. But through the years that pain has kept me more humble, more prayerful, and hopeful. Yes, it would be easier without it, but I can’t imagine who I would be without it.”“But it’s a great lesson in life to see how things can and do lean in our favor.”“Now losses in life aren’t always compensated or unfairness always repaired. And all of us should be in the business of helping others like Jennie Taylor with the means to support her family. But I do believe that we grow and become who we are supposed to be through things that are unfair.”“When things work against us, it can empower us to learn how to not just work hard but work smart.”“As you have likely heard, success leaves clues. You can learn a lot, gain unfair advantages from watching and learning from what other people do.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

McKay goes all in today as he gives inspiring advice and recalls powerful anecdotes about, well, going all in.  Whether we want to start hitting the gym more, spend more time with our family, start a business, or take that vacation we’ve always been talking about, making changes in our lives requires that we go all in.  Taking a page from Malcolm Gladwell’s book, McKay opens up this episode with a few brief notes on tipping points and, more importantly, how to create them in our own lives.  And according to McKay, it all starts with us.  Getting to know ourselves completely is the first step to going all in.  That’s why, on this very important episode, he discusses how to reckon with our blindspots, shadow selves, and aspirations.  McKay believes that when we shed light on our conscious and unconscious selves, we can truly begin to ally our dreams with actions.  This path is rarely straightforward though, and making that first step is, more often than not, the hardest part.  So if you’re interested in going all in like the cast of characters that McKay talks about today, tune into this episode to see how you too can align your aspirations with your actions.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Tipping pointsOur shadow selfHow blindspots drive usAligning our aspirations with our actionGetting to know your goalsThe fuzzy front endEducated guessesQuotes: “And there are dozens of other examples. Now, what about your business? Is the tipping point possible? And if so, how do you get your team all in? What about your life? How do you get to the point personally where you are all in?”“Now, when saying ‘shadow self’, you may think it is the dark side of our personality, and that wouldn't be accurate. It's better described as the blind spot of our psyche, meaning the things that make up our persona that we're not aware of or fully consider. Or in our conscious thought, our shadow selves might hold guilt, emotions, or thoughts that may be difficult to accept.”“I believe to be all in, to create the full momentum in our life, and arrive at the person we know we can be, we can come to understand our blind spots and begin to align our behavior accordingly.”“In short, shadow work is bringing those blind or disregarded parts of you to light through awareness, like opening your eyes, curiosity, and intention.”“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.”“The strength of the pack is the wolf. And the strength of the wolf is the pack. You see, both your actions and your aspirations, like the wolf and the pack, must be aligned. Actions grow aspiration and aspiration grows action.”“All in sometimes requires an educated guess, and pressing forward with that guess. And if you've decided to make a change, don't wait for perfect clarity.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

In today’s episode, McKay talks about wrestling with weaknesses, how to overcome them, and why everyone is capable of doing so.  Opening up the podcast with two stories about wrestling, he talks about experiences fighting both literal and figurative bears.  And while most of us have yet to wrestle with a 400 lb grizzly, we do wrestle with daily struggles that make us feel like we’ve been punched in the gut.  That’s why McKay spends the majority of the episode talking about how to win that fight.From learning the price of happiness and working from the outside in to focusing on who you stand with and having a healthy body, our host highlights all the ways you can commit to overcoming that weakness, whether it be physical, spiritual, or psychological.  It all stems from a willingness to seek out answers to the problems we want to solve– a willingness to find victories even in moments of weakness, in fact, especially in weakness.  So join McKay on this episode as he meditates deeply on how to win that daily wrestle and take your life back.  The Finer Details of this Episode: Bear wrestlingWinning the wrestle with weaknessThe price of happinessWorking from outside in Who you stand withHaving a healthy bodySpiritual and psychological well beingPaying attention to the wrestleCommitting to overcoming weaknessQuotes: “We all have wrestles in our life - with people, purpose, and ourselves from time to time. In some of those cases, you may feel like you are wrestling with a 400 pound bear who's tossing you wherever he wants to toss you.”“The wrestle with life is hard, and it will sucker punch you in the gut. But it is beautiful and will give sunshine, rainbows, peace, and happiness, if you will pay the price for peace and happiness.”“You haven't been to the store, your kids are being annoying, you have 10 things to do, and no time to do it. This is the time when your weaknesses manifest the most.”“The cracked screen on our phone that remains unrepaired actually drains energy from us. So a clean and tidy environment does give us strength.”“How you stand with people is a critically important part of winning your wrestle.”“​​And I wonder if John Witherspoon's influence as the first president of Princeton University wasn't reaching down through the generations to inspire Reese to pursue her education. You see, who we stand with can and does make a difference in winning our wrestle in life.”“By paying attention to our wrestle and seeking answers, we open ourselves up to the solutions that may come into our lives.”“When anyone asks Jake about what it's like to lose his sight, he always answers that it wasn't what he lost that changed him; it's what he found.”Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/ 

Today on the podcast, McKay chats about making tough choices, the Endowment Effect, and why great risks can have great rewards.  Opening up the episode with a story about two men’s dangerous descent down the face of Peru’s Siula Grande, McKay details the hardest decision of one of their lives and what it’s like to work under pressure.  From picking flavors at the ice cream shop to a marriage proposal, choices follow us everywhere, even when we think we don’t have any.  Feeling helpless or trapped?  There is always a way out, but it isn’t always easy.  That’s why this episode is all about forgetting failure, forsaking the status quo, and paying attention to the mood.  The most important thing to remember, though, is that nothing changes unless you do.  Taking risks can be scary, but you also just might find that your best life may lie on the other side.  If McKay’s learned anything in his life, it’s that he’s never regretted making a bold choice, whether it went his way or not.  So take a note from the Christiansen book, and listen to what he has to say about decision making and why it’s okay to make the daring one.  The Finer Details of This Episode:Mount Huascaran and Yungay’s powerful earthquakeSimpson and Yates’ dangerous descentMaking tough choicesWhy life is your greatest instructorStatus Quo BiasFocusing on failureRisk and rewardsHow mood affects decision makingQuotes:“They enjoyed the thrill of their success only for a few minutes before the dread of the descent covered their thinking.  Why?  Because 80 percent of the deaths and accidents on climbs like this happen on the descent.”“If he cut the rope, he knew he would be sending his friend below him to a certain death.  But if he didn’t cut the rope he would fall along with Joe and likely die as well.  There was no good choice.  How do you choose?”“Some of us don’t like to make a choice, because the consequences are hard to live with, and impact us and others.”“We make bad judgments, lack experience, misread, misinterpret, and mistake the wrong thing for the right thing. And life is tough. Life teaches us there are consequences for bad choices. And, as a result, we may shy away from those choices.”“What is often true is: you can’t change the cards you are dealt with, but you can change how you play them.”“When faced with a choice that involves an element of risk, the vast majority of people will choose what they have: the status quo.”“I get feeling helpless or trapped.  I have felt this way before, but there is something liberating and energizing about choosing.”“And it may be time to make the bolder choice, to purposefully act against mood and the status quo in your life.  If you don’t feel like it, that very mood and feeling may be telling you to choose it anyway.  Your best life may be found on the other side of today’s difficult choice.”Links:https://www.mckaychristensen.org/ 

Each year, in early March, a little Alaskan town called Nome acts as the finish line for the world’s longest and most spectacular race—the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The race extends over 938 miles from Anchorage to Nome (more than the length of Texas), with the course record standing at seven days and fourteen hours, including two days of required rest for the dog teams. One of the most famous mushers (drivers) in the Iditarod’s history is Aliy Zirkle, who competed in twenty-one races but never won, despite coming close multiple times. Many people might see this as a failure or a disappointment, but Ali herself flipped the script and defined her own success, knowing that she was one of the most remarkable mushers in history and not buying into any negative narrative about her race record.Flipping the script is something we can all do, and on today’s episode, McKay discusses how to do it and reap the rewards. First up, he discusses negative thoughts and the huge drain they put on our time and energy. He suggests that these thoughts can be flipped by spending time each day writing a new script that fills your mind with positive thoughts to sustain you through the day. This is an important skill both for ourselves and those around us, and McKay uses the example of how parents may be scripting anxiety into their kids to illustrate the impact that flipping the script to something more positive can have on our loved ones. Another script-flipping skill McKay advocates is the ability to look into the future and see things as our future self would see them. He uses the example of singer Donnie Osmond, whose career was judged to be over many times but who kept reinventing himself, repeatedly flipping the script on his career to create new opportunities for success. McKay closes the episode by discussing how to know when it’s the right time to flip our script and why it’s worth the effort to get a fresh perspective on our goals.The Finer Details of This Episode:Alaska and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Aliy Zirkle and her quest to win the Iditarod Flipping the script and defining your own success Are we scripting anxiety into our kids? How Donnie Osmond flipped the script to let his talent shineQuotes:“The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is run early March of each year. And in that race, mushers and their dog teams travel from Anchorage in the south, across the state and up the coast to Nome in the north. In total, the race extends 938 miles. And that’s farther than the length of Texas.”“Would it be nice to win? Yes. But she doesn’t buy into the script that others have written that she is not a real success. She is, in fact, one of the most remarkable mushers in history. And the same goes for you and me. We, like Aliy, can flip the script on whatever we’re attempting in life.”“Flipping the script has more to do with filling your thoughts with your new script, which will put aside the negative thoughts we might typically have. And most experts in personal change will say that you need to write that script that will consume your thoughts each day, that the first fifteen to thirty minutes of each day is what will prime your thinking for the rest of the day. So I call this time each morning the Flip the Script Session.”“As a father, I used to replay the script in my mind of how hard it was to raise kids. But now, as a grandfather, I have flipped the script. I would pay ten times $300,000 to have the joy and opportunity to do it again. I wish I could flip the time and go back and rescript myself while I was raising kids and have the perspective I do now. I would be a much happier, patient, and better father.”“When you flip the script, the outcome may be the same, you might even fail. But when you flip the script, you’re giving yourself more opportunities for success. And perhaps the success is measured by just finishing the task or just enduring the heartbreak or not falling into old patterns or practicing something new and sticking to your goals of what’s important to you.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Sometimes, in life, we can forget who we are.  The way of the world, comparisons, circumstances can rob us of our view of our true value and potential.  Often, the world attempts to define who we are or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be. But when we remember who we are, we become empowered.  And the same goes for teams, organizations and families.On today’s episode, McKay dives into how we can remember who we are.  McKay opens with a moving story about Humboldt Canada and the tragic events of the Humboldt Bronco Hockey Team. He recounts the experience of Scott Thomas after losing his son, Evan, and what the city of Humboldt did to remember who they were as a city and who the players were as a team.  McKay reviews why it’s so important to remind yourself of who you are, where you’re going, and why.  Too often, failure and others’ opinions prevent us from embracing ourselves.  Take the MLB’s Nolan Ryan for example, who nearly let his hall-of-fame professional career slip away, purely because he lacked confidence.  McKay also goes on to tackle some techniques that can help you stay authentic, such as journaling, avoiding doubt and dabble, and ultimately feeding your faith.  As you will hear today, you’re the only person who knows you best, and it’s important to listen to that. The Finer Details of This Episode: The origins of GoFundMeThe Humboldt Bronco’s bus accident Staying true to your choicesNolan Ryan’s journey to the MLBReminding yourself where you want to goThe value of journaling Don’t doubt or dabbleFeeding your faithQuotes: “That day when Evan came home from school, he was crying and trying desperately to wipe the birthmark from his cheek. He tried and tried again to wash it away, but wasn't able to do so. And he wondered why God had given him this mark on his cheek.”“And everyone knew it meant that their son, if still at the scene, was gone.”“It was his birthmark, the mark on his cheek that his dad looked for when he came to recognize Evan.  It was his birthmark, the mark that he never wanted on his cheek that helped his dad recognize him when it was his dad's time to identify him.”“Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as valuable than you ever imagined. Sometimes the world attempts to define who we are, or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be.”“If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. Well, the players embrace the hard of it, and go on to find out who they really are.”“And one house after another had sticks set out hoping that those who had passed away would see that they are loved and that they remembered who they were. So put your sticks out so to speak and remind yourself frequently who you are. Next, write or talk to yourself.”“Likewise, it's easy for us to let the fungus of doubt or discouragement take over our livelihood. That's why we need an injection of faith every day: faith in ourselves, in our team, in the fact that there are good things– great things waiting for you in the future. So make it a point to feed your mind and soul with faith.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Do wishes come true?  In many ways our wishes dictate the direction we travel in life.  In this week’s episode, McKay discusses the principle that dreams we grant to others and seek for ourselves have the power to change lives.  It often takes a leader and first class noticer to make someone’s wish come true in the first place.  From Jason McElwain to Cary Elwes, McKay goes on to recount stories about wish makers, what they wish for, and how they turn wishes into reality.Above all else, McKay finds it important to note that we can realize our own wishes too, and that’s just what this episode is all about: making the right wishes and letting them serve as a guide. Among the stories he shares today is that of Shawn Bradley, NBA veteran and now quadriplegic, who, after getting hit by a car and losing movement in his body from the neck down, could’ve easily wished that everything was different or at least that he stayed in bed that fateful day.  Instead, he saw no value in wishing for a new life, and opted to become someone new; someone who embraces the circumstances he’s given. Be sure to listen in to today’s moving and inspirational episode to discover how you, too, can make others’ dreams come true, and lead life as you wish.    The Finer Details of This Episode: The Make-A-Wish FoundationJ Mac’s dream come trueMaking others’ dreams come trueCary Elwes’ casting in The Princess BrideLetting wishes be your guideShawn Bradley’s new purpose in lifeQuotes: “Wishes, the kind we grant for and give to others, and the kind we seek to be granted for ourselves, both have the power to change your life.”“And Jason had a wish. After becoming manager, Jason had a wish, and it was to sit on the sideline in a uniform as a real player for one game.”“At Boston, he ran a very impressive two hour and 57 minute marathon, proving to the world that he was indeed an elite athlete, and that wishes - the best wishes - do come true.”“It's one thing to use the word wish or to send someone a wish, but an entirely different thing to see a wish come about in someone's life by what you do. This takes a leader who is a first class noticer: someone who sees what other people are hoping for and then goes about helping to make that happen.”“Cary said from the first shot in which cantankerous Max appears poking his head through a wooden peep hole in the door, Billy Crystal began ad libbing for three days straight, 10 hours a day.  He improvised, never saying the same thing or the same line twice.”“Life tends to steer the same way. And if we wish we were more educated, the pull of such wishes tends to keep us interested in looking for a way to get that degree or become more educated.”“Shawn realizes that there's no value in wishing things were different, but there's tremendous value in wishing you can become something new.”Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

Have you ever thought about the person you will be in the future or what your future will look like? Your future is worth your attention.  Because the future you picture or imagine influences your actions today.In this week’s episode, McKay has an important question for you: What is your future worth? To help you envision your future self, he shares an incredibly touching story about a group of mountain climbers and the hard-learned lessons that turned their lives upside down. And we can all learn so much about climbs and attempts in life from their powerful story. As McKay says, it’s not about the climb, it’s about the climber. You are in the driver’s seat of your life, so take the wheel and change direction if you want to! For more insightful tips, join McKay here today as he illuminates the power of a perspective shift and the key principles for climbing your way to the top.The Finer Details of This Episode:The incredible story of mountain climbers Climbing back after you fallWorking hard today for a successful tomorrowPrinciples for achieving your future worthEnvisioning your future selfThe power of perspectiveQuotes:“In the end, Clinton is grateful for a few things - for the years he had with his wife, for his kids, and for the fact that a split second before the lightning struck, he had reclipped the belay device into an anchor in the rock and that belay kept the three climbers below him from falling off the mountain.”“I've come to learn this very important lesson about climbs and about attempts in life. It's not about the mountain. It's not about the lightning. It's not about the decisions or miscalculations or choices or circumstances. And it's not about who to blame. It's not, despite what Miley Cyrus thinks, about the climb. It is about the climber.”“Is the person you're hoping to become worth the effort you are making today?”“Here's the truth. The value of a future goal is the present change that it makes in you today.”“He said that when you live in poverty and squalor, you picture your future and put on that image. So you see yourself as the person you will become, not the person you are today, because the person you are today is too poor and too pitiful to identify with. It is the future that you become. It's imagining that future that is yet to come that gives you hope.”“The climb gives you perspective.”“My experience had been that when you move deliberately in the direction, you feel inspired to act. The confirmation of your decision will come, or you'll be inspired to know that you're on the wrong path. But sometimes you have to be on the path and walk forward a bit before you get that perspective and understanding.”“What's your future worth? It's worth the hard things you have to do today. It's worth the sacrifices you are making. It's worth the work to overcome your habits, and it's worth the climb.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

Too often in life, we get to thinking that we are less than capable of doing what we set out to do.  But the truth is:  we are better than we think. So, how do you find the best within you?   In this week’s episode, McKay shares some valuable tips for finding the best within you and discovering your own potential. He talks about the dangers of making excuses, why it’s important to take calculated risks in life, and how to rise to your true self. As he nicely puts it, you are way better than you think, even though you might not see it at the moment. However, you’re not alone in this; most people get so caught up in the chaos of everyday life that they miss the beauty of it all. That’s precisely why it is so important for you to tune in today, and learn how you, too, can turn things around and find the best within you.The Finer Details of This Episode:Enjoying the beauty of the moment Recognizing your own potentialDangers of making excusesTaking calculated risksFulfilling your dreamsRisk-taking for a better lifeBelieving in your true valueQuotes:“Because people are so busy and focused on their day, they miss the beauty and rarity of the moment.”“In life, there are so many things around us that are, in fact, better than we think. People are better than we think. Circumstances, our life, kids, job, our own potential, often are much better than we think. ”“You are better than you think.”“Over time, it becomes more of a habit to talk than to walk.”“Most of us have ideas or dreams of what we'd love to do. And we make an assessment and the impossibility of the thing takes over. And soon we place the idea on the shelf hoping that someday we can dust it off, open it up and dream a bit more.”“To find the best in us, we must risk a bit of ourselves - our pride, our time, our effort. It's the risk that teaches us to value the outcome.”“It's in the risk of it that we learn to bring out the best in us.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

You probably know one of the greatest Japanese proverbs of all time that teaches us about the power of resilience - ‘Fall down seven times, rise eight.’ In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the importance of dusting yourself off after a crisis and getting back up. He kicks off the episode by telling us a powerful story about Florence Rogers and how a seemingly normal day turned out to be an enormous test of her resilience. Just like Rocky Balboa, she decided to keep moving forward after life hit her hard. Next, McKay shares a few other compelling examples of keeping faith during a crisis and rising from the ashes every single time. There’s so much wisdom to unpack from this episode, as McKay shares the most effective tips for surviving tough times and picking yourself back up after you’re down. So if you want to build resilience and learn to endure life’s hardships, make sure you tune into this week’s episode to hear what McKay has to say.The Finer Details of This Episode:The power of rising againExample from the Book of IsaiahKeeping faith in hard timesHelpful tools for picking yourself back upDoing the next best thingChanging your mindsetAsking for helpQuotes:“When you're knocked down, you're left with two choices - stay there or get up. And people asked me, ‘How did you overcome the loss?’ My answer - I got up. No matter what life throws at you, you get up. Even if you need help, you get up.”“Even though it may seem like it's too hard to get up, try again, I promise you can. It is worth one more try.”“It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.”“Mistakes or a fall or a pause or a failing doesn't need to define you. You are able to mount up with wings of eagles and rise to the person you can and should become.”“There's great power in a new paradigm.”“I promise, the moment you reach out to the right person for help, you will begin to see a way out of your situation.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

Risk-taking is one of the most critical skills that every strong leader should have. It involves envisioning the future, enhancing your odds of success, and then translating your vision into reality. Risk-taking leaders are self-aware, nimble, and fearless. So, it’s no surprise that employees respond well to risk takers and perceive them as leaders worth following. Taking calculated risks will not only empower you as a leader, but it will also empower and inspire everyone around you.In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the most important skills that a risk-taking leader should have, and dives deep into the concept of leading by taking risks (that are worth taking). First, he tells us a story about Myles Frost and his journey to becoming a Tony Award winner. Thanks to his extraordinary talent, hard work, and some smart risk-taking, Myles showed us that life is inherently risky, but that very rarely does anything worthwhile happen without a gamble. Then, McKay walks us through some of the key traits of a risk-taking leader. According to him, if you want to lead as a risk taker, you need to learn to see the difference between foolish and sound risks. You need to know how to improve your odds of success and visit the future by examining the paths of others. Finally, you should have a clear vision and gain the capacity to translate that vision into reality. The Finer Details of This Episode:Learning from Myles Frost’s exampleRisks that are worth takingLeading by taking calculated risksThe difference between foolish and sound risk-takingImproving odds of successVisiting the future by examining your competitorsTranslating your vision into realityQuotes:“I think we all face risks now and then in our life. And sometimes those risks seem too impossible or too much to hope for or even seem like too much to think that we may actually have a chance to do something remarkable or good.”“That's how it is sometimes. The opportunities that come our way, and the direction we need to take our team or live from time to time is both a godsend and a gamble. But it is worth the risk. ”“You see, it's not the tendency of most leaders to risk because there's often too much to lose. But risk-taking builds credibility and makes you attractive as a leader.”“Almost everything worthwhile is a risk. ”“You can improve your odds as a leader and risk taker by getting smarter, using the best in the world to help you, having options, and putting your resources to work in the best way.”“Leadership is the ability to translate that vision into reality, to take what the road looks like in the future, and create a roadmap now for success.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

What’s the most important role in an organization? Despite what you may think, it’s not a CEO, CFO, or CMO. It’s actually CIO - Chief Inspiration Officer. A CIO has a job to inspire others and lead by example. So, how can you become your team’s CIO? You’re about to find out! In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the key characteristics that an inspiring leader must have: credibility and integrity. He dives deep into the power of inspiration - the driving force that moves a team forward and helps them achieve higher levels of performance. McKay starts the episode by telling us a story about a young group of Boy Scouts and their heroic deeds during a terrible train accident. From this inspirational example, we learn the basic principles of great leadership - leading by example. As a leader, you must show your team the way by practicing what you preach. In other words, walk the talk. Next, McKay goes on to share a few valuable lessons on becoming a Chief Inspiration Officer. He talks about building competence, confidence, and character, which are some of the key traits you should have as a CIO. Finally, McKay asks us to imagine ourselves as Chief Inspiration Officers of our homes, teams, or organizations. Whatever that’d be for you, open your eyes and seek to inspire.The Finer Details of This Episode:-          Eli Skrypczak and the Amtrack train accident-          Walking the talk and leading to inspire-          Discussing the most important role there is - CIO-          The importance of credibility for great leaders-          Leading by example-          The incredible power of inspirationQuotes:“Can you picture it?  A group of scouts putting into practice what they had learned, and caring for hundreds of injured passengers.”“That’s what happens with leaders: they inspire by who they are, the goals they keep, and the actions they take.  And when they do what they say they will do, when they do their duty, they inspire. Leadership IS what you inspire others to do.”“As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.’ This leads us to the first lesson of being a Chief Inspiration Officer, and this is very important… trusted leaders have credibility. ”“When we personally have gaps between our values and what we do, we experience dissonance or anxiety.  It robs us of our strength.  Likewise, when we don’t walk our talk, it robs us of our leadership influence. ”“Nothing is as powerful as you when you decide to be the Chief Inspiration Officer of your house or team or life.”“To be more inspiring, open your eyes to this fact:  the people on our team and in your family are not just people, they are gifts. It’s the leader’s job - your job - to nurture those gifts.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

A constructive leader is someone who builds others, not just themselves. It’s someone who creates ownership in a team to move the organization in the right direction. But a constructive leader is also a mother who lifts her child up, supports them in any way she can, and builds on their creativity. If you think about it, examples of great leaders are everywhere around us; we just need to know what to look for.In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the main principles of constructive leadership. He starts the episode by telling us an inspiring story about a young boy and his rise to fame. Thanks to the incredible support of his mother and his enormous talent for filmmaking, this boy grew up to become one of the most successful people in the industry, M. Night Shyamalan. The secret sauce to his success? Constructive parents. Then, McKay shares a few other success stories and phenomenal lessons on constructive leadership, from taking ownership like a goose in a flock to borrowing important dates like the Yankees. He ends the episode by reflecting on the most vital aspect of constructive leadership and that is your mindset to lead and construct.The Finer Details of This Episode:The success story of M. Night Shyamalan The importance of having supportive and constructive parents The most important principles of constructive leadership Three essential ingredients for building ownership on a team Borrowing important dates like the Yankees Building the mindset to lead and constructQuotes:“His mother’s influence was momentous in his life… The interesting thing is his mother was not a filmmaker. Far from it, and she did more than support, she helped magnify his passion and creativity.”“How do successes like this happen? How do you construct an M. Night Shyamalan who is bold enough to spend a year on a screenplay and bring the questions he had as a young Hindu boy in a Catholic grammar school about life and death to the screen in such unique and amazing ways? How does that happen? A mother, and father, who were constructive.”“There is power in being constructive. And…there are great results waiting for the leader who leads by being constructive.”“When you are constructive as a leader, you build something other than yourself.”“The constructive leader believes that to get the organization or family to where it needs to go, they must develop the people who make up that organization. They will work through others and focus on the building of others to reach their goals.”“Talk is cheap. Action makes all the difference. When you are trying as a parent to be constructive with your children, act as much as you can, not to do things for them, but to provide opportunities for them, to encourage them and to assist them in their self-leadership.”Links:McKay Christensen Homepage

We all have greatness within us. And we all navigate through life searching for it, trying to embrace our greatest strengths, and striving to become the best version of ourselves. But life is filled with irony, paradox, and dichotomy. And when we can embrace the dichotomy of greatness, that’s when we’ll be able to live our life to the fullest. The dichotomy of greatness is what leads us to greatness; we see it all around us – the most talented athletes, the world’s greatest leaders, and even in our closest friends. It shows us that we can’t be great until we accept that we’re also small. When we can step away from one side of life’s dichotomies and adopt a new view, only then can we find the secret to greatness.In this week’s episode, McKay dives deep into the dichotomy of greatness and how it can help us learn and grow. He shares some of the most inspiring stories of the world’s greatest people, from Muhammad Ali and Og Mandino to his courageous friend Jeff and his family members. He tells us about Ali’s rise to greatness and how he became a hero in the eyes of the public. Then, McKay shares his own personal experience with the dichotomy of greatness as well as a few other lessons to learn from life’s dichotomies. He finishes off the episode by explaining why taking the long view is the way to achieve hope and greatness in life.The Finer Details of This Episode:Muhammad Ali’s inspiring lessons on greatness The strange and beautiful dichotomy of life Learning and growing by embracing life’s dichotomies The Greatest Miracle in the World Taking the long viewQuotes:“Isn't that how life is? We travel a road in life only to learn the lesson that we should have learned all along. Life is filled with irony, paradox and dichotomy.”“I believe that God gives us these opposites, these dichotomies to help us learn and grow. It is in the contrast of things that we find the profound. It is the paradoxical that allow us to open our eyes to a new view. Without the opposite, the dichotomy, we couldn’t see in new ways who we are and what we can become.”“As the saying goes: if you are not willing to learn, no one can help you; if you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”“The truth is that we all have an invisible talisman. We can choose to embrace the greatness within us.”“To find greatness in the midst of dichotomy requires an unwavering patience that most people don’t or can’t sustain. Greatness requires the long view.”“Remember, greatness is waiting for you as you navigate the dichotomies of life. And if you will open your eyes to see things from both sides, lead with adaptability, learn all you can and to recognize you are the greatest, the greatest miracle in the world, just watch, you will find greatness in your life and the lives of those around you.”Links:McKay Christensen HomepageThe Greatest Miracle in the World by Og MandinoSuccess Through a Positive Mental Attitude by W. Clement Stone and Napoleon Hill

Today, McKay delves into the concept of becoming a person of grace and a leader who leads with grace. He shares an inspiring example of grace from the most recent Little League World Series playoffs. Like the little leaguers, when we extend grace to others, we become more inspiring. And that’s needed in our world today.While grace is incredibly motivational and encouraging, not many people actually engage in demonstrating or offering it, but we can all start.  McKay spends much of the episode characterizing someone leading with grace as someone who cares more about making things right than being right themselves, someone who is grateful, generous, and someone who is content to listen first before they speak.  Leading with grace isn’t always easy though.  It requires a certain discipline and willingness to sacrifice.  Nothing is more inspiring and motivating though than a graceful leader.  So encourage others with your grace, and soon you will see that you too can make a positive impact.  The Finer Details of This Episode: Great moments in Little League HistoryPresident Bush’s moment of graceMaking things right Gratitude and unassuming generosityBeing content to listenThe value of encouragementQuotes: “These two girls were playing pitch and catch as they linked generations of girls together who love the game of baseball.”“There, on that day at the regional finals, two 12-year-old boys, with the game on the line, put aside their own aspirations and demonstrated the type of grace and sportsmanship that is lacking in so many professional sports played by grown men today.”“Grace reminds us that leadership starts with the leader but it’s never about the leader.”“Grace is so easy to give and so powerful when it is received.  Hillary Clinton says the letter made her cry when she first read it and she cried again when she heard Bush had passed away years later.”“And it isn’t that people of grace give lots of money or even lots of time.  They simply give of themselves, of their own attention.”“There is something about people of grace that is content to wait for their time and let others have theirs.  There is a certain discipline to grace. We sacrifice, we temper the need to give to ourselves.”Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

On this week’s episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay talks about perseverance, how to adapt and overcome mistakes/failure, and why you should start doing ordinary things with excellence.  He opens up the episode with brief remarks about Walmart and the company's evolution. In 2010, when Walmart slowly started to fall to a new competitor on the scene, Amazon, they shifted their online marketing strategies to catch up, and they did.  So in a world that’s constantly changing, McKay urges us to,  like Walmart, adapt and overcome.  It’s okay to take inspiration from others, but we must do what they do better to stand out.  Take Markelle Taylor for example.  After years in prison that felt like they would never end, Taylor joined his center’s local bible study and 1000 mile running club.  And with thousands of hours spent running and reading the Lord's word under his belt, his time for parole arrived.  And when it finally did, he competed in the Boston Marathon and got a job in his neighborhood.  Like the strenuous hours that Taylor put in, it often doesn’t take anything special to embark on a new journey.  All you have to do is continue to do the same things, but this time with diligence and excellence.  Reinvention can feel scary though, and that’s why McKay tries to constantly make the right decisions that support his future and goals.  So like him, spend some time soon thinking about your purpose and what changes you need to make in your life to take yourself to the next level.The Finer Details of This Episode: The story of WalmartTake actionAdapting and overcomingDo what others do but betterMarkelle Taylor  and the 1000 mile clubBecoming a first class noticerDoing things with excellenceBritish Petroleum’s fatal mistakeQuotes: “You see early on, Wal-Mart built new stores, not in large city markets, but rather in rural markets.  Because in rural markets, Sam was competing against mom-and-pop independent retailers who suffered from lack of volume or economies of scale.”“And for many of us, the type of reinvention and work required to shift midstream can seem overwhelming.”“The way things used to work aren’t working so well anymore.”“ But like Walmart, my experience is that you make the very best decision you can and move forward keeping your options open to modify and adapt.”“You and I, too, can do the same.  We can run, work, lead, serve like others but we can do it better. Don’t be afraid, like Markelle, to follow the advice of others to get you running.  Then once you’re running, run better.”“The pivot required in our life to face new circumstances often doesn’t involve doing new things.  It requires doing old things with excellence. “Now one of the most important lessons to take away from this podcast today, is the realization that what got you here may not get you to where you want to go.  Spend some time soon thinking about this principle and getting purposeful about what you are going to do to move you and your business and your team and your family to the next level.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Decision making remains a core life skill that benefits you and those who learn from you for years to come. In this week’s episode, McKay breaks down the importance of decision making and teaches listeners how to become better decision makers themselves.McKay begins by citing 9/11 as an incident that highlights the critical importance of decision making. He explains how rapid decisions had to be made on that day and how this impacted the USA. McKay also delves into the science behind decision making and explains how the 37% rule can help people make decisions. He advises listeners to ignore the rumors on social media and always research to make knowledgeable decisions. Finally, McKay explains the different biases that affect our decision making and how to counter them.The Finer Details of This Episode:The story of 9/11: making difficult decisions The science of decision making What is the 37% rule? How does knowledge impact decision making? The dangers of social media based decision making What biases affect our decisions?Quotes:“Some of the hardest decisions are hard because we have imperfect information, and there's uncertainty and risk associated with making those decisions.”“Often, the impact of a decision lasts long after the decision is made.”“We've all fallen prey to analysis paralysis. And we've all likely lost out on something promising because it took too long for us to decide.”“There is a statistically proven answer as to how long or how many options you should consider before making this type of decision.”“Science tells us that people who have a broad knowledge in the subject area related to the decision have a higher likelihood of deciding better. So know your circumstances, and be knowledgeable about a lot of things having to do with the subject of your decision.”“Learn all you can know while you can. If you're in business, learn the science of it. Understand all you can about how to bring customers to your business and what type of person to team up with and how to help them move faster and more productively.”“Know your space. There are so many reliable books and people who can help you get educated.”“It is impossible to be both ignorant and a good decision maker.”“If you're unwilling to take time to read and search and think critically, you are left to make decisions based on poor data, particularly in today's day and age in which anyone can post anything online.”“Don't make permanent decisions out of temporary emotion.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

In this week's episode, McKay discusses the importance of building and investing in your brand. We all have a brand which we create and build daily, and today, McKay shares the secrets on how to create that brand, how to keep the brand alive, and how to fulfill the purpose of whatever brand we create.He begins looking at the importance of brand building by sharing a story of the Superbowl and why many brands advertise during the Superbowl. McKay goes on to explain how Amazon became the biggest brand and why branding is essential in our lives. He also discusses the steps of successful branding which include knowing what your audience values in you and then creating a brand promise. Above all, McKay explains that keeping and communicating your brand promise while being consistent are the key ingredients to building a successful brand.The Finer Details of This Episode:Why many brands spend a lot to advertise in the Superbowl How Amazon became the biggest brand in the world The history of branding The steps of brand building The story behind Cocomelon’s branding Creating a brand promise Keeping and communicating your brand promiseQuotes:“During the Superbowl, consumers watch on an average eighty-nine commercials for an average of forty-six and a half minutes.”“To say your brand is your name or the name of your product or company is accurate, but not complete. Over the years, marketers have worked to create a specific perception in customers' minds of the qualities and attributes associated with their brand. So, a brand is the way a product, company or individual is perceived by those who experience it or them.”“Your brand is the perception in other people's minds of the qualities and attributes associated with you, with your brand.”“We all have a brand. And each day we're building, shaping, and creating that brand.”“A brand is more than reputation. It represents a mark of trust and confidence in you. ”“We often fail in creating a brand because we don't adequately assess what people or consumers are looking for.”“If you know what your business partners, kids, customers, or friends really value in you or your product, you have a winning brand concept.”“When your customers have finished using your product or service, when team members reflect on your relationship with them, when your kids look back on their life with you, how do you want them to describe their experience?”“Strong brands deliver on their promise.”“Consistency pays.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

McKay kicks off today’s Open Your Eyes episode by sharing his wisdom about failures and flops, specifically how some of the world’s greatest success stories followed in the footsteps of rather embarrassing failures.  Take Dick Fosbury, Brian Epstein, or Tiger Woods for example.  Even J.K Rowling was a homeless, single mother by the time she began to write the world’s most beloved children series.  Suffering at the hands of an abuser and reckoning with her mother’s death, Rowling felt like the biggest failure she knew.  But she decided to work hard and make use of that wild imagination of hers to overcome and become the writer she knew she could be.  It took Rowling a little over three years to get her book published, but her fortitude and dedication paid off.  And it will for you too.  Making mistakes can often deter us from following our dreams, when instead, we should see these moments as opportunities to learn from.  After all, if you don’t try, you’ll never know.  So embrace the educational chance to learn from your flops.  McKay knows it’s not easy, but he also knows that our imaginations are far richer than one would think. So abandon the fear of flopping, jump right in, and use that imagination to see a path through.  The Finer Details of This Episode:The Fosbury FlopJ.K. Rowling embracing her dreamsLearning from mistakesLeaving your comfort zoneImagining new futuresQuotes: “While you and I may never jump over a 7-foot high jump bar or even try the high jump, we will all likely flop or at least benefit from someone else’s flop.”“I stopped pretending I was anything other than what I was. I determined more than I had ever determined to do what I was meant to do—to write. I finally knew inside I was a writer. I was alive, I had a beautiful daughter and a typewriter.”“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.  Failure gave me inner security and taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way.”“Don’t quit. Don’t let the flop of the moment keep you from stepping up and trying again.  Stand in your place, wherever you are, and know that you can and will rise.”“So, keep believing.  Your current flops can enable the highest jumps of all.  And the thing is, when we flop, we can see and relate to others in ways we didn’t know before.”“And the truth is that for all of us in life, things we used to do with ease get a little harder. Expectations we have aren’t always met like we wish they would.  Life will take from us things we used to take for granted, and getting old is not for sissies.”“When you’re in the middle of a flop, let your imagination come to your aid.  You can see a different future, a better reaction, how other people feel, and what you can do to be of help to others.”“Whatever flops may be present in your life today, use your imagination to see a way through them. And when others flop, tip your hat, learn from their experience and give all the grace you can.”Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Today, McKay reflects on the curves we all experience in the road of life and discusses how we can not only cope but also thrive when life throws us a curve. He discusses how leaning into life can make all the difference.  He opens up today’s episode on an unexpected note, recounting the trials and tribulations of the world’s famous eating contest competitors.  And while McKay doesn’t expect you to become Nathan’s next hotdog eating champion, he does hope that you lean in and commit to whatever endeavors you decide to pursue in this life the way those champions do.  Give it your all - don’t just dip your toe in.  McKay goes on to urge the audience to inspire others to lean into their own lives and goals as well, especially when working in a team.  When all group members are leaning in with their own unique skill sets, the team is more likely to thrive. It’s important to remember that life will still throw you curveballs, and it can be easy just to give up.  But, just like in baseball, if you strike out, there will always be another chance to try again.  Take Clay Dyer, professional sport bass fisherman, for instance; born without an arm on his left side and half an arm on the opposite, he made it his goal to become a fisherman, despite the unlikelihood of him making it big.  But because he leaned in, he made it happen. Learn to lean into life and you can make great things happen as well.The Finer Details of This Episode: The grit in eating contestsCommitting The story of John HancockInspiring othersLeaning into the turn on a bikeCoping with curveballsClay DyerQuotes: “Now, it's not likely that you and I are going to become professional speed eaters, but you have to admire a few things about these people. They are seriously committed to what they do. They lean into it with all their appetites.”“Let's say you've decided to give an online business a try. When you only dip your toe in the water, when you only give it a balanced effort, when you never lean fully into it, you're not likely to do as well.”“When you lean into people, when you're inclined towards their potential, they often rise and they often improve, and I was reminded how much other people need us to lean into them and have faith in them.”“When you find something you love, lean in and recognize that, in the game of life, you will strike out a few times at the plate.”“When a batter goes to bat, he'll get a hit 30% of the time. Players that hit .300 get paid the most, and they feel great about their performance. And you know what? We ought to feel the same. You don't win every time, and life isn't fair.”“Whatever you lean into will make the difference. So as we end today, remember, like competitive eaters, it doesn't matter what you've chosen to do, or what you've decided to be remarkable at doing. Lean into it with all your heart, focus and effort.”“Lean in.  Give what you have. At least, you'll learn and grow, and, at most, you'll succeed beyond your expectations.”Links: Open Your Eyes With McKay Christiansen

In the episode of Open Your Eyes, McKay discusses a grip that often takes hold in our life and directs our actions.  This grip, which McKay describes at the jaws of life, often lurks just outside our view and, little by little, changes the way we think, act, and live. What are these jaws?  Habits.  These habits can change our view of reality and over time pull us in a direction we otherwise would not go.  McKay discusses how we can avoid the jaws of life and build productive habits that help us live a healthy life.This episode opens with a narration of the tragic death of young Lane Graves who lost his life to the jaws of an alligator. Like Lane, McKay says many of us are pulled in opposite directions by the jaws of life. The reason? Our habits. McKay explains the power of habits and what happens when you lose control to poor habits. He describes how the habit of complacency causes us to settle and highlights the need to avoid the habit of pulling others down. Mckay draws this important episode to a close by detailing how to form new habits through creating a keystone habit and changing the habit loops in which we often find ourselves. Listen in today and gain a better understanding of these jaws of life and how to direct your life in a positive fashion.The Finer Details of This Episode:The tragic death of Lane Graves How the jaws of life grip and affect us The power of habits What happens when your habits take control of your life? How to avoid complacency in life How habits are formed Overcoming your habits What is a keystone habit? The dangers of putting others downQuotes:“There are jaws in our life that hold our future and how we live in their grip. And like an alligator's forceful grip, these forces in our life can seize control, and pull us in one direction or another.”“Habits can grip your life and carry you in a positive or negative direction. And the difference between the positive and negative is how purposefully you approach life.”“The key question is, are you directing your life, or are your habits directing you?”“If there's a plague in our generation today, it is more ease, more time, more leisure, and more choices. And all of these things can be blessings, and curses, depending on how we use them. Use them wisely and you can craft a meaningful life, a life of purpose.  Use them unwisely and the opposite will happen.”“We are what we repeatedly do. Laziness or complacency then is not an act, but a habit.”“There's greater rest and peace in a life with purpose.”“When I have a purpose that consumes my thinking, I am much more apt to create habits to meet that purpose.”“Displacement involves taking a hostile emotion from one situation and transferring it to another.”“Starting small allows you to find success on your way to larger habit changes.”Show Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

On this episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay  introduces the audience to the practice of showing up. He opens up the conversation by sharing the resilient story of Jane Marczewski, America’s Got Talent competitor, 2-time cancer survivor, and beautiful singer. Despite all of the unfair challenges that seemed to hold her back, namely a long battle with cancer and an unexpected divorce, Jane continued to show up each and every day. McKay believes that’s the secret to success: the more we show up for ourselves and others, the more we develop healthy habits and increase our chances of being in the right place at the right time.A simple act such as going to the gym to run every morning might not seem like a life changing pursuit, but the more you show up for yourself consistently, the more content and proud of yourself you will be. 80% of the battle is showing up after all. Waking up and driving to the gym before the sun rises is the hard part. McKay draws this episode to a close by recounting the trials and tribulations of Tony Romo’s quarterback career with the Dallas Cowboys. After graduating from a lackluster football program and not being selected during the draft, Tony Romo showed up day after day, determined to improve his game. As we, and the football community, know, he went on to do just that with immense success. And here’s the thing - you can too. By showing up for yourself and others, you will start to notice yourself thriving in all aspects of your life.The Finer Details of This Episode:Jane Marczewski's story of resiliency Showing up for yourself Showing up for loved ones Developing habits Tony Romo’s fortitudeQuotes:“Here she was, 30-years old, a two-time cancer survivor, divorced, trying to survive in the up and down life of writing music, trying to keep her faith despite life letting her down every time she seemed to rise.”“It’s important that everyone knows that I am so much more than the bad things that happen to me. You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”“Team members who show up for their team find their team often shows up for them.”“I have become a better person by trying to show up for other people. My disposition is different. I feel closer to people. I am more aware and self-aware in the process.”“Just showing up at the gym or on the running path may not sound like a big deal, but each time you show up, it’s a tiny victory.”“Being in the right place at the right time is a key to success. When you show up consistently, you create more chances that you’re in the right place when opportunities appear. Whether you keep looking for the right job or finding customers for your new business, showing up will drive you to find the opportunity you want.”Links:Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen